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Synopsis
Tomoya Aki, an otaku, has been obsessed with collecting anime and light novels for years, attaching himself to various series with captivating stories and characters. Now, he wants to have a chance of providing the same experience for others by creating his own game, but unfortunately, Tomoya cannot do this task by himself. He successfully recruits childhood friend Eriri Spencer Sawamura to illustrate and literary elitist Utaha Kasumigaoka to write the script for his visual novel, while he directs. Super-group now in hand, Tomoya only needs an inspiration to base his project on, and luckily meets the beautiful, docile Megumi Katou, who he then models his main character after. Using what knowledge he has, Tomoya creates a new doujin circle with hopes to touch the hearts of those who play their game. What he does not realize, is that to invoke these emotions, the creators have had to experience the same feelings in their own lives. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Related Anime
Adaptation:
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata
Prequel:
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata: Ai to Seishun no Service-kai
Sequel:
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata ♭: Koi to Junjou no Service-kai
Here's a show with an interesting theme About an otaku with a dream: To create a new game That puts all else to shame And produced by the girls from his team One day he met a girl dressed in white It was a case of love at first sight Except instead of love It was rather kind of Like he wanted her soul's copyright She would model for the female lead For the game; he made sure she agreed But despite interests joint To just get to that point There was one more thing that they would need So he then asked with all of his heart If his tsundere friend could take part Since under a fake name She'd gotten tons of fame For her professional hentai art Lastly the top student of his grade With the plotline, he asked for her aid But as he came to see What she wrote up was the Most ridiculous script ever made So at last the circle was created Which made the protag oh so elated However although he Did not care 'bout 3D All the girls thought of him as their fated So they did everything that they could To ensure that the game would be good And when there was a chance At him they'd steal a glance Whilst pretending to work as they should Overall it was touching and cute But there's more where that came from to boot If you thought that was it Please calm down for a bit That was still just the very first route! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Saekano; quite possibly the most positively surprising show of the season. First of all I would like to say that despite the ecchi tag; the fanservice in this show is very light (other than episode 00). In reality, Saekano is much more similar to shows like Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai, OreImo and Outbreak Company as it has a character cast mainly consisting of otakus, and it consistently parodies and makes fun of today's anime industry as well as the eroge market as a whole. In case that wasn't clear, the story is about your typical high-school otaku named Tomoya who has a dream of creating 'the ultimate galge' that can touch the hearts and souls of everyone playing it. In order to do so he seeks the help of his tsundere childhood friend Eriri who secretly works as a hentai doujinshi artist on her spare time, as well as the so-called 'smartest girl in school' Utaha who is a famous romance light novel author. Together they form a doujin circle and seek to create a homemade galge in order to fulfill Tomoya's dream. As the icing on the cake however, Tomoya also recruits his completely plain and emotionless classmate Megumi to join the circle, with the intention of 'training' her into becoming the model for the game's main heroine. It's a very silly concept that doesn't take itself seriously whatsoever, but as a result it's surprisingly entertaining. If you're well-versed in today's anime industry, along with all the moe and ecchi shows that come out these days, then you'll probably like this show a lot because the endless references and parodies of it are absolutely hilarious. If you also happen to play visual novels, then it'll be even better still. I familiarized myself a lot with this anime, and as a result it almost never failed to put a smile on my face. Over time, there are some moments when the show gets a bit more serious on the romance/drama front but it still keeps it fairly light and doesn't go past the point where it starts feeling cliché. This pleased me a lot, because Saekano is truly at its best when it's being non-serious, light-hearted and just plain fun. All-in-all, out of all the various comedies, harems and other simplistic shows of that nature from the Winter 2015 season, I'd definitely have to say this is the best one. This is mainly because a) it actually feels fresh and not overused by any means, and b) it's actually extremely funny. If you like moe and/or ecchi shows, play visual novels or just like to have a good laugh, then I'd recommend giving Saekano a shot. You probably won't regret it.
12 of 12 episodes seen
deepbluejeer(All reviews)
240 people found this review helpful
Overall
3
Story
3
Animation
5
Sound
3
Character
5
Enjoyment
5
Saekano is the most frustrating kind of bad show: the kind which could have been legitimately good if it tried. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hyped for Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (Saekano for short) at the start of winter 2015. It’s a shiny new adaptation of Fumiaki Maruto’s light novel series – the same Fumiaki Maruto who wrote White Album 2, which got an anime around a year and a half ago. He also wrote Parfait and Sekai de Ichiban NG na Koi – both of which I’ve seen glowing reviews of. Naturally, I’d expect Saekano to be something close to his work in eroge. I probably should’ve listened to the warning signs. Certain Maruto fans on Twitter had already panned the show and the LN for being self-gratifying otaku humor. People who have watched the first two episodes called the show obnoxious for having snarky commentary on its clichés while also indulging in them. But let’s give credit where it’s due: Saekano isn’t complete trash. I would probably be more forgiving of the show if it were: it’s easier to let go of a show that’s a total failure than a show that flubbed with its great ideas. There are two things that Saekano did well in portraying: the relationship between consumer and creator, and the character of Katou Megumi. Let’s start with the former. Episode 6 of Saekano is the first episode where I thought the show was being genuine. The episode frames Utaha as the creator and Tomoya the consumer, and the show asks: how far should an author go to in trying to please their readers? And I feel that the show gave a good answer to the question: fans want something that the creator wrote, not something that would go with their expectations. The framing of the scene was even reminiscent of White Album 2: two high school kids throwing their emotions at each other under the snow might be a clichéd scene, but if there’s anyone who can make it work, it’s Fumiaki Maruto. Episode 9 is another good episode that gave Eriri much-needed characterization past her generic tsundere shtick. This time, the show asks why a creator, well, creates works for fans – for whose sake are they putting out content? Again, the show frames this question with Tomoya as the consumer and Eriri as the creator: does Eriri draw so she can get better for her fans, or does she just draw to satisfy herself and stay where she is? Eriri finds her foot forward when she decides to get better at drawing to win over Tomoya and satisfy her fans. The show doesn’t give a complete answer, but it gave her character a push forward. Ultimately, I think Saekano’s best point was Katou Megumi’s character: the deadpan non-otaku who joins the group as the “main heroine”. There’s no mistaking that the title’s “boring heroine” refers to Katou: the show keeps referring to her as having “no character” and a “half-assed personality”. On the contrary, her character doesn’t conform to the show’s pre-established archetypes: even though she doesn’t stand out within the show, Katou is perhaps the most memorable character because she’s not a generic archetype. And this is what I think the show was trying to accomplish with Katou: characters should be people, and not just generic archetypes. Unfortunately that's where the show’s good points stop. The conversation between Eriri and Tomoya from the start of episode 5 exemplifies what exactly makes the show so frustrating: “But I just want to always be myself.” “That’s impossible. Everyone has a secret side to them.” “But… Katou doesn’t, does she?” “She’s a non-otaku, but even when mixed up with us otaku, she stayed exactly the same as she was, right?” It's an insightful conversation, only to be cut short by Eriri acting like the stock tsundere archetype. Saekano knows that Katou stands out the most among the characters, and it knows that characters that follow archetypes like Eriri need to have more than their shallow character traits. The show demonstrates a degree of awareness of its clichés – it knows that its characters are generic archetypes, and Katou serves as a direct contrast to them. But that’s where it stops – it’s satisfied at being aware of its clichés, but never does anything to rise up above them. Even worse, the show’s title and all of the show’s characters want Katou to become one of them: a generic character who talks and responds to situations with nothing but stock phrases. It’s hypocritical and obnoxious – in short, it’s a show that gives advice and chooses not to follow it. But I would’ve been okay with the show if it had stopped there. Instead, Episode 10 onwards indulges in all the trashy tropes that it comments on. Episode 10 throws all subtlety out of the window and pours male gaze all over the show, not to mention indulging in classy humor such as flashing a girl. It’s not even the more sensual kind of fanservice like episode 6’s Utaha scene where she puts on her stockings. It’s the point where the show stops trying and just revels in all the trashy LN tropes we all love and “cleverly” comments on all of them. This show is completely in love with itself and all of the trashy things that it comments on. The bottom line: if you’re watching this because you heard it was by White Album 2’s author, don’t bother. If you’re watching this expecting a trashy, fanservice-y show, you’re better off watching an actual trashy, fanservice-y show, because shows like those don’t bother pretending that they’re not trashy, fanservice-y crap. Saekano is obnoxious, hypocritical, and pretentious. Avoid it like the big, stinky turd that it is. (Full review with images here: https://oneofepisodes.wordpress.com/2015/04/17/saekano-how-to-write-a-stinking-pile-of-crap/)
12 of 12 episodes seen
Candangz(All reviews)
208 people found this review helpful
Overall
8
Story
7
Animation
9
Sound
8
Character
8
Enjoyment
9
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata, or Saekano for reduce, is an anime where the protagonist is an otaku who wants to fulfill his dream of creating a galgame, after meeting his beautiful heroine in a captivating scene in which his hat flies downhill, stopping near of protagonist, who is shocked to see a girl with such beauty. To follow his dream of creating a game, he forms your harem... I mean, your team, with qualified people in various areas which are needed to create a game, but with unique personalities, which consequently develops a bit of humor on the series thanks to this factor, and then from there the story begins to unfold. Obviously what will be written from here is my opinion on the series. I'm available to discuss the show with anyone who's interested, regardless of have or not agreed with the content of the review. To be quite honest, the story isn't entirely creative, but so doesn't cease to be fun. The protagonist's idea do everything to chase his dream is very common, including in reality, to be exact. But the situations created in the course of the series are funny, somewhat pleasant, and usually force a smile of who is watching. Are jokes that fit well with the situation that is happening on moment. At certain times these jokes or funny moments, mix a little with fanservice, and to be honest, it doesn't bother me much, since the series doesn't use just this artifice in your episodes. In my opinion is a quantity dosed, if I may say so. Watch the reaction of the protagonist in these moments is funny, but at certain times he just exaggerating with screams and unique reactions. Anyway, to sum up, the story is quite normal, but the situations created at certain times are funny, which to my view, gives a positive point for the series. The design in overall is very good. In this regard, the studio did a great job on show, because characters and scenary interact well, making the characters more interesting to observe, and in compensation the series becomes more enjoyable to watch. Those traits help the spectator to identify or admire some specific character. I don't have a lot to talk about this aspect of design, since, in my opinion, it's quite satisfactory. The anime soundtrack is pretty interesting, because I really liked the music and sound effects produced in the series. About the dubbing of characters, most of the dubbers have adapted well to the characters, with the exception of the protagonist. I mean, it's not that don't fit well, because it was actually done an interesting job here, but in my opinion the 'Kirito's voice' is already a bit saturated, appearing in many recent anime. Nothing against the dubber's work, only in my view, he could at the same trying to change the voice in different characters. I'm not saying that's easy, since I have no experience in the subject, but over time the viewers can get tired of it. The other characters, have gained many good voice, and in my view, fit well with their appearances and personalities. The Utaha's dubber helped to define your firm and unforgiving personality. The Eriri's dubber combined very well with the style of tsundere character, and the Katou's dubber, in my opinion, was perfect. I loved watching the anime and accompany the Katou expressing his style confused and distant in their various moments in the series. The characters themselves are unusual, because according to Katou, all three beyond are big figures in school where they study, once otakus, in several other stories tend to be despised. It is normal to think that the Eriri and Utaha are famous for their physical appearance and the way you act different with other people, I just don't really understand why the Tomoya is an important figure there inside. Since this isn't the focus, end up not being so important think much about it. Utaha is an interesting character, because in addition to having a beauty that highlights, has a job, or hobby, unusual to a student, and has a very interesting personality, what makes it endearing. Eriri is a typical tsundere of serie, and that prides itself (although she can't admit) be a childhood friend of Tomoya. Usually is the one that is paying attention on Tomoya, and gets annoyed with the jokes and approaches which Utaha makes to induce Tomoya, one since most of them are quite bold. Michiru appeared at the last moment, but ended up being really cool and provided funny moments, being the main, but not unique, base of the fanservice. Katou is the most interesting of all, in my opinion, because it can be one of the more normal characters I've ever seen in anime. Has weak presence and sometimes the other characters don't notice her in around. Your reactions are unexpectedly normal when it addresses an unknown subject or that it's not in your best interest, and it ends up becoming one of its charms. She's so normal that it's a very different character compared to several others. Tomoya is a standard otaku, with strong personality, which eventually can be annoying, but is the center of history and ensures the laughter in series, once your reactions towards the other girls are typical and funny. The series itself in general is quite satisfactory, can please diverse audiences. Maybe just disappoint people hoping for a serious romance, since you shouldn't expect that in anime with the harem genre. Who likes a mild romcom, Saekano is a very interesting show to watch, because hours have comedies, dramas and pinches of fanservice. Has a common storyline, but enjoyable. Was well on several counts. It's a great entertainment and fun guaranteed.
12 of 12 episodes seen
poorqs(All reviews)
118 people found this review helpful
Overall
8
Story
10
Animation
10
Sound
8
Character
10
Enjoyment
10
What does it take to create a dating SIM which will cause people to laugh and cry, but also touch their hearts? This was a question our main character asked himself, which sparked the beginning of the roller-coaster of laughs we call Saekano. I’m sure when we were younger you’ve all had dreams and goals you wanted to achieve when you get older. The anime tells the epic adventure it took our MC, Tomoya Aki, to achieve his goal of creating a game, complete with all the girl problems, and sexual harassments he receives each day from his devious co-workers. While I was scrolling through the notoriously long new anime section of an unnamed website “how to raise a boring girlfriend” caught my eye, then I thought to myself “better take some notes.” At first glance Saekano looks like an average rom-com anime, and being your normal rom-com lover I decided to give it a try, and let me tell you I was definitely in for a treat. Saekano is one of those anime’s that you just can't get enough of, not a single episode has left me without tears rolling down my face from laughter. [Story] The story kicks off on a sunny spring day in which the wind blows the hat off of a fair maiden, which of course Tomoya was there to pick it up for her, and give it back. That event was what inspired Tomoya to make a dating SIM, he also envisioned that, that exact event would serve to be a flawless opening scene with the maiden as the main character. And as far as we know the “perfect girl” doesn’t exist, because Tomoya later finds out that in reality the maiden wasn't very “fair,” in fact, apart from her beauty, she’s just about the most ordinary girl ever. She was so ordinary that Tomoya didn't realize that she was in his class. The plot is centered on our protagonist Tomoya Aki and his associates, the busty, but intelligent Utaha senpai, the flat but ill-mannered Eriri Spencer, and of course the ordinary girl, Katou Megumi. Saekano takes a slow start, as it takes several episodes for Mr. Aki to convince his unwilling companions to aid him in making his game. But after that the pacing of the anime is quite steady. It’s sad that this anime is limited only to 12 episodes, which for me is definite con, because there could’ve been so much more character, and plot development. [Characters] The characters are definitely where the anime excels the most at. Each of the female protagonists, with the exception of Katou, have an ornate, and well developed backstory with Tomoya. Throughout the plot the author slowly elaborates more on the characters as if slowly giving us puzzle pieces to give us the better picture. But due to the anime only having 12 episodes, we never really get to see the full potential character development from all the characters. [Art] In my opinion, the A-1 pictures did a great job animating this anime. They used vibrant colors that really brought out carefree, and cheerful tone of the show. The animation style reminds me of Nisekoi another successful harem anime. The character designs to me were great, they followed the generic character designs of many harem, and romance animes.Don’t really see much cons of this art style unless you dislike the uniqueness of the art style. One thing that stood out to me was the insanely stubby fingers the characters have sometimes, especially while Utaha is typing. [Sound] The show had a solid, and well-built soundtrack, with dramatic sounding dramatic scenes, and cheerful music for happy scenes. Not much I can say but the soundtracks were sufficient for the show. Great choices in the voice actor department, what could go wrong Ai Kayano, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as 2 of your main characters? The OPs and EDs were lighthearted songs that complemented the show’s tone. They were not especially stunning but definitely not crappy. [Negatives] As a mentioned before several times, my biggest problem with this anime is that it only has 12 episodes, and because of this, we didn’t get to see the full potential of character development the show could’ve given us. Nor get to see a more complete full picture. But with the anime leaving off like this I’m sure that there would be second, or even a third season. The second thing I had a problem while watching the anime was the pacing of the, which i mentioned before was a bit too slow in the beginning. But towards the end of the show the pacing sped up again. [Enjoyment/ Overall] Q-What would you happen if you added together an eccentric rich girl, a beautiful female writer, a hardcore otaku, his musically blessed cousin, and an ordinary girl? A-You get Blessing Software, as well as one of the most well-made and hilarious rom-coms ever. After watching Oregairu, I fell in love with the rom-com genre. But it’s hard to find a well-made rom-com these days but this anime definitely didn’t disappoint me. I enjoyed everything in this show from Eriri’s hilarious tsundere personality to Utaha’s constant sexual harassments. I know some people criticize this show’s unrealistic plot, but honestly who watches an anime for its realism? Anime’s aren’t meant to be rated for its realistic elements but for its ability to entertain the viewer. And this is an anime that does exactly that. It’s an anime that focuses in on its characters, I’m definitely not saying that the plot is bad I’m just saying that the characters of the anime are the focal point, and make it worth watching. But just remember if you plan to watch Saekano, as their game progresses, hilarity ensues not far behind. Story-7 Art-10 Sound-8 Character-8 Enjoyment-9 Overall-8
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Poll: Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Episode 10 Discussion ( 1234 ) Stark700 - Mar 19, 2015
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Megumi Katou is front and centre for the newest visual of Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Season 2, which will air from April 14 on Fuji TV.
Main » Anime » Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata season 2 » Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata season 2
Trailer
Original name: 冴えない彼女(ヒロイン Country: Japan Director: Kamei Kanta Genre: Adventure, Anime Duration: 25 min.
Plot & Details
Anime tells about Tomoe Aki, high school students, which is extremely passionate about video games. Interest in the real world, he appears after an unexpected meeting with a beautiful woman Megumi Kato. Tomoya was inspired and decided to make the object of their feelings heroine of the computer game. He assembles a team to work on the game, but on the way he is one problem - Megumi is made dull and unremarkable. To make it a real heroine, Tomoe will have to work hard.
A funny and touching story of love gamer will continue in the new season. What adventures await the heroes and the challenges they will face on the way to their goal, we will know very soon. Already in the spring of next year there will be new series of anime on the screen Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend.
Example: 2019-12-03 - Official release/renewed date; 2019, to be announced - The date will be announced in 2019; Completed - This season is final; Cancelled - The anime has been cancelled after season this.
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata season 2 release date
Completed
Last updated: 2016-11-26 + Add official date
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