Rent A Girlfriend: Season 1 Episode 2 “Ex-Girlfriend and Girlfriend” – Recap/ Review with Spoilers

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As we get to know Mami-chan better, so comes a reason to raise an eyebrow as, like Mizuhara, we see a side to her that is unexpected.

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Director(s)	Koga Kazuomi
Writer(s)	Hirota Mitsutaka
Aired (Crunchyroll)	7/17/2020
Introduced This Episode
Mami	Yuuki Aoi
Grandma Kinoshita	Nozawa Yukari

This content contains pertinent spoilers.

Coming To An Agreement – Grandma Kinoshita, Kazuya, Mizuhara

Being that Grandma Kinoshita loves her grandson but, like so many others, don’t expect much from him, dating wise, him being with Mizuhara is shocking. Which is why Kazuya doesn’t want to reveal that he and Mizuhara broke up, never mind were never a thing. However, despite Mizuhara pushing him to, especially after learning they go to the same school and are neighbors, she steps in.

Why? Well, because GM Kinoshita is a friend to her own grandmother and also she is sweet. Plus, as weird as Kazuya is, and despite how they are coming dangerously close to breaking the agreement on the app that employs Mizuhara, she feels bad for him. Mind you, not enough to bypass charging him, but she does set a weekly date for them to see Kazuya’s grandmother together.

Thus leading you to wonder, when it comes to the breakup plan, how long until that happens?

Who Said You Weren’t Supposed To Suffer – Mami, Kazuya, Mizuhara

So, Mami might be a bit of a psychopath. I can’t say why, since she did dump Kazuya, but it does seem that it wasn’t just about her finding someone new or anything simple. There is a darkness to Mami that makes it seem her dumping him was meant to hurt him without her looking bad in the process.

This can be shown by not only how she talks about Kazuya but talks to him and while he is in the room. Prime example: When Kazuya’s friends accidentally bring Kazuya and Mizuhara into a group thing with Mami, Mami spends a good amount of time talking down about Kazuya. Specifically about his libido and lack of experience.

Now, to a little bit of shock, Mizuhara defends Kazuya, and Mami, feeling attacked, asks Kazuya to deescalate the situation, which he does by accepting Mami’s insults. Thus shocking, maybe repulsing, Mizuhara. But, after leaving the situation, Mami does act a little more friendly than expected towards Kazuya, and there is a hint of flirtation as she invites him to her home.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. How will grandma react when she learns her grandson was paying for a girlfriend?
2. Noting that Kazuya doesn’t date near her school, or likely her home, what are the chances of one of the other people she goes on rental dates with seeing her in public? Never mind Mami-chan learning who and what she is?

Highlights

Mami-Chan

Alongside Mami-chan living in a similar duality as Mizuhara, a part of me almost wonders if we may see Kazuya join them in showing there is more to him than what we see. For, as of now, it is made to appear only girls have two sides while guys are a bit more upfront. However, as awkward as Kazuya is, imagine if Mami’s way of treating him is far more than a jealous ex or something like that? What is there is a dark side to Kazuya when it comes to his libido, and he isn’t this sweet, bur horny, virgin?

Summary

Trajectory – Ascending

The unexpected psychological part of “Rent a Girlfriend” is what is continuing to drive our interest. Between Mizuhara switching it up and now Mami, you get to see and understand how and why women flip the switch when they need to. Then, add in not knowing why Mami has a certain level of disdain for Kazuya, it gives you a reason to want to see the next episode and the one after that. All the way until we can learn if she is a bad person or if Kazuya saying or doing, or not saying or doing, something triggered her into acting like this?

Where To Watch

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