Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj.
*Thunder roars*
Thunder? Well the weatherman said there would be storms today. There’s also a hint of cringiness in the air. Oh no, that can only mean one thing. Rent-A-Girlfriend is back. Yeah one of the cringiest animes to watch made a return in 2022 for a second season. If you thought the first one was cringy then wait until you see this season. Truth be told, I really don’t hate this series. There are some good moments here but they’re buried under so many awkward and frustrating moments that make you want to reach through the screen and slap the characters. Well let’s not delay the inevitable. This is Rent-A-Girlfriend S2.
Opening and Ending Theme
This season’s opening is “Himitsu Koi-Gokoro” by CHiCO with HoneyWorks. It’s a very sweet and heartwarming opening. Too bad you can’t say the same thing about the actual show. Seriously though, this opening is very misleading.
For the ending we have “Ienai” by MIMiNARI featuring asmi. It’s a very peaceful and relaxing song. I actually like this one more than the first ending and the animation is nice. Once again focusing on our four main heroines and them hanging out together. Something I doubt will happen in this anime.
Episodes 1-4
The season starts with us finding out that Chizuru has been scouted by a famous director for a play (congratulations, your time as an escort has finally paid off. I’m sorry, rental girlfriend. I forget the difference). If things go well this could lead to her big break which would mean the end to her rental service job and the end of her relationship with Kazuya (who can finally rip the band-aid off this lie and have a healthy stalker lifestyle like the Jack Bros. (Baron): We’ve got 19 court restrictions against us. (Corbin): I’m not allowed within the city of Las Vegas). Wanting to see her, Kazuya goes to her play where despite not being the main lead she steals the show every time she’s on the stage (she draws your attention, you want to see more of her). Sadly, the famous director seemed more interested in the main heroine instead of Chizuru (because he’s an idiot). As Chizuru leaves to hide her sadness and anger she bumps into Kazuya who praises her performance and she tells him what happened. She calls herself talentless and says she’s just like Kazuya (not even close! Even on your worst day you would still be better than him), but he says no (see, even knows how bad he is). He knows how talented she is and he’ll continue to rent her just so she can pursue her dreams. After shouting this out for everyone to hear, she walks away embarrassed but is secretly happy that someone notices (too bad it’s this idiot. Scene here: https://youtu.be/14PCO0I1dMY) and it was at this moment that she fell for him (scene here: https://youtu.be/SN8LFRNuQzk, she was obviously developing feelings for him in the first season but this was the moment that solidified it).
In episode 2 Chizuru addresses Kazuya’s spending habits (finally, an intervention) saying that he doesn’t need to rent on a weekly basis. Not to mention there’s still the issue with Mami who has made it clear that she wants them to stop otherwise she’ll do it for them. There’s also Ruka (who has the patience of a saint for dealing with all this BS. Seriously man, just date her and be done with it. Scene here: https://youtu.be/Avb1gwAKySc). After their date is over, Chizuru drags Kazuya to the batting cage where it’s hinted that she’s upset about being overlooked at the play (I don’t blame her, that’s some BS. Scene here: https://youtu.be/1KmlriQpkXs). After the batting cage they go to the hospital as Chizuru’s grandma has unfortunately been checked back in. While talking with Kazuya alone, Chizuru’s grandma says that Chizuru may appear strong but she’s always been a needy child in her eyes. As a kid she would always get picked on by other kids and would often sneak into her grandma’s bed saying she felt lonely (that’s actually kind of cute. We’ve seen her be so strong and smart this whole time that it’s pretty refreshing and shocking to see her be so weak and vulnerable). Chizuru’s grandma knows she won’t be around for much longer so she begs Kazuya to be her rock when things get rough for her. He and Chizuru take their leave where he wants to be there for Chizuru but he wonders if he has that right seeing as how they’re not officially dating.
Episode 3 starts off where episode 2 left off. Kazuya is in his room when all of sudden he hears a knock and sees Chizuru (she’s visiting him? This is either some erotic dream or Stockholm Syndrome has finally taken over). It turns her she lost her key and since the landlord is out she has no way to get back to her apartment. At first, Kazuya thinks she wants to spend the night, but nope, she wants to use his balcony to see if she can get in from there (spoilers, she can’t). There’s then another knock at the door and this time it’s Mami dropping by uninvited and unannounced (the bitch is back). Not wanting her to discover Chizuru, Kazuya doesn’t answer the door and the two hide waiting for Mami to leave. She does see the lights are on and enters the apartment since the door was unlocked (wow, that is dangerous), but sees nobody and takes her leave believing that Kazuya ran out to the store (scene here: https://youtu.be/OXYuGUMjgUc). However, as she walks down the street she realized that she saw a purse in the room and puts together that Kazuya had a girl in his apartment (yeah, and she’s way better than you. Which at this point could be anybody). Once the coast is clear and the landlord returns, Chizuru takes her leave and Kazuya tells her that he supports her dream and wants to be by her side forever (was that a confession?). The next day at school it seems that Kazuya’s words may have had some effect on her (scene here: https://youtu.be/P7HG98Srn8A), but his moment of bliss is interrupted by Mami who wants to talk to him.
In episode 4 Kazuya and Mami go off to a classroom to talk where he thinks she’s going to be angry with him (she has no right to be angry, she broke up with you and is meddling in your business. At this point she’s just being petty) but instead, she feels a little guilty about him turning to rental service. Not wanting to make her feel sad Kazuya says it’s not her fault and she tells him to make the most of his college life (scene here: https://youtu.be/Kqsvfhboqcw). Kazuya takes a sigh of relief that he and Chizuru weren’t discovered, but Mami knows he’s hiding something and wants to get to the bottom of it. Moving on from her we see Ruka come over to Kazuya’s house to cook him dinner. She tries to stay the night, but Kazuya won’t let her (because he knows he’s a liability. He is a horny idiot who will sleep with her and since she is tempting him she won’t resist). He tries to force her out but with a typhoon passing through the area he has no choice but to let her stay for the night (scene here: https://youtu.be/pP3PprEc7Wc). He manages to avoid temptation and even tells her that he’s lucky to have such a cute girl like her fall for him (scene here: https://youtu.be/v50RsyFVljM). When morning arrives Ruka gives him a kiss and takes her leave but not before causing a misunderstanding with Chizuru (scene here: https://youtu.be/0fIbCay6YIY).
Episodes 5-8
Episode 5 starts with three days passing by and Kazuya hasn’t seen or talked to Chizuru in that time frame (because he is a coward and an idiot). When he finally does talk to her and says he plans on requesting her next week she tells him to think about Ruka. Kazuya tries to explain what happened but she’s not listening and a small part of her is jealous (why? I don’t know. Chalk it up to Stockholm Syndrome. She can do a lot better). Once he sees Chizuru has a birthday coming up soon, Kazuya goes on a date with Sumi in the hopes of getting her insight on what Chizuru wants. Sumi comes through by saying (or texting) that Chizuru likes the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (never would have pegged her for a historian. Holy shit. You think she likes Koihime Musou?). Kazuya however feels that a gift like that wouldn’t mean much, so Sumi takes him to another apartment store where they go to a Sentai show. We find out that Chizuru works part-time as the pink Sentai ranger (you’re dating the pink ranger? Dude, that’s like every 90s kids’ dream. Well except for me, I was more into the yellow ranger). She finishes up by telling him that giving a gift is all about conveying your feelings. It doesn’t matter what he gives her as long as it conveys his feelings for her he should be fine. He finally decides on a gift and leaves it on her balcony (thankfully nobody stole it) where she finds it. It was pickled plums (you idiot).
Nothing much happens in episode 6. Kazuya gets dragged to a mixer by his friends in order to make them look good (not a bad plan). Once he arrives he sees Chizuru is there in student mode. She got dragged out by her friends as well who wanted to celebrate her birthday. There’s really not that much to say here. They play a drinking game where Kazuya keeps losing on purpose to protect Chizuru since this is her first time drinking now that she’s legal. He gets wasted and Chizuru helps him home (scenes here: https://youtu.be/uTTXtrYMJsc and https://youtu.be/5SQPy1k8Uus). Next episode.
Episode 7 starts with Kazuya still suffering from his hangover (take a cold shower). Later on, Mami shows up at his workplace no doubt to torture him (because she has nothing better to do), but Ruka takes the stage. She pieces together that Mami was his ex and believes he still has feelings for her meaning Ruka is his third choice (why he has choices in the first place is beyond me. Again, you ladies can do a lot better. Except for Mami). Ruka makes Mami humble by proclaiming herself to be Kazuya’s girlfriend and says that Mami is the one who still has feelings for Kazuya. She tells her to piss off and stop hanging around Kazuya (scenes here: https://youtu.be/aA0MoEms1wE and https://youtu.be/Zn28DuWH_no). Mami takes her leave shocked at what happened and Ruka cries wanting to know why Kazuya won’t get serious with her (because he’s a dumbass). We see Mami pissed after she leaves (she’s gone into yandere mode) and runs into Chizuru where she asks her if she’s still seeing Kazuya to which she says no (you lied as naturally as you breathe).
Nothing much happens in episode 8. Kazuya goes on another rental date with Chizuru (and for those of you wanting to know how much the idiot has simped, he’s spent about 1.15 million yen on renting Chizuru alone plus another 1.75 million on miscellaneous stuff for her. So in total, he’s spent about 2.9 million yen on her which is about $21,000 US dollars and yet he can’t repair his phone). Now that Chizuru is no longer a rookie, her price has gone up by 1,000 yen and you can give her a special request on what to wear (within the confines of human decency). Kazuya decides he wants to experience youth romance and goes on a date with Chizuru wearing a school girl outfit (okay, aside from this being sad and perverted, you could have just asked Ruka to do it for free. Every episode you become more cringe). Despite close calls and Kazuya freaking out over her outfit, the date ends on a good note for everyone involved (scenes here: https://youtu.be/kgEBDcYjcak and https://youtu.be/AaAsqeQGvJY).
Episodes 9-12
In episode 9 it’s Kazuya’s birthday and once his grandma finds out that she missed Chizuru’s birthday she decides to hold a joint birthday party for her grandson and future granddaughter-in-law (man she is high on Chizuru. Guess it runs in the family). Chizuru agrees to go, but she’ll be late as she’s visiting her own grandma. Once Ruka finds out about this, she joins Kazuya’s party as his girlfriend (and I have to admit this is where Ruka started to annoy me. She’s pretty much becoming a brat at this point in the story where she’s forcing herself on Kazuya and pretty much blackmailing the guy into doing what she wants or else. Although Kazuya is also at fault here for leading her on and not turning her down because he’s too much of a coward and idiot to do the right and sensible thing). As you would imagine Ruka plays the nice girl act to win over the family and make them see that she’s better for Kazuya. An hour and a half goes by and Chizuru still hasn’t shown up yet. She does eventually call in and her grandma tells her to go to the party. When Chizuru shows up Kazuya’s grandma is happy and she instantly outshines Ruka (scene here: https://youtu.be/bU61izNDsrs, it’s like comparing a flashlight to the sun). In order to regain the lead, Ruka does the unthinkable and kisses in the dark (scene here: https://youtu.be/7UEONK0KCx0. Eww~, tastes like simp).
Picking up where we left off, episode 10 starts with Ruka kissing Kazuya and going back for seconds to show how serious she is about this relationship (scene here: https://youtu.be/e23vengdXac. You want to get really serious. . .expose them). Returning to the party, Kazuya realizes that this whole mess is his fault (you think?). He honestly didn’t think Ruka was serious about him, but after replaying all the events in his mind he finally realizes just how serious Ruka was about their relationship (you had a girlfriend gift-wrapped for you and you managed to fuck it up because of your simping). Kazuya no longer able to go on with the lie anymore gets ready to tell everyone the truth when all of a sudden Chizuru’s phone rings and she finds out her grandma collapsed. Kazuya and Chizuru rush to the hospital and see that her grandma is fine (she saw the river and didn’t feel like swimming). While Chizuru’s grandma is all smiles the truth is she doesn’t have long to live, so Kazuya decides to do the right thing and tell her the truth but Chizuru stops him saying she doesn’t want her grandma to leave this world worried about her and wants to keep the lie going (scene here: https://youtu.be/jPTFgoH3vWg). The next day even Ruka calls for a cease-fire and tells Kazuya to keep the lie going, however she hasn’t given up on Kazuya. She realizes that she pales in comparison to Chizuru so she’s going to work extra hard to beat him and win Kazuya’s heart.
It’s the return of Sumi in episode 11. Sumi goes on another practice date with Kazuya where she takes the lead (in her own cute silent way). They go to the aquarium, watch the dolphin show, and Kazuya flexes his knowledge on aquatic animals (by God he actually knows something. All this time I thought he was a useless simp. Scene here: https://youtu.be/GzLYAUhi8rw). After the aquarium, Sumi surprises him with a gift for his birthday (scene here: https://youtu.be/gVRDy0tsbqA) and then he talks about Chizuru, what she’s going through, and how he feels helpless. The two share a good cry together and after drying their tears, they say their goodbyes to each other where it finally hits Kazuya that there is something he can do for her (you’re already her personal ATM what more can you do?).
In the final episode we focus on Chizuru. After finding out she didn’t get picked in her latest audition, we get a flashback to her middle school days when she lived with her grandparents. We meet her grandpa who is kind of like Kazuya in a way (except, you know, likable). Chizuru was a realist while her grandpa was an idealist. When Chizuru said she wanted to become an actress like her grandma, grandpa supported her every step of the way (scene here: https://youtu.be/yz6hqFc9Ajo). Sadly, tragedy struck when grandpa got into a car accident and died from head trauma. His last words were: follow your dreams. Returning to the present, Kazuya comes over (damn it, I was enjoying this episode without your cringe) where to the shock of everyone he actually has a plan to make Chizuru a movie star. He started a crowdfunding project for her to get into an independent movie with him financing the whole thing (now when you say movie hopefully you’re not thinking of a smut film you little pervert). Chizuru takes a moment to think about it and says go for it with Kazuya promising to make her a star for her grandma to see (scene here: https://youtu.be/GWmVtntSU0s).
Final Thoughts
This anime is the equivalent of eating out. It’s bad for you, but you still enjoy it. Rent-A-Girlfriend is far from great. It can be cringy at times and has a main character who’s hard to watch, but you do find yourself rooting for these characters in your own little way. You want Chizuru’s dreams to come true and you want Kazuya to stop failing and show his best traits to the girl he likes or man-up and end this whole charade. While this season didn’t have much in character development it does have a few good moments sprinkled throughout the season. I liked Ruka putting Mami in her place and telling her to move on. I also like how it re-affirms that she’s serious about Kazuya and isn’t just doing this because he makes her excited. Sumi is always cute, and I did like seeing her be more aggressive in her dates with Kazuya. We got to see Chizuru at her most vulnerable. She’s always radiating confidence and showing how nothing gets to her, but this season we got to see the pain she hides from everyone. Her doubts, worries, losses, and fears were all seen this season and I liked it. It makes you want to root for her more and see her dreams come true before it’s too late.
There’s been no change to the animation from the first season, but I will say the music has improved this season. While there weren’t that many comedic moments this season I am liking how it’s leaning more toward the drama and dilemma of the characters and taking the situation they’re in seriously. Time is of the essence and I’m invested in what happens next. Will they make it in time or will they fail?
Final Score The final score for Rent-A-Girlfriend S2 is a 5/10. I did find this season a little more cringy to watch than the first season, but it got me invested in what’s going to happen in the next season. Speaking of next season, it’s already been greenlighted so the cringe will continue. Whether you like or not. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.