Two years ago Saekano introduced me to fanservice. It was one of the first anime I ever watched. I was bewitched by a YouTube clip of Utaha eating Pocky and guiltily came seeking more. I made a great choice by accident. Despite my inexperience I could tell I was watching an uncommonly wellmade indulgence though indulgence it clearly was. Variously charming heroines lets call them classic rendered with beautiful character designs stylish editing creative cinematography and bright buttery animation. All these elements are powered by A1s financial might. But Saekano also delighted with selfreferential humor and good comedic timing and a goodfaith approach to the harem fantasy. These things sustained my fondness for the show long after I learned about the stereotypes it employs. Revisiting this formative series after two years I wondered could I still enjoy it? Anime film finales are a special art. I loved the Bunny Girl Senpai show as much as I did Saekano if not more but Dreaming Girl my first intheater anime experience was a bitter disappointment for me. Film is usually more dramatic than television and not every cast or setting responds well to being drenched in drama. Its too easy to end up tugging at heartstrings for the sake of it and if your audience feels pandered to youre through. Usually. Thats the magic of otakuclass anime: the audience expects to be pandered to. There is an understanding a friendly relationship between the creators and the consumers. Entertainingly the plot of Saekano Fine revolves around capitalizing on this relationship and the works success revolves around it too. This film much like its show strikes a skillful balance between selfawareness and selfinsert standard fare. It trenchantly mocks wishfulfillment otaku mush while cheerfully ladling out said mush. I cant help but grin at that sort of behavior especially when its so sweetly executed. Its hard for me to be too cynical. Saekano Fine was clearly made with love skill and care by real adults who know just how silly this genres formula is and dont mind. Neither do I. In this way Saekano is in the tradition of Wotakoi another great A1 production and Nisekoi Shaft more good company. People who put up an obvious faade to make themselves likeable often fail. Shows and films that contemptuously bait otaku may sell dakimakura but they will not earn respect. All it takes is a little selfawareness the willingness to poke fun at ones own absurdity and you can win peoples favor. I dont know why this is so difficult. It doesnt take Nisioisin. Theres something oddly appealing to me about stories built on the VN format. Clannad and Yosuga no Sora are other good examples. I like explorations of causality and I also think VNs are fundamentally more honest about what their viewers are seeking. This is what Fine gets so right. Romantic moments clich yet tender elicit the exquisite happy cringe. Painful absolutely. But cute sweet and beautifully drawn. Candy Does this film attempt to teach its viewers a lesson? To look for one is to miss the point it offers plenty to look at and plenty to feel for those experienced or inexperienced enough to be receptive. In response to his critics Michael Bay once quipped I make movies for teenage boys. Oh dear what a crime. In the same way Saekano Fine is a movie for harem otaku and like Transformers 2007 it is a superb example of its class of drug. Outsiders to anime might characterize enjoyment of this film as a human failure degeneracy plain and simple. Such people are mercifully unaware of Eromanga Sensei let alone Monogatari. I would characterize enjoyment of the film as capability not deficiency. If people can be honest with themselves they have little to be ashamed of. Tomoya Megumi Utaha and Eriri ultimately are honest with themselves. The creators of Saekano Fine are honest with themselves. Those who enjoy the film are honest with themselves and I pity those who would like to enjoy watching cute girls for two hours but will not allow themselves to. In the meantime I will dream of Utaha.