Kanojo, Okarishimasu 2nd Season

Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 2

Characters

Kazuya Kinoshita

MAIN

Chizuru Ichinose

MAIN

Sayuri Ichinose

SUPPORTING

Ruka Sarashina

SUPPORTING

Katsuhito Ichinose

SUPPORTING

Sumi Sakurasawa

SUPPORTING

Mami Nanami

SUPPORTING

Nagomi Kinoshita

SUPPORTING

Yoshiaki Kibe

SUPPORTING

Shun Kuribayashi

SUPPORTING

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2: A Chaotic Continuation of Love and Drama

By SON HAK, Published July 2, 2025

The romantic comedy anime Rent-A-Girlfriend (Kanojo, Okarishimasu), based on Reiji Miyajima’s manga, returned with its second season in July 2022, continuing the tangled love story of Kazuya Kinoshita and Chizuru Mizuhara. With its blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and frustrating romantic gridlock, Season 2 delivered a mix of highs and lows that kept fans talking. This article dives into the key elements of Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2, exploring its plot, characters, themes, and reception, while offering insights into why it both captivated and polarized its audience.

Plot Overview

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 picks up a year after the events of the first season, with Kazuya Kinoshita still renting Chizuru Mizuhara, a rental girlfriend, to maintain the facade of their fake relationship. The season, which aired from July 2 to September 17, 2022, adapts volumes seven to twelve of the manga and consists of 12 episodes, mirroring the first season’s length. The story dives deeper into Kazuya’s feelings for Chizuru, who reveals her ambition to quit the rental girlfriend business to pursue her true passion: acting. Kazuya, ever the supportive (if awkward) protagonist, resolves to help her achieve her dream, even as his ex-girlfriend Mami Nanami and other romantic interests complicate matters.

The season focuses heavily on Chizuru’s acting aspirations, particularly her role in a theater play that Kazuya attends, marveling at her talent but grappling with the fear that her success might pull her away from him. Meanwhile, Ruka Sarashina, Kazuya’s “trial girlfriend,” and Sumi Sakurasawa, a shy rental girlfriend, add layers of romantic tension. The narrative explores Kazuya’s internal struggles, his inability to confess his true feelings, and the emotional complexities of maintaining a fake relationship that feels increasingly real.

Key moments include a crowdfunding project to fulfill Chizuru’s grandmother’s wish, chaotic group outings, and Ruka’s confrontations with Kazuya over his indecision. The season ends with unresolved romantic threads, setting the stage for Season 3 and beyond, with a fourth season confirmed for July 2025.

Characters and Development

The heart of Rent-A-Girlfriend lies in its colorful cast, and Season 2 attempts to deepen their arcs—though with mixed results:

• Kazuya Kinoshita: The protagonist remains a polarizing figure. While some viewers appreciate his growth, such as his determination to support Chizuru’s dreams and his moments of emotional maturity, others find his indecisiveness and awkwardness frustrating. Critics note that Kazuya’s lack of progress in confessing his feelings or resolving his relationships with Ruka and Chizuru makes him feel stagnant, with some calling him “gutless” or overly cringe-worthy.
• Chizuru Mizuhara: Chizuru shines as the season’s emotional anchor. Her pursuit of acting, driven by her grandmother’s influence, adds depth to her character, showcasing her resilience and vulnerability. Her complex feelings about Kazuya—balancing professionalism with genuine care—make her a standout, though her hesitance to confront her emotions mirrors Kazuya’s own struggles.
• Ruka Sarashina: Ruka’s fiery personality and devotion to Kazuya provide some of the season’s most dynamic moments. Her confrontations, particularly with Chizuru, highlight her as a fan favorite for some, though others find her arc underdeveloped. Her “trial girlfriend” status with Kazuya remains a significant obstacle to the central romance.
• Mami Nanami: Kazuya’s manipulative ex-girlfriend is underutilized in Season 2, appearing sparingly and with little growth. Her presence feels more like a lingering threat than a fully realized character, disappointing fans who expected more from her antagonistic role.
• Sumi Sakurasawa: The shy rental girlfriend gets limited screen time, but her gentle demeanor and practice dates with Kazuya add a sweet, if minor, subplot. Her spin-off manga, Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend, hints at untapped potential.

Themes and Social Commentary

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 continues to explore the unique premise of the rental girlfriend industry, touching on themes of authenticity, self-worth, and the commodification of relationships. The anime delves into the emotional toll of Chizuru’s job, highlighting her agency and the societal implications of renting companionship. Critics like Henderson have praised the show for treating Chizuru with respect, emphasizing her ambitions beyond her role as a rental girlfriend.

However, the season also faced criticism for not fully exploring the moral complexities of the rental system. Some viewers felt the show leaned too heavily into rom-com tropes, depicting the female characters as objects of Kazuya’s indecision rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The tension between genuine emotions and the transactional nature of the relationships remains a compelling hook, but Season 2’s repetitive conflicts left some fans wanting more substantial progress.

Animation and Sound

Produced by TMS Entertainment with Studio Comet’s cooperation, Season 2 boasts smooth animation and vibrant character designs. Close-up shots of the characters’ expressive eyes, detailed hair, and colorful outfits elevate the visual appeal, surpassing the first season’s quality. The opening theme, “Himitsu Koi-Gokoro” by Chico with HoneyWorks, captures the season’s romantic and playful tone, while the ending theme, “Ienai” by MIMiNARI featuring asmi, adds an emotional undercurrent. The soundtrack, composed by Hyadain, complements the series’ lighthearted yet poignant moments.

Reception and Criticism

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 received mixed reviews, with a MyAnimeList score of 6.5/10 compared to Season 1’s 7.17/10, reflecting a drop in fan enthusiasm. While some praised the animation, Chizuru’s development, and Ruka’s standout moments, others criticized the lack of plot progression and Kazuya’s stagnant character. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users like @islamctear expressing frustration over Kazuya’s behavior and the show’s repetitive nature, while @tumadre_payaso highlighted Ruka’s moments as a highlight amidst a “weak” season.

Anime News Network’s Nicholas Dupree described the season as tedious, with repetitive rom-com antics overshadowing the more interesting conflicts introduced late in the season. Reddit discussions on r/anime called Season 2 “rough,” with some fans dropping the show due to its lack of character development. However, supporters argue that Kazuya’s small steps toward maturity and the emotional depth of Chizuru’s arc make the season worthwhile for those invested in the slow-burn romance.

Streaming and Availability

Season 2 is available on Crunchyroll, with both subtitled and English-dubbed episodes released weekly during its run. The dub, featuring the same cast as Season 1, began on July 15, 2022. International viewers can also stream the series on platforms like Anime Times Amazon Channel and Amazon Prime Video.

Looking Ahead

With Season 4 set to premiere on July 5, 2025, and expected to cover the Hawaii Trip Arc from manga chapter 168, fans are hopeful for more significant romantic developments. The confirmed 24-25 episodes across two cours promise a deeper exploration of Kazuya and Chizuru’s relationship, potentially addressing the criticisms of Season 2’s slow pacing.

Final Thoughts

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 is a mixed bag of charming moments, frustrating indecision, and untapped potential. While Chizuru’s arc and the animation quality shine, Kazuya’s stagnation and the lack of resolution in key relationships left many fans disappointed. For those who enjoy the slow-burn chaos of a rom-com with a unique premise, Season 2 offers enough heart and humor to keep you engaged—provided you can tolerate Kazuya’s antics. As the series continues, fans can only hope for bolder steps toward a satisfying conclusion.

Sources: MyAnimeList, Anime News Network, Crunchyroll, Wikipedia, Reddit, X posts