Rent A Girlfriend: Season 1/ Episode 12 [Season Finale] “Confession and Girlfriend” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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“Rent a Girlfriend” ends in the most frustrating way possible as it preps for a second season.

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Director(s)	Koga Kazuomi
Writer(s)	Hirota Mitsutaka
Aired (Crunchyroll)	9/25/2020

This content contains pertinent spoilers.

Recap

So, as seen in the last episode, Mami figured out that Mizuhara was a rental girlfriend, and a good part of this episode is just Mizuhara trying to figure out why she was rented? Mami isn’t into girls, so what’s the deal here? Well, it’s complicated. Simply put, she wants the charade to end, and while it isn’t made explicit she’ll tell everyone otherwise, it is strongly hinted.

Yet, despite the threat, Mizuhara takes this as maybe Mami still having feelings for Kazuya, and with that, she pushes Mami to express herself. Mind you, as this happens, Kazuya is stalking them and avoiding Ruka, who he damn near was FINALLY going to officially date. Yet, with Mizuhara going to bat for him when it comes to Mami, he falls for her again, and we’re right back where we started.

Well, after that night, Kazuya finally confessed to Mizuhara but then snatched back what he said. Which after he and Mizuhara return to their apartments, we’re left thinking that, if he didn’t pretend he wanted her as his rental girlfriend, he could have had her for real.

And with the way the show ends, we’re left assuming maybe they continued their transactional relationship. Never mind, despite all that has happened, Kazuya being right where we left him.

Review

On The Fence

The Ending

It’s hard to not have mixed feelings about the ending. Especially considering Kazuya was just on the brink of ending his obsession with Mizuhara and dating Ruka. Someone who, yes, is younger than him, but let’s assume of age. Never mind, is crazy about him and, as he said, maybe a bit possessive, but it isn’t like Kazuya has done much to make her feel secure in their relationship, or her pursuit of a relationship. So her acting as she does only makes sense.

Yet, this obsession, for that’s what it is at this point, with Mizuhara really leaves you scratching your head. Granted, you understand the attraction, for Kazuya has broken it down. However, it’s strange to watch a show for 12 episodes and learn you are entirely wrong about what you thought was inevitable. But here is the thing, if Mami got back with him or he truly accepted Ruka, and it was made explicit, that would be one thing. However, instead having a cliffhanger where you’re left unsure if Kazuya got with Mizuhara or finally accepted Ruka? It makes you feel like you wasted your time.

And mind you, courtesy of Crunchyroll[1] we know there is going to be a second season. However, considering the 12 episodes we got didn’t necessarily set the world on fire, do you really want 12 more?

[1] https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/09/25-1/rent-a-girlfriend-season-2-announced