Summary
Continuing the storyline ofKazuya and his ever-expanding harem, Season 3 ofRent-a-Girlfriendhas been one of Summer 2023’s most anticipated arrivals. Author Reiji Miyajima has long captivated audiences with his vivid art style and radiant frames, andRent-a-Girlfriendembodies all of Miyajima’s artistic flair.
However, mere art is not enough to garner an audience, as a compelling storyline is another much-needed aspect for success.Rent-a-Girlfriendtakes on this predicament with a unique take on the harem genre – rental girlfriends. This concept has resonated with fans of the series, a fact apparent from its positive reception. However, Season 3 has been a bumpy ride for the series, forcing many to question the narrative’s progression.
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A Much More Profound Narrative
Unlike the first two seasons ofRent-a-Girlfriend, season 3 switches up the narrative by solely focusing on Chizuru. Be ither movie-making dreamsor her grandmother’s demise, the spotlight has remained on Chizuru and her bitter strife to achieve her goals. Kazuya, on the other hand, seems to have taken a more ancillary role by taking up Chizuru’s ambitions and dedicating his entire summer to her dreams.
The previous two seasons went back and forth between a few love interests, with no clear end in sight. As Chizuru takes center stage, Miyajima has cemented the fact that Kazuya and Chizuru are bound to end up together. Considering the storyline’s progression, however, the two have a long road ahead before they have achance of becoming a couple.
Season 3 also had a clear change in tonality as Rent-a-Girlfriend shook off its initial comedic approach for a more profound narrative. The stakes have remained high all season, especially for Chizuru and her ailing grandmother. Sayuri’s tragic passing further gave the series an air of gloom, making the final row of episodes rather serious and consequential. This shift towards a more profound narrative has also lent Kazuya some much-needed character development.
Drawn-Out Storyline Progression
While Miyajima may have hit all the right notesin terms of tonalityand art style, the actual narrative’s progression deems the show a bit lackluster. Despite the current season focusing solely on Chizuru, Kazuya seems to be exactly where he started in terms of making progress towards a legitimate relationship. There’s no doubt that the two have become much closer over the past few episodes and their rental relationship has truly evolved, yet Kazuya is nowhere near actually winning Chizuru over.
The season also ends without hinting at the two ending up together, meaning fans will have to wait for another season ofRent-a-Girlfriendto reach the narrative’s conclusion. The storyline’s progression comes as a disappointment for fans since the story seems to beback to square oneeven after three whole seasons. The entire storyline feels rather forcibly drawn-out at this point, meaning Miyajima will have to tie things up in a possible season 4.
A New Addition to Rent-a-Girlfriend’s Line-up
Season 3 welcomed a new character toRent-a-Girlfriend’scharacter roster – Mini Yaemori. A new neighbor and college junior to Kazuya, Mini Yaemori has served as the perfect supporting character toKazuya and Chizuru’s love debacle. Without being too overbearing, Yaemori has remained successful in pushing the two closer and aiding them in their audacious projects.
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Unlike the usual harem narrative of every female character pining for the protagonist,Rent-a-Girlfriendhas taken a rather fresh approach with Mini Yaemori’s addition. Viewers expected Yaemori to become another contender for Kazuya’s love, yet she defied expectations by rooting for Kazuya and Chizuru instead. In fact, Yaemori bears no romantic interest for Kazuya, deeming him nothing more than her ‘Master.’
The series takes this narrative a bit further by incorporatingShouji-Ai (Girls Love) undertonesin Yaemori’s character. This was implied when she was aroused by the thought of looking into Chizuru’s lingerie drawer, with fans getting a look at Yaemori’s bashful side. Harem anime tend to become overbearing by forcing every single female character down the protagonist’s throat. With Yaemori as nothing more than an ancillary character,Rent-a-Girlfriendoffers yet another fresh perspective to this oversaturated genre.
Rent-a-Girlfriend’s Fan Reception
Despite avid fans of the show having concerns overRent-a-Girlfriend’sdrawn-out storyline, Season 3 has received some of the highest reviews so far. This can largely be attributed to the series’ shift towards a somewhat somber and profound narrative. The episode surroundingGrandma Sayuri’s demisereceived high acclaim, making Miyajima’s tonal shift quite successful for the series.
Season 3’s finale is currentlyRent-a-Girlfriend’shighest-rated episode on IMDb, indicating the season’s success in terms of captivating audiences once more. However, the series’ hype may start to wane if the storyline continues to progress at its current rate. Nevertheless, the series has concluded on a high note, marking the end of Summer 2023 with its heartfelt finale.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
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