Rent-a-Girlfriend
Synopsis
Kazuya Kinoshita is a 20-year-old college student who has a wonderful girlfriend: the bright and sunny Mami Nanami. But suddenly, he does not. Without warning, Mami breaks up with him, leaving him utterly heartbroken and lonely. Seeking to soothe the pain, he hires a rental girlfriend through an online app. His partner is Chizuru Mizuhara, who through her unparalleled beauty and cute demeanor, manages to gain Kazuya's affection. But after reading similar experiences other customers had had with Chizuru, Kazuya believes her warm smile and caring personality were all just an act to toy with his heart, and he rates her poorly. Aggravated, Chizuru lambastes him for his shameless hypocrisy, revealing her true pert and hot-tempered self. This one-sided exchange is cut short, however, when Kazuya finds out that his grandmother has collapsed. They dash toward the hospital and find Kazuya's grandmother already in good condition. Baffled by Chizuru's presence, she asks who this girl might be. On impulse, Kazuya promptly declares that they are lovers, forcing Chizuru to play the part. But with Kazuya still hung up on his previous relationship with Mami, how long can this difficult client and reluctant rental girlfriend keep up their act? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is highly polarized, with many viewers intensely disliking the anime due to its unlikeable protagonist and questionable themes. Some find it enjoyable as a guilty pleasure or appreciate its unique premise and art style. However, the overwhelming sentiment leans towards negative criticism and frustration with the show's characters and plot.
Strengths
- Unique premise compared to other RomCom anime.
- Visually appealing animation and character designs.
- Engaging despite its flaws, with some finding it addictively watchable.
Weaknesses
- Protagonist Kazuya is widely disliked for being pathetic, weak-willed, and perverted.
- Plot is criticized for being generic, cliché-ridden, and having non-existent progression.
- Show is labeled as 'incel anime' due to the protagonist's portrayal and themes.