Why Fans Don’t Want Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4

AnimeJapan 2025 delivered a slew of announcements, but not all of them were greeted with applause. Among the headlines was the reveal that Rent-A-Girlfriend would be returning for a fourth season. The response? Swift and scathing. Social media platforms lit up with comments like “You can keep it”, as disgruntled fans aired their frustrations. Many lamented the studio’s decision to greenlight another season while other deserving series remained on the sidelines. But why exactly does Rent-A-Girlfriend inspire such passionate disdain? And is it all justified?

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Created by Reiji Miyajima, Rent-A-Girlfriend first debuted in July 2020 under the production of TMS Entertainment. The rom-com follows Kazuya Kinoshita, a college student who hires Chizuru Mizuhara from a rental girlfriend service. What starts as a temporary arrangement spirals into a complex web of relationships.

Initially, the series received mixed reviews. While some praised its humor and emotional moments, others criticized its repetitive plotlines and Kazuya’s frustrating behavior. Despite this, the series remains wildly popular. The manga has sold millions of copies, and the anime has consistently been renewed, now approaching its fourth season.

Why Do People Hate Rent-A-Girlfriend?

The “So Bad, It’s Good” Effect

Every now and then, a show emerges that people love to hate. Think Keeping Up with the Kardashians or Riverdale — series that are endlessly criticized, yet obsessively watched. Rent-A-Girlfriend has become the anime equivalent of this phenomenon.

Fans often deride this series for its stagnant character development and exaggerated drama. Kazuya, in particular, is a lightning rod for criticism. His relentless simping and poor decision-making evoke secondhand embarrassment, while the unresolved romantic entanglements frustrate even the most patient viewers. Many also argue that the plot has been stretched far too thin, particularly in the manga. With over 196 chapters, there’s still little to no character development— it’s almost as if Kazuya refuses to learn.

Yet this very absurdity fuels engagement. Discussions thrive on social media, memes circulate, and curiosity wins out. For every frustrated viewer vowing to drop the show, another is drawn in to see how much more outrageous it can get. It’s a paradox that keeps Rent-A-Girlfriend firmly in the spotlight.

The criticisms surrounding Rent-A-Girlfriend aren’t baseless. At its core, the series struggles with redundancy. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Kazuya and Chizuru has worn thin. While moments of emotional sincerity do exist, they are often overshadowed by awkward scenarios and forced romantic tension.

While shows like Oregairu offer nuanced takes on similar romantic dilemmas, Rent-A-Girlfriend leans heavily into melodrama. It’s an exhausting cycle that leaves even dedicated fans questioning their commitment.

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Fans Think Other Anime Deserve Better

When Season 4 was announced, the backlash wasn’t solely about Rent-A-Girlfriend itself. Fans were quick to point out that other, more deserving series remained without renewals. Titles like Komi Can’t Communicate, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers, and Eighty-Six were repeatedly mentioned as examples of shows that warranted continued adaptations.

It is pretty clear to fans: Rent-A-Girlfriend is a low-effort cash grab, prioritizing controversy and fan service over quality storytelling. While the frustration is understandable, the studio’s decision isn’t difficult to decipher. With all its enduring popularity and reliable profitability, at the end, the series is just a financial juggernaut for the studio. Until fans truly disengage, the franchise will continue to thrive.

Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4 Is Still Coming, Nothing Can Stop It

Release Date, Cast, and Where to Watch

For those still curious, Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4 will premiere in July 2025. The adaptation will cover the Hawaii Trip Arc, introducing new romantic drama and comedic moments. The voice cast, including Shun Horie (Kazuya) and Sora Amamiya (Chizuru), will return, ensuring continuity for the series.

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Main Cast:

• Shun Horie as Kazuya Kinoshita
• Sora Amamiya as Chizuru Ichinose
• Nao Toyama as Ruka Sarashina
• Aoi Yuki as Mami Nanami
• Rie Takahashi as Sumi Sakurasawa
• Yu Serizawa as Mini Yaemori

Streaming details are expected to be announced closer to the premiere, but Crunchyroll is a likely platform for international audiences. Fans can keep an eye on the anime’s official website and social media for further updates.

No matter how hated, this series isn’t leaving anyone anytime soon. For now, Season 4 is here to stay, and depending on its reception, the franchise itself isn’t going anywhere. Whether audiences watch out of genuine enjoyment or sheer disbelief, Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4 is undoubtedly set to keep the conversation alive.

Rent-A-Girlfriend

Release Date

2020 – 2024

Network

TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC

Directors

Shinya Une, Akira Mano, Fumio Maezono, Taku Yamada, Yurika Fukaya, Hidehiko Kadota, Naoyuki Kuzuya, Takashi Tanazawa, Yoshitsugu Kimura, Taiki Nishimura, Mizuki Iwadare, Ken Ando, Akira Yamada, Fumihiro Ueno, Yuki Morita, Hisaya Takabayashi

Writers

Fumi Tsubota

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  Masayuki Akasaka

  Yoshiaki Kibe (voice)

• 

  Rie Takahashi

  Sumi Sakurasawa (voice)