Arisunime — If you’re diving into Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (Japanese: Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata), following the right viewing order can enhance your emotional journey and understanding of the characters. This romantic-comedy anime, centered around an otaku game-making team and their personal relationships, unfolds most impactfully when watched in release order. Here’s a recommended sequence complete with brief synopses to guide you through the story from start to finish.
Recommended Watch Order
- Season 1 – Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (A-1 Pictures, January–March 2015)
Tomoya Aki, a high-school otaku working to fund his hobby, meets his nearly invisible classmate Megumi Kato and decides she’s the perfect “heroine” for his visual novel project. He recruits Eriri (art) and Utaha (scenario) to form the doujin circle “Blessing Software,” and they aim to sell their game at Comiket .
- Season 2 – Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat (A-1 Pictures, April–June 2017, with a special Episode 0 in April)
As the game takes shape, internal conflicts and personal ambitions begin to surface. Megumi’s quiet strength becomes increasingly central, and the team faces emotional challenges that test their bonds .
• Saekano the Movie: Finale (Fine) (CloverWorks, October 26, 2019)
In the final chapter, Tomoya and Megumi work on a new game for Blessing Software amid internal struggles. Emotional stakes rise and culminate in confessions, a kiss, and a poignant post-credits scene set ten years later—showing that Tomoya and Megumi are married and successful, with their friends by their side
Optional Bonus Episodes (OVAs / Specials)
These are nice add-ons but not critical to the main plot. Best enjoyed after each season for extra lighthearted moments:
• Season 1 Episode 0 – “Fan Service of Love and Youth” (special episode) .
• Season 2 Episode 0 – “Fan Service of Pure Love and Romance” (special episode).
Why This Order Works Best
Watching Saekano in release order—Season 1 → Season 2 → Movie—lets the emotional arc and character development unfold naturally, providing the strongest impact. The movie, as the final chapter, offers a deeply satisfying conclusion, especially when you’ve followed the characters’ relationships from the beginning. You can sprinkle in the OVAs afterward for extra charm and fan service.***
