Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 1

Season one of Rent-a-Girlfriend just wrapped up, and shortly after the last episode of the season premiered, we were blessed to find out the show was renewed for a second season.

For those that don't know, the show features the main character Kazuya Kinoshita, a college freshman with close to zero dating experience. After getting dumped by his first real girlfriend a month after dating, Kazuya goes into despair. Like modern-day kids, he decides to turn to an online rental girlfriend site to fill the void in his heart.

Of course, his life is turned upside after he meets his rental girlfriend.

Check out the trailer before you watch.

I first heard about this show on Anitwitter. In the weeks leading to the front and after its airing, all I saw were pics, gifs, and posts about this show. I'm usually not one to jump on the bandwagon when a new show is hyped up; in fact, I avoid it at all costs.

What piqued my interest in RAG was the comparisons to Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Senpai. Having recently watched the show. I finished the 13-episode season and movie in a single day. I was invested instantly. So naturally, I had to see how RAG measured up. Would it be worth it, or was everything I heard purely hype?

I went onto Crunchy Roll to search for the first episode. I told myself, "I'll watch one episode today and see how it goes. It probably won't be for me but let's give it a shot."

The show was already a month in and 5 episodes were up. I was hooked after that single episode and kept watching. Each time I said just one more.

Then next thing I knew, I was signing up for Crunchy Roll Premium to watch the latest episode. To make matters worse, I searched the air date of the next episode and went on the manga hunt. I got pulled in deep, to the point of no return, and I was okay with that.

You may be asking," What was it that made the show that enjoyable for me?" I have quite a few reasons why.

I'll start by saying the show's storyline isn't anything new or innovative. Kazuya rents a girlfriend named Chizuru. Find out they go to the same college. Live next door to one another, and their grandmothers know each other. The irony of it, everything is entertaining.

On different rental dates, they are discovered by Kazuya's friends and family. Forcing them into a situation where they continue their rental arrangement while masquerading as a real couple to everyone else. The goal is to eventually break up without anyone suspecting a thing. Still, no anime has ever made things that simple.

Now let's visit some of the main characters.

Kazuya

Kazuya is a relatable MC. He is an awkward dork with no experience. He isn't picky about his women because he has close to zero self-confidence. Whatever he thinks he lacks look-wise, he makes up for in personality. Throughout the season, we see him begin to grow and learn what it truly means to be a man. While he is stubborn, and heart is always in the right place… Stupidity is alive and well within him.

While Kazuya isn't always the brightest bulb, he shows how dynamic of a character he can be through his reflections. He acknowledges his mistakes and consistently wants to grow. All of us have been there at some point.

Chizuru

While Anitwitter debates who the best girl is on the show… Chiz holds that spot, in my humble opinion. The season doesn't do a great job showing how dynamic of a character she is. That is partly due to the show using Kazuya's perspective. The anime shows her making decisions, standing up for Kazuya, and acting through different situations but doesn't deliver why she does it. The audience and Kazuya are aware, but we never know her true feelings or intentions behind anything. I enjoy that mystery.

Truthfully, to make my best girl list, the criteria are usually. Must be Tsundere. Chizuru is stable in this category. When acting like a girlfriend, she is perfection. When yelling at Kazuya, again perfection. Genuinely being herself, where can I find a real-life version of this being?

Depending on the pacing of season 2, we'll get to see how dynamic Chizuru is and why she is worthy of best girl.

Mami-chan

Throughout the season, I had mixed feelings about Mami. She breaks up with Kazuya, proceeds to lead him on, then decides she's jealous when he shows up with Chizuru. I enjoy her evil nature. But that's naturally the masochist in me screaming out. She plays a significant role in this season, which essentially impacts Chizuru and Kazuya's feelings. But if she were to fade out into existence in the future, I wouldn't miss her.

Ruka

Ruka is a cute high school girl but spends most episodes being annoying. Kazuya strings her along to be nice, but she can clearly tell he has feelings for Chizuru. Blackmailing him to date her. Getting a job with him. Generally, just turning up everywhere. While I admire, he stubbornness and tenacity, she is getting in the way of my ship.

Sumi

Sadly, the first season introduces Sumi late. I stan. She is the purest soul of all the characters and is easily the most likable. In just one episode, we learn she takes the job as a rental girlfriend to break herself out of her comfort zone and make others happy. I can't wait to see more of her next season.

With a face like this…

Please be my best friend.

While I'm enjoying the series, I agree it isn't impressive. The first season barely scratches the surface with character development and only a glimpse of the overall storyline between the two main characters. While I didn't notice any differences between the manga and anime, the pacing is slow. The season finale ended in a way that regular episodes end in other shows.

After fully catching up to the ongoing manga, I'm invested in seeing how the anime continues. It has potential going forward. In conclusion, if you haven't watched it yet, check it out. It isn't the best romantic anime that I've seen thus far, but the show is comedic and relatable.

While we all wait for season 2, stan Chizuru.