Once the anime released it started off with Kazuya being depressed after his girlfriend dumped him to his face. Her reasoning? “I’m in love with someone else”.
Once this scenario passes by, Kazuya in his depressed state then finds a rental girlfriend online and pays for her services, and that’s how he meets Chizuru Mizuhara, the love of his life.
This is also the start of the controversy, the hatred towards this anime, and more because of the writing, the outcomes, and other stuff that makes the anime polarizing.
One thing being Kazuya’s lack of commitment to his later girlfriend Ruka.
Why the hate for Rent A Girlfriend ?
The HATRED is specific. It comes from a certain set of fans and you can’t just say everyone is a hater because that’s not true.
There are valid reasons, and some reasons, at least in some cases, are more about looking in the mirror.
Let’s get into the why’s.
1. Because it’s “cringey”
I’ve watched the first season of
He pedestalizes
Not to mention a girl who consistently causes trouble, gets in his way, and starts getting jealous after Kazuya gets attention from “prettier”
Yet Kazuya shows her respect she doesn’t deserve.
Despite the cringey episodes of the first season, the
2. Because it’s bad enough to spark interest
Some anime shows or regular TV shows are so bad they’re good. And they’re awful enough to attract a lot of attention. The reality TV show of the Kardashians being an example.
We saw the same thing with the Netflix produced anime Yasuke which had great intentions, but was popular for the wrong reasons (it was bad).
Rent A Girlfriend in this case is a marketable product because of its bad aspects that everyone highlights and loves to focus on (as opposed to the good bits).
The typical truth of negativity getting the most eyeballs is proof with
3. Manga readers know what to expect
Manga readers have been the most vocal about
For those who’ve read the
They believe the
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4. Because it’s a cold reminder to SOME criticizing it
One thing that’s common on the internet when it comes to criticism, hatred, accusations, insults, or shaming others, is psychological projection.
This is true for all forms of media as well, not just people in general. And
Why? Because it probably reminds them of a time in their own life when they were also SIMPS or as pathetic (or almost as pathetic) as Kazuya Kinoshita himself.
I mean think about it. Kazuya Kinoshita is:
- a 19-20 year old in college.
- he’s desperate.
- still a virgin.
- Has no skills with
girls /women. - Is hopeless despite trying his best.
- Has little self esteem and doesn’t think much of himself.
- And is the type of guy who can be manipulated because he kisses too much ass.
How many of the people watching this show or who have watched it are like that in some way, shape, or form? More than people would admit.
There’s nothing wrong with it in itself if that’s who you was or you intend to improve, but from observation a lot of criticism towards certain anime is just certain people exposing their own insecurities and pointing it outward.
What makes Rent A Girlfriend so appealing despite hatred?
1. Chizuru Mizuhara
Let’s keep it real… Chizuru Mizuhara, or “Chizuru Ichinose” is the MAIN reason the anime has shined the way it has despite all the backlash.
She carries the show so much it’s unreal. In fact there aren’t many anime you can think of where ONE main character has such an overwhelming influence like this.
She’s a rental girlfriend, but she goes to college and has dreams of being an actress. She uses her “rental girlfriend money” to fund her goals and makes no excuses.
She’s not just attractive, she has a personality, her own mindset, is actually a modest person, and doesn’t look down on others because of status, looks, or anything superficial.
As cliche as it sounds, she’s “the perfect girlfriend” as Kazuya puts it (paraphrasing).
She’s the main reason fans continue to watch and find the show appealing in some ways. This is also true for the
2. Yoshiaki Kibe
Yoshiaki Kibe is one of the best examples of friendship and close friends in any anime, never mind
He’s the one who gives Kazuya a kick up the ass in the first season of
It’s the moment between Kazuya, Chizuru, and himself when they’re all at the beach. He’s the real MVP but only a support character.
His role in this way may continue.
Aside from that…..
Some people watch the anime (or read the
That’s what Mami’s role has been since the start anyway.
Some watch or did watch because they wanted to see Kazuya develop and grow, that was (and maybe is) the appeal. But most of it ends there because characters like Ruka or Sumi don’t show up too often.
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