Anime coming July 2020! You can rent a girlfriend, but can you buy love? Reeling from a bad breakup, Kazuya rents the beautiful, polite Chizuru for a date. But rock bottom might be so much lower than he thought! Chizuru is much more than the pretty face and sweet demeanor he thought he’d bargained for…In today’s Japan, “rental” services can deliver an afternoon with a “friend,” a “parent,” even a fake girlfriend! After a staggering betrayal by his girlfriend, hapless freshman Kazuya gets just desperate enough to give it a try. But he quickly discovers how complicated it can be to “rent” an emotional connection, and his new “girlfriend,” who’s trying to keep her side hustle secret, will panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! Family, school, and life all start to go wrong, too… It’s sweet but naïve boy meets cute but ruthless girl in this 21st-century manga rom-com!
Anime coming July 2020! You can rent a girlfriend, but can you buy love? Reeling from a bad breakup, Kazuya rents the beautiful, polite Chizuru for a date. But rock bottom might be so much lower than he thought! Chizuru is much more than the pretty face and sweet demeanor he thought he’d bargained for…In today’s Japan, “rental” services can deliver an afternoon with a “friend,” a “parent,” even a fake girlfriend! After a staggering betrayal by his girlfriend, hapless freshman Kazuya gets just desperate enough to give it a try. But he quickly discovers how complicated it can be to “rent” an emotional connection, and his new “girlfriend,” who’s trying to keep her side hustle secret, will panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! Family, school, and life all start to go wrong, too… It’s sweet but naïve boy meets cute but ruthless girl in this 21st-century manga rom-com!
Anime coming July 2020! You can rent a girlfriend, but can you buy love? Reeling from a bad breakup, Kazuya rents the beautiful, polite Chizuru for a date. But rock bottom might be so much lower than he thought! Chizuru is much more than the pretty face and sweet demeanor he thought he’d bargained for… In today’s Japan, “rental” services can deliver an afternoon with a “friend,” a “parent,” even a fake girlfriend! After a staggering betrayal by his girlfriend, hapless freshman Kazuya gets just desperate enough to give it a try. But he quickly discovers how complicated it can be to “rent” an emotional connection, and his new “girlfriend,” who’s trying to keep her side hustle secret, will panic when she finds out her real life and Kazuya’s are intertwined in surprising ways! Family, school, and life all start to go wrong, too… It’s sweet but naïve boy meets cute but ruthless girl in this 21st-century manga rom-com!
THE GIRLFRIEND RENT-ALITY As Kazuya and his rental girlfriend’s lives become more and more intertwined, their feelings become as complicated as ever. After awkward encounters with their family and friends, who now think they’re really dating, and a heated exchange with Kazuya’s ex, the best thing to keep their relationship “professional” might be taking some time apart–but fate may have other plans…
Kazuya’s maritime heroics have complicated his decision to completely cut ties with his rental girlfriend, Chizuru. Now the stage is set for a different kind of conversation… Chizuru has always bailed him out of his cowardly ways and awkward encounters, but how will she react after he saves her life?
After an intense trip to the hot springs with his rental girlfriend, things are complicated enough for the still hapless and deeply confused Kazuya, as he finally manages to take some space from Chizuru long enough to get his thoughts together. But a mysterious new figure enters the picture, who seems to know quite a lot about his “romantic” life…
Kazuya Kinoshita—listless, broke college student, rental girlfriend patron, and...boyfriend??? Still reeling from his beachside encounter with Chizuru, Kazuya has been confronted by another rental girlfriend, who quickly becomes ensnared in his dramatic love life after confessing her love for him. After saving Chizuru and seemingly ruining things with Mami, will this new player change the game of love for Kazuya?
At Mizuhara’s request, Kazuya agrees to go on a “practice date” with Sumi-chan, who’s trying to make it as a rental girlfriend despite her crippling shyness. It’s an opportunity for Sumi-chan to rehearse being social and build some confidence and earning power—or it’s supposed to be, until who should butt in but Mami-chan! And she has a bombshell to drop… A practice date quickly turns into an all-too-real battle!
Mizuhara plans to quit her rental girlfriend job to pursue an acting career, and Kazuya, finally aware of his feelings for her, is left unsure of what to do. Without their pretend relationship, the pair are nothing more than neighbors… right? After taking some time to reflect (and stalking Mizuhara by secretly watching one of her theater performances), Kazuya is ready to let his feelings go. However, a sudden invitation from Mizuhara to spend an off-the-clock evening together throws him for a total loop. Could this be the long-awaited chance to push past the client/rental barrier and become something more?
An unexpected (and chaotic) night with Mizuhara after she loses the key to her apartment leaves Kazuya feeling closer to the rental girlfriend than ever before. So much so that he’s seeing her everywhere he looks! Unfortunately, one of Ruka’s schemes gives Mizuhara the wrong idea about Kazuya’s relationship with the other girl. What’s love without a bit of chaos, right?
After Ruka’s disastrous overnight stay, Mizuhara’s been keeping her distance from Kazuya. The hopeless young man seeks to get back in her good graces by ?nding the perfect gift for her fast-approaching birthday. However, when the two unexpectedly meet at a drinking party, they’ll have to reconcile quickly to keep their relationship a secret!
RUKA GOES ALL OUT! After Kazuya lets slip to his grandmother that she missed Mizuhara’s birthday, the matriarch of the Kinoshita family insists on celebrating. She turns Kazuya’s upcoming birthday party into a joint one, and suddenly the unlucky guy is scrambling to convince Mizuhara to come. Unfortunately, Ruka also hears about the festivities and demands Kazuya take her. When Mizuhara runs late, Ruka takes the chance to unleash her ultimate win-over-Kazuya’s-family-attack!
A GIRLFRIEND SHOWDOWN! Ruka crashed Kazuya’s birthday party in the hopes of appealing to the Kinoshita family and proving that she was a superior girlfriend candidate to Mizuhara. Everything seemed to be going her way at first. Even Kazuya’s grandmother was warming up to her. That all changes when Mizuhara arrives to steal the spotlight, however. Down but not out, Ruka is still determined to secure her place as Kazuya’s one and only girlfriend! Can the boneheaded Kazuya weather the storm of a woman in love?
THE SUMI HOSPITALITY EXPRESS HAS LEFT THE STATION! Kazuya’s second date with the school-uniform-clad Sumi at the aquarium continues. Sure, things got off to a bit of a hectic start, but now that they’re at the live aquatic show, they can finally relax and enjoy things...right? Poor Kazuya’s been absolutely distraught trying to think up a way to help Mizuhara, and maybe a chaotic distraction is just what he needs. A little fresh air can really clear the head, or was it fresh water?
LIGHTS, CAMERA, CROWDFUNDING! To help Mizuhara realize her dream of starring in a movie that her grandmother can see on the big screen, Kazuya creates a crowdfunding campaign. And although it’s a new source of hope for both of them, the clock is still ticking. Will they be able to get the money and make a film in time? A new relationship unfolds between the pair as they go from rental and client to actress and producer!
A NOSY NEIGHBOR The crowdfunding campaign to produce Mizuhara’s movie has begun! If things go favorably, it could mean that her lifelong dream will finally come true. While she and Kazuya do everything they can to garner support, a wrench is thrown into the works: Mini! She’s accidentally learned about Mizuhara’s work as a rental girlfriend and wants to know more about her relation-ship with Kazuya. In both work and love, things are looking to get really hectic!
TROUBLE DURING THE HOME STRETCH The crowdfunding deadline’s almost here, and everyone’s working as hard as possible to ensure things succeed. Wait, why does that mean Mizuhara has to go on a date with Umi, the handsome guy from her acting class?! Umi claims it’s only a get-together as friends, and he promises to spread the word of Mizuhara’s campaign on his popular Twitter account if she meets with him. Is that truly all he’s after, though? Could this mean a new romantic rival for Kazuya at the worst possible time?!
Production begins at last on Mizuhara's movie, bring-ing her one step closer to her dream. The filming proceeds smoothly, thanks in no small part to the leading lady's acting talent. However, a certain some-one's plot sends Mizuhara and Kazuya off alone for a location shoot. Sharing meals! The sight of Mizuhara after a bath! What's poor Kazuya to do?! He knew making a movie would be challenging, but not like this!
THE PRICE OF A DREAM For years, Mizuhara has worked to break into acting, giving it her all so that her grandmother could see her on the screen.With the film nearly finished, and the premiere only days away, her dream is finally about to come true. But what did getting there cost her? Shouldering all that effort alone could make anyone miserable. Fortunately, Mizuhara’s not alone. She’s got a boneheaded guy at her side to help, even during the bleakest times...
A GIRLFRIEND IN NEED! An unthinkable tragedy has left Mizuhara emotionally distant. Something inside is telling Kazuya to help, but he doesn’t know how, or even if he should. Whatever they pretended to be in the past, Mizuhara and Kazuya are only neighbors on good terms now that the movie’s complete. Thankfully, there’s someone the clueless lover can always turn to for advice. It’s time for the Sumi hospitality train to roll out once again! Wait, why’s she taking Kazuya to the beach?!
SAVING MIZUHARA This is it. It’s time for Kazuya to enact the plan to help his beloved Mizuhara. Rock climbing, an artsy movie, and a fancy dinner—he’s checked all the boxes to make this a date that would cheer anyone up. So why doesn’t it seem to be working? Maybe the big fancy stuff isn’t how to get Mizuhara to open up...
At long last, Mizuhara’s dream has come true. And thanks to her incredible talent, the movie screening is a great success. However, it leaves Kazuya feeling blue. This spells the end of his time with his beloved Mizuhara. Now they’re just neighbors...right? But an unexpected invitation from the girl of Kazuya’s dreams a few days later throws everything into chaos. Could this finally be the perfect opportunity for a confession? Hopefully, Kazuya can find the courage in time!
Kazuya did it. He finally confessed…sort of. And it’s left his relationship with Mizuhara in a nebulous position. Amidst this confusion, new trouble strikes when Umi, the handsome actor who once took Mizuhara out on a date, invites Kazuya to a party. He already suspects she might care more for Kazuya than she lets on. What could he be planning?
As it becomes harder to maintain their shared lie, Kazuya realizes his only out is to confess to Mizuhara and make their relationship real. And his grandmother’s invitation to a massive resort seems like the perfect place to do it. Ruka’s not about to let that happen, though! She squeezes her way into the trip, determined to block Kazuya’s confession at every turn. Worse yet, she’s not the only surprise addition to this vacation…
The chaotic resort trip continues! While Kazuya desperately searches for a moment alone with Mizuhara in order to confess to her, danger erupts all around him. His “girlfriend” Ruka makes a move, hoping to keep Kazuya from leaving her. Worse yet, Mami seems to be plotting something behind the scenes. With drama around every corner, Kazuya has to work overtime to protect his secret with Mizuhara. Will he be able to keep the lie going long enough to express his feelings?
Kazuya’s hardly been at the resort for a day, and already he’s had a few close calls with Mizuhara, thanks to Ruka and Mami. He’s barely holding it together, but he is holding it—for now. The slightest surprise could cause it all to come crumbling down, though. Will he be able to protect the secret long enough to find the courage to confess to Mizuhara and make their fake relationship real?
While Mizuhara waits alone in the church, Kazuya rushes to finally reveal his feelings and put an end to their lie. Meanwhile, Mami stews over the pair’s relationship, and as her patience reaches its limit, she seems ready to reveal everything. Whether Kazuya finally comes clean or Mami does, one thing is certain. Nothing will be the same after this vacation…
The worst has happened. Kazuya thought he could protect the secret during the trip to the Hawaiians resort by confessing to Mizuhara and making their relationship real, but that’s all fallen apart. He missed his chance, and worse yet, Mami revealed to his friends and family that Mizuhara is only a rental girlfriend. Kazuya and Mizuhara have always managed to keep their shared lie under wraps, but what will they do now that it’s out in the open?
Kazuya’s drama-filled Hawaiian vacation (which ends up being anything but) comes to an end with a mindblowing kiss! Panic-stricken by the unexpected smooch, Kazuya asks Mizuhara point-blank what, if anything, it meant to her. Will this finally lead to the start of something real? Meanwhile, with her dastardly plan in shambles, Mami grapples with what she truly wants…
After Mizuhara seemingly falls off the face of the planet, the two make up and Kazuya plans a date with her in Harajuku. Will Kazuya be able to tell Mizuhara how he really feels about her before their situationship, already on borrowed time, ends forever? Just when he musters up the courage to do something, Mizuhara tells him something that changes everything!
“I promise to give you an answer, but I need some time to figure things out.” That’s what Mizuhara told Kazuya after leaving him on read for three months, but what exactly does “figuring things out” entail? The two share some delightful moments together despite Kazuya’s increasing anxiety over that unanswered question. Just when he thinks things might actually work out between them, there’s an emergency close to home! Will the unfortunate situation actually bring him closer to Mizuhara?!
Kazuya and Mizuhara are finally living together! From bathing to tooth brushing to getting duplicate keys—every day feels like a dream come true! But will Kazuya be able to handle the beyond belief bonus stage? Meanwhile, Yaemori offers to help with Mizuhara’s ongoing investigation…just as Mizuhara’s birthday is around the corner! Sharing one roof will force their relationship into hyperdrive!
Kazuya’s dream of living together with Mizuhara, the perfect girlfriend, has finally come true—and it’s her birthday! She made it clear she doesn’t want a gift or a celebration of any kind, but will Kazuya really take no for an answer after she so graciously allowed him to stay with her? As he struggles to figure out a solution to his birthday dilemma, who should pop back into his life but Sumi-chan! Will her surprise appearance lead to a development in Mizunomiya’s investigation?!
The roommate saga continues! Mizuhara begins to open up to Kazuya by asking him to help with putting the house in order. After carrying an old fridge to the curb, Kazuya and Mizuhara end up locked in an incredibly cramped storage shed and in an incredibly compromising position, no less! Later on, the three roommates go shopping together. Seeing Mizuhara acting completely normal for the first time in his life sends Kazuya’s emotions into overdrive!