Rent A Girlfriend Anime Review: This rom-com anime is based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Reiji Miyajima. Rent A Girlfriend follows a college student who, after being dumped by his girlfriend, uses a dating service to “rent” a girlfriend. He soon discovers that she is not only a fellow student but also his neighbor. This series is currently streaming on the Crunchyroll platform.
Plot Summary
Kazuya Kinoshita gets dumped by his girlfriend, Mami Nanami, after just one month of dating. Heartbroken, he decides to rent a girlfriend and meets the beautiful Chizuru Mizuhara. However, after their date, he feels she isn’t genuine and gives her a low rating. Chizuru confronts him about it during their next meeting, and Kazuya realizes she’s not as sweet as she seemed.
Just then, Kazuya finds out that his grandmother has been hospitalized. Chizuru tags along, and his grandmother instantly likes her. To keep up appearances with his family and friends, Kazuya continues renting Chizuru. Things get more complicated when they find out they live next door to each other and even go to the same college.
Soon, more rental girlfriends enter the picture, along with Kazuya’s ex, Mami, who is determined to break up his fake relationship. But as time goes on, Kazuya starts to fall for Chizuru and decides to do whatever it takes to turn their pretend romance into something real.
Flawed Protagonist, Ruthless Ex, and a Rental Romance
Rent A Girlfriend Anime Review: Kazuya, as the main character, is hard to root for. He is a pushover, constantly looked down on by everyone, including his own family. He struggles to stand up for himself and often makes frustrating decisions. While his flaws are intentional, they make him a difficult protagonist to like.
Chizuru, on the other hand, is one of the more balanced characters. She criticizes Kazuya for being weak-willed but also recognizes his good qualities. Despite her job as a rental girlfriend, she does defend Kazuya when necessary, especially when dealing with Mami.
Mami is easily the most unlikable character in the series. Outwardly, she seems sweet and friendly, but she is manipulative, petty, and borderline sociopathic. She dumped Kazuya first, yet she becomes jealous when he appears to move on.
She actively tries to ruin his relationship with Chizuru, even though she is the reason he seeks out a rental girlfriend in the first place. Her worst moment comes when she tempts Kazuya while Chizuru is in a life-threatening situation, showing just how cruel and selfish she really is. Unlike Chizuru, who has redeeming qualities, Mami has none, making her an unbearable presence in the show.
Kazuya’s friends are mostly forgettable, except for his childhood friend, who acknowledges that Kazuya at least has some determination. His family isn’t great either, with his grandmother being particularly annoying due to her interference in his love life.
The animation is decent—not groundbreaking, but it serves the show well. The voice acting is solid, with each actor fitting their role. The humor relies heavily on Kazuya’s misfortunes, which can either be funny or frustrating depending on your tolerance for that kind of comedy.
You might find it entertaining if you enjoy watching an awkward protagonist struggle through ridiculous situations. However, if you prefer a more balanced and self-aware main character, Rent A Girlfriend can feel painful to watch.
A Chaotic Blend of Cringe, Charm, and Unexpected Realism
At first glance, Rent A Girlfriend looks like your typical rom-com anime, but don’t be fooled—it quickly shifts into something much deeper. While it starts with comedic elements, it gradually turns into a drama that explores loneliness, emotional dependence, and modern dating culture in an almost uncomfortable way.
The biggest surprise here is how the show deconstructs the common “loser guy magically gets the best girl” trope. Chizuru, the female lead, isn’t some dream girl who suddenly falls for the protagonist—she’s a professional rental girlfriend, and she makes it clear that feelings don’t come into the equation. The way the series presents this escort-like business is both fascinating and sad, making you feel for the characters while also questioning the entire system.
That being said, Rent A Girlfriend has its ups and downs. The writing is solid, and the character dynamics—especially Kazuya’s friendships—are well done. However, the biggest problem lies with Kazuya himself. He’s frustratingly immature and often makes terrible decisions, which makes it hard to root for him. Some scenes even feel unnecessary or dragged out, adding to the frustration.
Is Rent A Girlfriend Anime Worth Watching?
Overall, Rent A Girlfriend isn’t the lighthearted romcom many might expect—it’s more of a social commentary wrapped in an anime. While it has its flaws, the show still manages to be engaging and thought-provoking. If you’re looking for a standard romance, this might not be for you, but if you’re open to something different, it’s definitely worth a watch.
Trailer
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