Episode seven of Saekano: How To Raise A Boring Girlfriend, titled “Friend, Foe, or a New Character,” is currently streaming on Crunchyroll for paid members. Free subscribers can watch the same episode six days from now on February 5th.
The start was awkward when Eriri tries a fake English accent before Tomoya points out that he has better grades than she does in the subject, which made me laugh a bit.
Tensions are high because Summer Comiket is right around the corner and Blessing Software is behind on a bunch of things like the storyboard and the story script, which Utaha is in charge of. The f—ked part of the problem is that they do not have a solid storyline down, which means they do not have the “destination” plotted out yet.
No vehicle means no destination and that means no progress.
I loved that Tomoya accused Eriri of trying to turn the visual novel into something that would warrant an 18+ rating. You have to remember that Eriri specializes in erotic graphic novels, which Utaha looks down upon.
Eriri’s blunt reaction made me laugh.
The “role-play” scene between Tomoya and Eriri was funny to watch because it was incredibly awkward between the two and it was forced on Tomoya. They were making progress until Eriri had to scandalize everything at the end by turning everything pornographic.
I do feel sorry for Tomoya, but I ultimately feel sorry for Megumi because she was dragged into the project. She is pretty much the unwitting passenger in this wild roller-coaster ride that is steered by Tomoya with turbulence from Eriri and Utaha.
The timing is interesting when Izumi, Tomoya and Eriri’s kouhei (little sister-like junior), gives him a surprise visit. I loved the well-timed jab that Utaha threw at Eriri by comparing her bust size with Izumi’s as the latter has them and is still in middle school.
In layman speak, Utaha is making fun of Eriri for being a flat-chested high school student while Izumi is a middle school student with breasts.
I laughed when Izumi made her respect Tomoya sound sexual when in reality he introduced her to otaku culture.
She surprises the group by announcing her membership in another doujin circle, which is called “Fancy Wave.” I was surprised that Fancy Wave had sold a successful visual novel series even though Izumi is still a middle school student.
Utaha’s nonchalant comment about Izumi’s love for anime was priceless.
I laughed more when Utaha used the opportunity to make another remark about Eriri’s flat chest.
Another “old friend,” Iori, introduces himself only to be ignored by the bickering between Tomoya and Eri, with the latter peeved about Izumi.
It turned out that they were close only to be distant from each other, which Eriri comically pointed out that they looked like a yaoi couple. I have to say the flashback scene between Tomoya and Iori was pleasant before Eriri had to “ruin the moment.”
But Tomoya expresses his disgust, rightfully so, when he calls out Iori for being an otaku just to “hump the legs” of famous creators. In short, Tomoya thinks that Iori is merely a social parasite that cares nothing for otaku culture.
Eriri does point out that Tomoya isn’t that different from Iori because he is doing the same with herself and Utaha. The shocking thing is that Iori is also preparing for Summer Comiket and he is part of Rouge En Rouge, another doujin circle.
Things have gone from pleasant to an impending throwdown between Blessing Software and Rouge En Rouge. I am quite satisfied with this episode because it shows that doujin circles can have incredibly fierce rivalries with each other.
