AnimeSuki Forums

Marcus H. · 2017-06-23, 03:13

When I started watching Saekano, I had a very dominant impression that this series would have the same writing style and characterization as Maruto's VN work in White Album 2. For that reason, while I tried to tolerate the first season, hoping it would get better as it approaches a climactic part of the story, my impressions dragged my enjoyment down like a lead weight. By the episode where Megumi danced with Tomoya, I was convinced that Maruto would have a particular bias towards Megumi and Utaha and Eriri will be shafted in favor of the titular boring heroine.

I have to admit, however. The character development between Utaha and Eriri—both as creators and friends—was one of the best things you can get from losers in a series where the winner has already been decided. Consider this: I've made some comparison between Oreimo and Saekano in treating the main heroine and the "losers", but Saekano manages to win out Oreimo by not allowing the losers to be relegated to cheerleader status while the winning girl finalizes her relationship with the MC. That's some kudos to Maruto. HOWEVER, the damage has already been done, and I still feel that the development of the cast could have started immediately from the first volume. Haganai had the same problem of having "the end of the prologue" at one of the last volumes of the LN, and I can see a similar problem with Saekano.

Overall, Saekano flat featured both the best and worst of Fumiaki Maruto's writing style, and I hope I never see the bad parts whenever he plans on making another anime or LN. Also, no more exploration on otaku culture please. Classroom Crisis has proven that he's capable of dealing with non-otaku topics, so why settle for something that's very dependent on execution and other factors.

Enjoyment value: 8/10 -> 6/10 (disproportionate development of characters) -> 7/10 (development of Utaha and Eriri)
ENTRY #305 GET.

EDIT: It was really funny seeing the Golden State Warriors being mentioned in the Saekano flat Finale Thread over at /r/anime. For context, their last games were curbstomps and even the powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers lost 4-1 in the Finals. Because of this stomping tendency and reducing the latest NBA Season into a game of "how small will this team's point gap be against the Warriors", I kinda see Megumi in GSW. This also reveals my issue against Megumi; she doesn't do anything wrong, so you can't really put her in the same drama that caused the Neighbor's Club in Haganai to splinter.

EDIT2: Tomoya's plans for his circle's next VN reminds me a lot of the still-incomplete Angel Beats Visual Novel series. It allows the main character, Yuzuru Otonashi, to experience changes to his character based on the player's choices. However, the fact that even Key, a notable VN producer, struggles to follow schedule for a SIX-EPISODE VISUAL NOVEL SERIES proves that Tomoya might be biting off way more than he can chew here.

DracoS · 2017-06-23, 08:12

Not too bad, through I think session 1 was better and more clever in it writing.

Kanon · 2017-06-23, 10:19

So there are more novels? That explains why the ending was so inconclusive. For some reason I'm not sure, I was under the impression the novel series was already over, so I had very different expectations regarding where the story would go. I wouldn't have expected Utaha and Eriri to actually move on otherwise. Still hated how the author threw pretty much all their character development out of the window at the last minute. It's what I had been fearing all along and it ended up happening.

Please tell me they at least ended up working on Fields Chronicle. I have some doubts given that they missed their train and seemed to want to get back to Blessing Software at the end (and obviously, they can't do both).

The biggest surprise in this finale came from Megumi. She had a golden opportunity to get Tomoya but she purposefully let it slip by, choosing to just remain friends.

AB079 · 2017-06-23, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanon

So there are more novels? That explains why the ending was so inconclusive. For some reason I'm not sure, I was under the impression the novel series was already over, so I had very different expectations regarding where the story would go. I wouldn't have expected Utaha and Eriri to actually move on otherwise. Still hated how the author threw pretty much all their character development out of the window at the last minute. It's what I had been fearing all along and it ended up happening.

Please tell me they at least ended up working on Fields Chronicle. I have some doubts given that they missed their train and seemed to want to get back to Blessing Software at the end (and obviously, they can't do both).

The biggest surprise in this finale came from Megumi. She had a golden opportunity to get Tomoya but she purposefully let it slip by, choosing to just remain friends.

Where the anime ended is volume 7, volume 8 to 12 is the second part of Saekano and volume 13 will be the last one (is not out yet). As for your question, you better post that on the LN thread, here is still a spoiler material.

Julio C · 2017-06-23, 11:13

Yeah, I don't want to now what happens in the LN anytime soon unless we are not getting another season for sure.

Yeah, Megumi had the biggest chance to sealed her relationship with Tomaya, damm she backed down at the last second. Seriously, she is just my favorite character. If a girl like that existed, I would never let her go. Also Megumi with long hair>>>>short hair.

Tranhieu · 2017-06-23, 11:22

The fanboy in me couldn't wait any longer and used a VPN to buy Ep 11's insert song from Mora... just saying...

Boy was Yasuno's voice such a treat to listen to

Obelisk ze Tormentor · 2017-06-23, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB079

As for your question, you better post that on the LN thread, here is still a spoiler material.

Wait, so...Utaha & Eriri working on Fields Chronicle is still uncertain and in spoiler territory? And here I got the impression that they got the job and only missed the train

. Otherwise, those Utaha & Eriri's character development and parting scene with Tomoya would be all for nothing. As pros, they really need to move on to tackle bigger challenges in the harsh world of animangames industry.

Anyway, I like this series. Its flaws aren't enough to detract me from its charms. Maybe it's because I didn't treat it like actual serious romance that I'm not as disappointed as some were. I mean, with an MC like Tomoya, it's hard to take the romance aspect seriously. The frequent 4th wall breaking also doesn't help.

I came here for the story, character interactions, some witty lines and fanservice and it didn't disappoint me. And the mature girl archetype actually scored something is nice compared to her counterparts in other stories who got pretty much nothing. It's like the cherry on top for me.

Infinite Zenith · 2017-06-23, 13:49

Images

Adam Jensen Style!

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

Kakurin · 2017-06-23, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanon

I wouldn't have expected Utaha and Eriri to actually move on otherwise. Still hated how the author threw pretty much all their character development out of the window at the last minute. It's what I had been fearing all along and it ended up happening.

Please tell me they at least ended up working on Fields Chronicle. I have some doubts given that they missed their train and seemed to want to get back to Blessing Software at the end (and obviously, they can't do both).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Wait, so...Utaha & Eriri working on Fields Chronicle is still uncertain and in spoiler territory? And here I got the impression that they got the job and only missed the train

. Otherwise, those Utaha & Eriri's character development and parting scene with Tomoya would be all for nothing. As pros, they really need to move on to tackle bigger challenges in the harsh world of animangames industry.

Uh, where is the idea coming from that their participation is uncertain? Is set in stone now, Utaha's graduated, Eriri knows that she can't be at her best at Tomoya's side and there is a freaking reason why Maruto introduced Izumi into Tomoya's school (and her and Iori quitting Rouge en Rouge). And why in the world is Utaha/Eriri's development "thrown out of the window" to quote Kanon? They have shown to be capable of separating personal feelings and work, that was the whole point of their develpment this arc, Utaha and Eriri no longer attaching their professional futures to Tomoya's incompetence. Not Utaha and Eriri giving up their feelings on Tomoya.

Marcus H. · 2017-06-23, 22:40

You cannot blame them. According to romantic comedy conventions, romantic interests who have lost and went away—through death or travel to distant places—are considered disqualified from the competition for the feelings of the male protagonist.

But at this point, Maruto is back to his writing style (which minimizes the use of cliches), so he would allow things to progress naturally unlike in the cliche-filled Season 1.

Obelisk ze Tormentor · 2017-06-24, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kakurin-san

Uh, where is the idea coming from that their participation is uncertain? Is set in stone now, Utaha's graduated, Eriri knows that she can't be at her best at Tomoya's side and there is a freaking reason why Maruto introduced Izumi into Tomoya's school (and her and Iori quitting Rouge en Rouge). And why in the world is Utaha/Eriri's development "thrown out of the window" to quote Kanon? They have shown to be capable of separating personal feelings and work, that was the whole point of their develpment this arc, Utaha and Eriri no longer attaching their professional futures to Tomoya's incompetence. Not Utaha and Eriri giving up their feelings on Tomoya.

Mind you that I also thought that it was clear that Utaha & Eri got the gig, but then I read Kanon's post that questioned it, only to be answered by AB079 that it's a "spoiler territory" which made me uncertain again since I don't read the LN.

If what you said is true then I'm glad. I'm glad that Utaha & Eriri can pursue their career without being shackled by their feelings and sense of obligation to Tomoya & his dojin group. I'm glad the writing is not dumb.

AB079 · 2017-06-24, 01:33

Just take a look at the LN thread...

DragoonKain3 · 2017-06-24, 22:23

My final impresssion was, "That's it?"

I liked S1's ending better because it actually felt like a good stopping point (after all they don't know if it was going to get another season), while this one is so obviously in the middle of the story. Makes me wonder if they're already greenlit (or close to it) for a third season, since Izumi going to the same school is a story just asking to be told. Izumi arc next?

npal · 2017-06-25, 05:07

Adachi called, he wants Eriri and Utaha back.

The 48th Ronin · 2017-06-26, 02:31

Poor Eriri. She's the biggest loser here. I mean, Megumi is the end girl, obviously, and Utaha got Tomoya's first kiss as a consolation.

Obelisk ze Tormentor · 2019-06-12, 08:27

Just for fun....

YouTube

https://youtu.be/DJijXldSrFo

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

2017-06-23, 03:13	Link #221
Marcus H. Princess or Plunderer? Join Date: May 2009 Location: the Philippines	When I started watching Saekano, I had a very dominant impression that this series would have the same writing style and characterization as Maruto's VN work in White Album 2. For that reason, while I tried to tolerate the first season, hoping it would get better as it approaches a climactic part of the story, my impressions dragged my enjoyment down like a lead weight. By the episode where Megumi danced with Tomoya, I was convinced that Maruto would have a particular bias towards Megumi and Utaha and Eriri will be shafted in favor of the titular boring heroine. I have to admit, however. The character development between Utaha and Eriri—both as creators and friends—was one of the best things you can get from losers in a series where the winner has already been decided. Consider this: I've made some comparison between Oreimo and Saekano in treating the main heroine and the "losers", but Saekano manages to win out Oreimo by not allowing the losers to be relegated to cheerleader status while the winning girl finalizes her relationship with the MC. That's some kudos to Maruto. HOWEVER, the damage has already been done, and I still feel that the development of the cast could have started immediately from the first volume. Haganai had the same problem of having "the end of the prologue" at one of the last volumes of the LN, and I can see a similar problem with Saekano. Overall, Saekano flat featured both the best and worst of Fumiaki Maruto's writing style, and I hope I never see the bad parts whenever he plans on making another anime or LN. Also, no more exploration on otaku culture please. Classroom Crisis has proven that he's capable of dealing with non-otaku topics, so why settle for something that's very dependent on execution and other factors. Enjoyment value: 8/10 -> 6/10 (disproportionate development of characters) -> 7/10 (development of Utaha and Eriri) ENTRY #305 GET. EDIT: It was really funny seeing the Golden State Warriors being mentioned in the Saekano flat Finale Thread over at /r/anime. For context, their last games were curbstomps and even the powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers lost 4-1 in the Finals. Because of this stomping tendency and reducing the latest NBA Season into a game of "how small will this team's point gap be against the Warriors", I kinda see Megumi in GSW. This also reveals my issue against Megumi; she doesn't do anything wrong, so you can't really put her in the same drama that caused the Neighbor's Club in Haganai to splinter. EDIT2: Tomoya's plans for his circle's next VN reminds me a lot of the still-incomplete Angel Beats Visual Novel series. It allows the main character, Yuzuru Otonashi, to experience changes to his character based on the player's choices. However, the fact that even Key, a notable VN producer, struggles to follow schedule for a SIX-EPISODE VISUAL NOVEL SERIES proves that Tomoya might be biting off way more than he can chew here. __________________ Continuing: White Sand Aquatope (6/24) and Vanitas S2 (0/12), The Vampire Dies in No Time S2 and Bofuri S2 (3/12). 2021: Restaurant to Another World S2 (3/12), takt Op. Destiny (1/12) and Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale (1/12). 2022: Yuusha Yamemasu (1/12), Kaguya-sama S3, Mob Psycho 100 III (Oct06), Bleach: 1000 Year Blood War (2/13) and Chainsaw Man (6/12). Spring 2023: Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! (4/12), Skip to Loafer, Tonikaku Kawaii S2 (1/12), Otonari ni Ginga (5/12) and Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia (3/13). Contact me on Wikia and MyAnimeList. Anime List Status ~ Watching: 33. Completed: 468. Plan to watch: 39. Last edited by Marcus H.; 2017-06-23 at 03:37.

2017-06-23, 10:19	Link #223
Kanon Kana Hanazawa ♥ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: France Age: 37	So there are more novels? That explains why the ending was so inconclusive. For some reason I'm not sure, I was under the impression the novel series was already over, so I had very different expectations regarding where the story would go. I wouldn't have expected Utaha and Eriri to actually move on otherwise. Still hated how the author threw pretty much all their character development out of the window at the last minute. It's what I had been fearing all along and it ended up happening. Please tell me they at least ended up working on Fields Chronicle. I have some doubts given that they missed their train and seemed to want to get back to Blessing Software at the end (and obviously, they can't do both). The biggest surprise in this finale came from Megumi. She had a golden opportunity to get Tomoya but she purposefully let it slip by, choosing to just remain friends. __________________

2017-06-23, 13:49	Link #228
Infinite Zenith Operation sneaky sneaks IT Support Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hic et ubique	Images Adam Jensen Style! Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload? __________________

2017-06-23, 22:40	Link #230
Marcus H. Princess or Plunderer? Join Date: May 2009 Location: the Philippines	You cannot blame them. According to romantic comedy conventions, romantic interests who have lost and went away—through death or travel to distant places—are considered disqualified from the competition for the feelings of the male protagonist. But at this point, Maruto is back to his writing style (which minimizes the use of cliches), so he would allow things to progress naturally unlike in the cliche-filled Season 1. __________________ Continuing: White Sand Aquatope (6/24) and Vanitas S2 (0/12), The Vampire Dies in No Time S2 and Bofuri S2 (3/12). 2021: Restaurant to Another World S2 (3/12), takt Op. Destiny (1/12) and Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale (1/12). 2022: Yuusha Yamemasu (1/12), Kaguya-sama S3, Mob Psycho 100 III (Oct06), Bleach: 1000 Year Blood War (2/13) and Chainsaw Man (6/12). Spring 2023: Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! (4/12), Skip to Loafer, Tonikaku Kawaii S2 (1/12), Otonari ni Ginga (5/12) and Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia (3/13). Contact me on Wikia and MyAnimeList. Anime List Status ~ Watching: 33. Completed: 468. Plan to watch: 39.

2017-06-24, 22:23	Link #233
DragoonKain3 Osana-Najimi Shipper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mt. Ordeals	My final impresssion was, "That's it?" I liked S1's ending better because it actually felt like a good stopping point (after all they don't know if it was going to get another season), while this one is so obviously in the middle of the story. Makes me wonder if they're already greenlit (or close to it) for a third season, since Izumi going to the same school is a story just asking to be told. Izumi arc next? __________________ Yes its YOU childhood friend - source of BERZERKER RAGE since forever Childhood Friend couple STATISTICS(spoilers abound though)

2017-06-23, 08:12	Link #222
DracoS Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017	Not too bad, through I think session 1 was better and more clever in it writing.

2017-06-23, 11:13	Link #225
Julio C Bury My Shell Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara	Yeah, I don't want to now what happens in the LN anytime soon unless we are not getting another season for sure. Yeah, Megumi had the biggest chance to sealed her relationship with Tomaya, damm she backed down at the last second. Seriously, she is just my favorite character. If a girl like that existed, I would never let her go. Also Megumi with long hair>>>>short hair.

2017-06-23, 11:22	Link #226
Tranhieu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013	The fanboy in me couldn't wait any longer and used a VPN to buy Ep 11's insert song from Mora... just saying... Boy was Yasuno's voice such a treat to listen to

2017-06-24, 01:33	Link #232
AB079 Banned Join Date: Apr 2016	Just take a look at the LN thread...

2017-06-25, 05:07	Link #234
npal I desire Tomorrow! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: As far away from reality as possible Age: 41	Adachi called, he wants Eriri and Utaha back. __________________

2017-06-26, 02:31	Link #235
The 48th Ronin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Anywhere. I'm a nomad.	Poor Eriri. She's the biggest loser here. I mean, Megumi is the end girl, obviously, and Utaha got Tomoya's first kiss as a consolation. __________________ . "You can always die. It's living that takes real courage." .

2019-06-12, 08:27	Link #236
Obelisk ze Tormentor Black Steel Knight Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indonesia	Just for fun.... YouTube https://youtu.be/DJijXldSrFo Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload? __________________