ANIME REVIEW: Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 3 (Spoiler)

Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 3 has wrapped up, and in Episode 12, it shines in the one area where it consistently excels, at least in my opinion. I’ve got a laundry list of gripes about Kanokari, many of which circle back to our protagonist, Kazuya. However, credit where it’s due, this series knows how to pull off the drama.

Now, I won’t be making any wild claims that Kanokari is the pinnacle of eliciting deep emotions from its viewers. Unless, of course, those emotions are primarily directed at Kazuya. But considering this is a rom-com harem series, it does handle the dramatic elements surprisingly well.

Admittedly, the two standout moments of this season both revolved around similar themes. The first was in Episode 9 when Chizuru shared her grandmother’s final moments. And the second occurred in this episode when Chizuru had a heart-wrenching breakdown.

However, there’s a potential pitfall with these emotionally charged scenes. Both incidents centered around Chizuru dealing with her grandmother’s passing. So, the big question is, can Kanokari stir our emotions in a different context? Will it keep resorting to flashbacks of these particular moments?

We might have witnessed the series reaching its zenith. Yes, I’m aware there’s more story left to tell, with the manga still ongoing. But I can’t help but ponder whether it can ever reach the same heights it did toward the end of this season.

Speaking of flashbacks, Kanokari seems to have developed quite the penchant for them, perhaps even more than Naruto: Shippūden. Brace yourselves, because we might be in for a barrage of flashbacks to Chizuru’s tearful scene. And if that’s the case, it could diminish the impact over time, which wouldn’t be ideal.

Now, shifting gears for a moment—how many of you, like me, immediately scanned that QR code on Mini’s shirt when she made her appearance in this episode? No takers? Well, fear not, because I did the honors. Scanning her shirt takes you straight to Yu Serizawa’s profile on the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

But who on earth is Yu Serizawa, you ask? Well, she happens to be Mini’s voice actor. It’s a nifty little tidbit to see the anime incorporating these kinds of details. Although, I do wonder how this decision came about. My hunch is that Mini’s manga chapter didn’t sport this particular QR code.

Even if it did, it’s unclear whether Mini’s voice actor for the anime had been chosen at that time. So, it’s more likely that this QR code was part of some clever advertising ploy.

But let’s get back on track with the series. Mini continues to play her unique support role. As for whether she’ll develop romantic feelings for Kazuya down the line, I hope not. Her current role in the mix is rather refreshing amidst the various girls vying for Kazuya’s attention.

Mini’s job? To bolster Kazuya’s quest to win Chizuru’s heart. And in this week’s episode, she dropped the bombshell: It’s high time for Kazuya to ask Chizuru out on a legitimate date—no monetary transactions involved this time. The burning question: Will Kazuya heed Mini’s sage advice? Only time will tell.

Now, when the credits began rolling, I must admit I had a brief moment of trepidation. I worried that we wouldn’t get to witness Chizuru’s movie premiere and would have to wait until the next season. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded—the premiere went off without a hitch.

So, one thing we can rule out for Season 4. However, this episode offered tantalizing hints about what lies ahead. The big reveal? Chizuru’s acting career is set to continue.

Now, I had a hunch that would be the case, as I mentioned in my review of Episode 8. But now, it’s official, post-movie premiere. Not only that, Chizuru already has her sights set on bigger and better roles. She’s gunning for the grand stage, leaving those college student indie flicks in the dust.

But hold on to your seats, folks—Kazuya is on the verge of mustering the courage to ask Chizuru out on an authentic date. And by “soon,” I mean, like, the first episode of the next season soon. Mini dropped the hint, and the text assured us it’s happening in the next chapter. Buckle up, dear viewers!

Now, I’m eagerly awaiting how that unfolds. Will Chizuru accept his invitation? And if she does, what lies in store for them? Surely, they won’t immediately transition into a full-fledged couple, right? After all, the central premise of the series is Kazuya’s infatuation with his rental girlfriend.

And there’s one more intriguing development on the horizon—Mami’s imminent return. In the episode’s closing moments, we catch a glimpse of her hanging out with Kazuya’s grandmother. So, get ready for some spicy twists and turns in the upcoming season.