Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (better known as Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend) is a romantic comedy anime produced by A-1 Pictures.
The story centers on Tomoya Aki, a devoted otaku with big dreams of creating a groundbreaking visual novel. To bring his vision to life, he enlists the help of his childhood friend Eriri Spencer Sawamura as illustrator and his highly talented senpai, Utaha Kasumigaoka, as scriptwriter.
Tomoya’s search for the perfect heroine takes an unexpected turn when he meets a quiet, seemingly ordinary girl, Megumi Katou, who ends up becoming the model for his main character.
The series blends romance, comedy, and harem elements, with Tomoya voiced by none other than Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, often dubbed the “harem king” of anime voice actors. But behind the laughs and lighthearted banter, Saekano explores the struggles of creativity, passion, and the reality that to move players’ hearts, creators must first experience those emotions themselves.
If you’re planning to dive into Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, here’s the recommended watch order to follow the story smoothly:
How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Watch Order
How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend: Chronological Order
- Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (2015)
- Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend ♭ (2017)
- Saekano the Movie: Finale
1. Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (2015)
- Episodes: 12
The story follows Tomoya Aki, a high school otaku who balances part-time jobs to support his love for anime and games. By chance, he meets Megumi Katou, a strikingly beautiful yet understated girl, and this encounter sparks a chain of relationships that reshape his world.
Alongside Megumi, two key figures join Tomoya’s journey: Eriri Spencer Sawamura, his childhood friend harboring complicated feelings, and Kasumigaoka Utaha, a celebrated literary prodigy admired for her intellect and cool, collected personality.
Together, they form a small doujin circle that grows into an indie studio, navigating the demanding yet exciting world of creative production. From the trials of Comiket to the emotional challenges of collaboration, the series highlights not just romance and comedy, but also the passion, conflict, and determination that fuel the pursuit of art.
2. Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (2017)
- Episodes: 12
The second season of Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend picks up with Blessing Software as they push forward in their mission to create the ultimate visual novel. While the team completes their first route, new challenges quickly emerge.
A central issue is Megumi Katou, whose understated and seemingly plain personality makes it hard for her to fit Tomoya Aki’s vision of the perfect heroine. Compared to the more vibrant Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Utaha Kasumigaoka, and Michiru Hyoudou, Megumi often fades into the background, leading her contributions to be overlooked.
This season digs deeper into the realities of creative production—tight deadlines, constant revisions, and the pressure of balancing personal ambitions with group dynamics. At its core, the story highlights not just the pursuit of making a hit visual novel but also the struggles of collaboration, self-expression, and finding value in every member of the team.
3. Saekano the Movie: Finale
- Episodes: 1 Movie
After Eriri and Utaha part ways with Blessing Software, the circle undergoes a major shift. Tomoya, together with Megumi, Izumi, Michiru, and Hashima, takes on the challenge of developing their next visual novel. But the road ahead is far from simple. Tomoya, tasked with crafting the route for Meguri, the new main heroine, finds himself stuck in a creative slump that threatens to stall the project.
Meanwhile, Eriri and Utaha pursue their own careers, working on the ambitious title Fields Chronicle. Yet even outside Blessing Software, the two face their own set of struggles—balancing professional expectations with personal aspirations.
The season unfolds by getting deep into each character’s trials, blending the personal tensions, creative hurdles, and emotional growth that come with the pursuit of making a visual novel. It’s a story not only about building a game but also about the evolving bonds between people chasing the same dream.
