Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend

Tomoya Aki is an otaku with one big goal: build the ultimate visual novel. He fixes on Megumi Kato, a quietly ordinary classmate who, to his eye, embodies a strangely perfect heroine despite her lack of presence. To turn that spark into a finished game he recruits a small crew of talented friends—an illustrator, a scenarist, a musician and a voice actress—each bringing strong opinions, differing ambitions and personal baggage. The series follows their creative process, the friction that comes from clashing styles and egos, and the awkward romantic tensions that grow as the project moves forward, all without revealing any major plot twists or final outcomes.

Released in 2015, the anime adapts Fumiaki Maruto's light novel series and was produced by A-1 Pictures, bringing the original illustrations and scripted scenarios to television with a polished studio production.

The show resonated inside anime fandom as a meta take on otaku creativity and production culture. Its portrayal of game development, character design arguments and romantic rivalry spurred fan discussions, plenty of fan art and a steady stream of merchandise and cosplays tied to its cast.

Critical reaction was mixed, reflected in a 6.777/10 average from 83 votes. Reviewers and viewers often praised the series for its animation quality and attractive character designs, while some noted uneven tone and reliance on harem conventions. Recurring themes include teamwork under pressure, how fandom shapes creative choices, and the gap between idealized characters and real people.

It did not secure major industry awards, yet it kept a loyal audience who highlighted the voice cast performances and visuals. The series' popularity in fan communities helped sustain interest through additional media and discussions rather than formal accolades.