Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Stefan_Stefanov
Absolutely phenomenal.
This anime is a complete story - 2 seasons and a movie (and some specials).
You have to watch all of it for the payoff, but trust me the payoff is absolutely fantastic, and it comes in the movie after season two.
The movie is without a doubt the best romantic anime I have ever watched. (or on par with Kaguya-sama)
This review pertains to the full show - 2 seasons + movie + specials.
It is quite original in my opinion, compared to other romance anime.
How so? Well it actually has plot/focus.
The characters have GOALS - and I mean real goals, whereas in other anime the romance is the goal itself, here is different.
While there are some tropes, with the 2 main girls especially - they will perhaps appear like a thousand other anime girls you have seen before. HOWEVER…
Read at the sourceCamtheman1221
This show is actually highly interesting at first, lures you in with a good plot, and interesting characters. I think the biggest part of this anime that makes it fall off very quickly is the story. Around, halfway or so, the story's plot is rather uninteresting. It loses its "interest" per se. However, this show does something unique with its characters, both satirizing the cliche's of the genre and using them at the same time. The best character is Kato though, her "boringness" is actually so, unboring it makes it really impossible to not like her. Though, the slow army crawl of the plot, mixed with the personality of its characters is the reason this "boring" show gets its 6/10 rating. Let's hope the 2nd season is actually raised boring(get it?).
Read at the sourceJezueldj
From the first season alone, this anime sets itself as a typical harem anime with only a few extra quirks. The series sets itself apart from the genre with two aspects, the main heroine, and the passion of creation.
With the story revolving around creating a video game, there are certainly moments where you can empathize with the main character's passion for otaku culture. The series focuses among many aspects of otaku media, whether it be light novels, video games, anime, or anisongs (Gurren Laggan makes an appearance, don't ask), the whole series is a love song towards those who make the media we love, and it can certainly inspire a will to create. It still can definitely gets overshadowed by the genre's tropes in many scenes, at least in this season.
The second appeal is the main heroi…
Read at the sourceRomanRonin
Saekano is the story of an otaku building a dating sim game with an ensemble of talented genius girls who happen to be in love with him. It's a fairly unique plot concept, and while the show is definitely more geared around the rom-com elements than actual game design, I think it does it well. In terms of its rom-com elements, Saekano does a good job of balancing all of the romantic interests against each other, rather than over or underdeveloping any one girl.
However, there are some flaws with the formula that I can't ignore, mainly with the MC. While Aki is a likable guy, he offers practically nothing to the group. Sure, this is meant to be a gag of sorts, but if he's not writing the story, drawing the art, coding the game, or otherwise contributing to the game, how is it even his gam…
Read at the sourceTheshoker456
i really liked it, considering the kind of genre, I've never seen better, looking forward to watching season 2, it was different, there was a goal, and there was romance, great,
Fresh Take on Rom-Com Tropes: It deconstructs and parodies typical romance and harem anime clichés while still delivering heartfelt and engaging moments.
Complex, Relatable Characters: The characters feel multi-dimensional, each with unique motivations, flaws, and growth that make them memorable and emotionally resonant.
Witty Dialogue: The script is filled with clever, fast-paced exchanges and humorous banter that keeps the story lively and fun.
Beautiful Visuals and Music: The animation is crisp and vibrant, with detailed character designs and excellent use of color. The soundtrack complements the mood, enha…
Read at the sourceMrSlamboni
This anime is so horrible it inspired me to make an account and start rating them. I was also left unsatisfied just rating it a 1 so now I'm writing a review for this. The show was boring at its best parts and completely insufferable every other time. A lot of the reviews refer to the fact that it's a parody. Parody of what? Parody of itself? It's a one-to-one copy of what it's trying to parody (apparently). Of course, this was completely lost on me because I assumed that the show was just that bad, and I still don't see how it's a parody.
The only good part is that the 'boring heroine' had some rare moments where at least there was something between the lines here and there. I do like it when I have to fire some neurons to connect with what a character is saying. That's it. Moving on to…
Read at the sourceKatadoxd
What is saekano? Well, it's the story of a boy who one day is inspired to make a visual novel that excites people. The premise may not sound so appealing at first glance, but once you start watching it you get immersed in this beatiful story.
Saekano is a romcom cliche who knows how to use them and make fun of them. In this story, we meet the typical childhood friend or the girl older than the main character. Then, we meet one of the most original heroines I've ever seen, an ordinary girl. And yes, it sounds crazy but that was the author's goal. Megumi is a fresh character, she feels real as her dialogues or actions are not exaggerated compared to most anime. She is presented as a flat and uncharismatic character to show that an ordinary girl can also be a heroine. The anime itself tells…
Read at the sourceOrizazaza
I like this anime because the comedy is light and can be understood by many people, especially people who don't understand Japanese culture like me for example, many anime drop because they don't connect with the jokes, but in this anime the jokes are well conveyed and not forced, but in my opinion the comedy and harem are too prominent, and fan service first, it's a bit annoying but not bad either, I'm a lover of slow phase anime, where the character development is clear, not just random. Season one is probably just the beginning, there is still a lot that hasn't been explored from the story, maybe in season two it will be explored more, the romance will be more pronounced, less ecchi and harem, I need a quality story not spammed by fan service, it's okay because if there is nothing like…
Read at the sourceAnimeExplorer21
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend - I decided to give this anime a shot considering the title but oh man this is one of the best anime i ever watched so far. I went in expecting a lighthearted rom-com, but what I got was a beautifully crafted story that tugged at my heartstrings.
Megumi, oh Megumi... she's literally the most adorable thing I've ever seen! I found myself cheering her on from the sidelines, eager to see her blossom into her own. And Tomoya? He's like the ultimate awkward otaku, but in a weird way, I kinda relate to him?
The comedy in this series had me LOL-ing so hard, but what really surprised me was the depth of the characters. Utaha's sassiness, Eriri's quirks, and Michiru's... well, Michiru's everything - they all added so much flavor to the story.
What really…
Read at the sourceEpicGamingChair
If you are looking for a generic rom-com then this is for you. Two out of the three main girls are already in love with him from episode 1 just that he loves 2D girls over 3D. The whole premise is he wants to create the best romance game, but has no motivation to actually do it. Totally relatable to everyone that goes to school and has homework due over the weekend.
The ecchi in this show is nonexistent until the last few episodes with Michiru, his cousin which makes perfect sense. Funny enough this was the best part as the fan service was good with touching scenes between them. The only thing bringing me back to watch is to hopefully see the mc get with Kato the emotionless heroine.
Honestly, I feel Kato steals the spotlight in the show as any moment she is a part of is funnier and mo…
Read at the sourceElhwing
Saekano is an amazing romcom, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in animes, even people who aren't too fond of harem shows.
I'll try to describe down below the many pros of this anime without spoiling anything.
- The animation is beautiful, saying it's similar to what we can find in high budget movies might be an exaggeration, but it's pretty close. There are many details, many objects in every scene, nice visuals, and the quality remains the same from episode 1 to 12.
- While the characters do have some clichés/usual tropes ( the tsundere, the kuudere ) they remain interesting enough, and there's also some development throughout the whole show. Furthermore, the male MC Tomoya isn't the loser type you can often find in harem shows, that's a pro on its own.
- The comedy is f…
Read at the sourceBabyBallDylan
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend seeks to answer a quintessential question that we've all asked ourselves at least once: what if we set a real girl in a romantic comedy anime? Pitted the best of the best tropes in Moe character writing against a dull, monotone teenager devoid of otaku cliches, would she blend in or stand out? Perhaps she would fade into the background behind the colorful eccentrics you'll undoubtedly find, or maybe her relatable nature will win everyone over? That question thoroughly explored not merely by this story's author, but by the characters themselves in a strangely meta plot.
Tomoya Aki is a second year high-school student and a hardcore otaku with no interest to spare for real girls. Until one day on his way to school, he stumbles upon Megumi Kato, her…
Read at the sourceArchaei
This show was very very much well made from almost every romance-comedy aspect of anime. The jokes and puns are well crafted, and even the plot and character developments are really in sync and well done. The vibes are also giving off the classic 2016 romance anime I love it so much and I am two steps away from giving this 10 star.
Edit, for review : this anime is one of those romance hidden gems that you should watch. It might seem mediocre at first, and pretty sure you'd get kinda lost the hype of this review at the first season, but its VERY WORTH IT to finish all the sequel. So, yeah. I guess, try to pick up this series i guess. Really recommended.
Read at the sourceOhsnapitsDavid
I loved this anime. I will give it a solid 8 just because it has nice production value, a likeable cast, and rewatch potential.
At its best, it has some funny parts, some emotional tropes, some interesting dialogue especially for fellow artists.
In its worst, it's a comedy with a casual school story.
The rewatch quality is due to all much fun it is to watch this harem go on. Like, I seriously need someone to narrate this race to be the best girl.
Just when you think you have a SLIGHT idea about who the main girl is, the story turns and continues up until the end. I don't even remember if it was included in this first season, but the second season continues in a similar race.
Overall, fun watch. The studio had a lot of fun with colors and certain tastes.
Utaha is best girl. You can vi…
Read at the sourceDrakestalker
The title is pretty self-explanatory. A high school loser obsessed with anime, light novels, and dating sims, gets inspired to create his own dating sim after he has a fateful encounter with an enchanting girl. He wants to base the main heroine of his game on the aforementioned girl. Alas, the girl turns out to have an oppressively boring personality. Will he be able to turn her into a main heroine everyone will adore? Watch to find out.
Having said that, should you actually watch it? Nah. I’m about to give you a spoiler, but it’s predictable as all hell, and you don’t really care, anyway. Look, I’m not one to get into best girl debates. Even if the one I consider to be best girl doesn’t win, I’m fine as long as a decent girl wins. This ain’t one of them stories. This is a story in which…
Read at the sourcespicarie
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata, also known as "How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend," is more than just a harem anime; it's a delightful tale of otaku passion, romantic dilemmas, and the challenges of creative collaboration. With its beautifully drawn characters, heartwarming moments, and clever humor, Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata is a must-watch for anyone who loves anime, especially those who appreciate the nuances of otaku culture.
A Harem of Beautifully Drawn and Talented Experts
At the heart of the story is Tomoya Aki, an unassuming high school student with a deep-seated passion for anime and visual novels. Inspired by a chance encounter with a mysterious girl, he embarks on the ambitious project of creating his own visual novel, aiming to capture the essence of the 'plain heroine.'
Alon…
Read at the sourceMarco_Yooo
THIS IS A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Saekano is a show that i watched on a whim. It is short, sweet and the premise interested me enough to give it a shot. Normally i take a lot of time before deciding to watch something because i am very scared of wasting my time, so my watchlist became an absolute warzone. But i bit the bullet and started Saekano. But was it worth it?
STORY – 7/10
First off, i have to say that although the plot is simple, the characters grounded and the fanservice manageable, this is not a show for beginners. The amount of references, otaku tropes, archetypes and inside jokes are to much to handle for someone who is not deeply into the otaku culture especially visual-novels, light novels and dating-sims. For someone like me, these references were an absolute joy to spot. Fro…
Read at the sourceMyrmiderp
Spoiler-free should-you-watch review of the entire series:
Early warning, in case you don't finish the review: I recommend skipping episode 0 and starting with episode 1, explanation buried below.
In short, Saekano is a harem anime with heavy male gaze that tries to stand out by 1) being extremely self-aware, and 2) directing its humor at otaku. These attempts range from cringe-y to super funny, so it's a bit of a mixed bag. Combine that with attractive character designs and a half-hearted drama that strengthens into an emotional romance over time, and you're left with something I'd describe as "pretty dang watchable". I had a good time. I'd even go so far to say that some elements are quite inspired. Though Saekano initially flounders in a sea of otaku humor and fanservice, it hones its…
Read at the sourcesirbigbeard
The best way I can describe how I feel after finishing this show is if I went outside, someone ran up to me and kicked my ass, but I was somehow also bored while they were doing it.
There are all the pieces of a good anime here, but they forgot to add in a little thing called dramatic tension. That would be bad enough, but I'm a sucker for good romance, so if the romance was good I could forgive it a little. Well its not good, it left me feeling disgusted, sad, and overall wishing I could wash it from my brain like drinking water after a foul meal.
Honestly, the whole thing had good writers, good artists, good voice actors, good sound, but felt so utterly soulless that I couldn't get invested in anything that was going on or any of the characters. There were a couple moments where I felt…
Read at the sourceDesi_soap
I just finished the anime and movie and it was fucking great. The movie and anime were both just extraordinary. The only downside was that it ended. This anime has a lot of self awareness which makes it really funny and it has a unique concept. The characters at first may seem generic but the story creates layers of the characters depth through each episode. Most of the characters there are really sweet and are just an enjoyment to watch. The drama starts to pick up in the second season which in a way is a roller coaster of emotions. The only problem is that this anime has somewhat of a slow start but was still very great. The movie concludes everything well to the point where I almost cried. It made me feel like I didn't want this anime to end. The unique concept also plays a big role whe…
Read at the source
