Rent-a-Girlfriend: Unmasking Kazuya's True Intentions!

Highlights

Kazuya Kinoshita is one of the most unlikeable and trashy main characters in the anime community, with his simp-like behavior and desperation for a girlfriend.

Despite his unbearable behavior, Kazuya's intentions are usually good, allowing him some leniency. Despite his undeniable tendencies towards perversion and creepiness, Kazuya exhibits redeeming qualities including bravery, unwavering loyalty to Chizuru, and a sincere desire to assist those close to him.

Kazuya Kinoshita stands out as one of the most unlikeable main characters in the anime community. His simping behavior and desperate pursuit of a girlfriend have made him infamous among fans. Unlike other similar characters, Kazuya shows no signs of personal growth, making him one of the worst protagonists in romantic-comedy history.

In an attempt to make his characters more relatable, author Reiji Miyajima may have unintentionally made Kazuya too human in the worst way. However, there may be hope for Kazuya's tarnished image in season 3 of Rent-a-Girlfriend. Despite his insufferable nature, fans recognize that Kazuya means no harm and always has good intentions, which could give him some redemption.

Kazuya’s Insufferable Antics

It would be impossible to list all of Kazuya's misdemeanors and creepy behaviors due to their sheer volume. However, several major red flags have been evident from the start, presenting Kazuya as a perverted individual. His first girlfriend, Mami, broke up with him because he only wanted to engage in physical intimacy whenever they were together. A normal person would learn from such a mistake and strive to become a better individual, but Kazuya sees this as an opportunity to explore a rental dating app.

Kazuya falls prey to his own illusions, believing that a rental girlfriend is genuinely interested in him. To compound matters, he introduces his rental girlfriend as his real one to his friends and family, potentially jeopardizing Chizuru's personal life. However, the most disturbing aspect of Kazuya's behavior is his ability to stalk someone for an entire day. In real life, stalking is considered a serious offense, yet Rent-a-Girlfriend trivializes this behavior as a playful joke. For viewers, this raises a red flag, revealing Kazuya as nothing more than a creepy individual capable of extreme actions.

Kazuya’s Redeemable Qualities

Kazuya’s lascivious side is portrayed relentlessly throughout the series, which only works against him. Just as it appears that Kazuya is making progress, the story takes a sudden turn and resets him back to square one. Each time Kazuya tries to come clean and confess his deceptions, he is thwarted by some unfortunate coincidence, giving the impression that the author is merely using him to prolong the series.

Despite being widely regarded as the worst anime MC ever, Kazuya surprisingly possesses a handful of redeeming qualities. Despite his often dim-witted demeanor, Kazuya has displayed remarkable acts of bravery. Whether it's fearlessly diving off a boat to rescue Chizuru or wholeheartedly committing to an ambitious crowdfunding endeavor, Kazuya's unwavering determination and resilience prove that he is capable of accomplishing great things.

Kazuya frequently reveals his perverted tendencies when thinking about Chizuru, yet he also demonstrates a strong sense of principles. Despite Ruka's numerous advances, Kazuya has remained committed to Chizuru, rejecting any sexual advances from Ruka and even refusing to sleep with her when the opportunity arose. If Kazuya were truly a creep, he would have eagerly engaged in such activities, but his loyalty to Chizuru has restrained his perverted nature.

Additionally, Kazuya has proven that he is willing to go to great lengths to help those he cares about. He went above and beyond to support Chizuru's movie project, dedicating himself completely to ensure the crowdfunding reached its target. Although his actions are driven by his feelings for Chizuru, it is clear that his dedication surpasses that of a mere infatuation. His role as a producer further showcases his professional side, illustrating that he is more than just a perverted college student.

The Final Verdict

Judging solely based on the initial two seasons of Rent-a-Girlfriend, it appears that Kazuya lacks any semblance of courage or ambition in life, rendering him a spineless and overly dependent individual. His desperate attempts to secure a romantic partner and his willingness to squander his parents' finances on rented companions paint him as a disturbing figure. Kazuya's invasive behavior and possessiveness towards his rented girlfriend serve to further illustrate his distorted mindset and unimpressive qualities as the main character.

Nevertheless, the third season of the series offers a somewhat altered perspective, hinting at potential growth for Kazuya. His business-oriented mindset comes to the forefront, revealing that he possesses more than just an infatuation for his captivating group of love interests. This reveals a resilient and determined side of him that even manages to captivate Chizuru. Although his unsettling actions may be overwhelming, these newfound developments allow for some leeway in judgment. Paired with his ineptitude in social situations, Kazuya could simply be seen as a socially awkward and perplexed individual with zero experience in matters of the heart – a hurdle that could potentially be overcome through further character development.

Rent-a-Girlfriend is available to stream on Crunchyroll.