“Otaku Tomoya forms a doujin circle to create a visual novel, inspired by a girl named Megumi.”
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend
冴えない彼女〈ヒロイン〉の育てかた
Would You Love or Hate This?
AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Otaku Tomoya forms a doujin circle to create a visual novel, inspired by a girl named Megumi.
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.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 116 sampled reviews
What 116 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.06 · split reception
5.5 pts
Recommenders 8.3 · others 2.8
↑ 1.38
Running avg · Mar 2015 → Apr 2025
- 8 “I have mixed feeling when I watched this anime. It's the type of anime that is considerably good but you might feel there's something missing (I hope it will get sorted out in season 2). Don't get...”
- 10 “This show does a service to Otakus and the culture. To top it all of it has harem which in my opinion was done very well executed and developed. You get to see all the character grow and shine in...”
- 8 “Saekano rises above typical harem fare by delivering a cast so interesting and sympathetic that you end up rooting for every girl instead of resenting the “extras.” Each heroine feels like she...”
Watch Order & Related
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See all credits →Production slate
- Format 12 × 23′ eps × min
- Total runtime 4h 36m all episodes
- Aired Jan 2015 – Mar 2015 Winter 2015
- Source Tv media type
- Rated PG 13 - Teens 13 or older
- Ref. BS-8850 catalog
Produced by
- Aniplex Producer
- Dentsu Producer
- Fuji TV Producer
- Half H.P Studio Producer
- Cospa Producer
- Fujipacific Music Producer
- Good Smile Company Producer
- Kyoraku Industrial Holdings Producer
- Kansai Telecasting Producer
- Fujimi Shobo Producer
Licensed by
- Aniplex of America Licensor