The popular anime series Rent-A-Girlfriend is officially returning for a fourth season, scheduled to premiere in July 2025. In a move that’s exciting fans, the new season will be split into two parts, or “cours,” with a break in between. Adding to the anticipation, Kazuomi Koga, who directed the first two seasons of the anime, is returning to helm the project, replacing Shin’ya Une, who directed the third season.
Kazuomi Koga Returns to Direct Season 4
The return of Kazuomi Koga is a significant development for fans of the anime. His direction in the first two seasons was well-received, and many are hoping that he can bring that same energy and style to season four. Koga’s return is seen as a positive step for the series, potentially recapturing some of the elements that made the earlier seasons so popular. The studio, TMS Entertainment, is also returning for the fourth season, maintaining some continuity in the production.
Staff and Cast
Along with Koga, several key staff members are also confirmed to be returning. Mitsutaka Hirota will be handling the series composition, while Kanna Hirayama is returning as the character designer. Hyadain will be composing the music for the fourth season. The main cast will also reprise their roles:
- Shun Horie as Kazuya Kinoshita
- Sora Amamiya as Chizuru Mizuhara
- Aoi Yuki as Mami Nanami
- Nao Toyama as Ruka Sarashina
- Rie Takahashi as Sumi Sakurasawa
- Yu Serizawa as Mini Yaemori
This returning cast ensures a seamless transition and maintains the familiar dynamic that viewers have come to enjoy.
Season 4 to Cover the Hawaii Trip Arc
Season 4 of Rent-A-Girlfriend will be adapting the Hawaii Trip arc from the manga, which is one of the series’ longest story arcs. This arc is a significant one for the characters, promising to be full of both romantic and comedic moments. The setting will provide a fresh backdrop for the story, differing from the usual locations. The main characters will be seen in summer attire, as seen in the new visual released alongside the announcement.
Teaser Visual
The teaser visual released showcases all the main heroines of the series standing on a train platform. The visual shows Kazuya alongside Chizuru, Mami, Ruka, Sumi, and Mini.
Production Details
The anime adaptation of Rent-A-Girlfriend is based on the manga written and illustrated by Reiji Miyajima. The manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine since July 2017 and has garnered a massive following, with over 13 million copies in circulation as of March 2024. The series has spawned a variety of adaptations, including three TV anime seasons, a spin-off manga, a live-action drama, a crossover smartphone game, and a visual novel video game.
Previous Seasons
The first season of the anime premiered in July 2020 and aired for 12 episodes. The second season followed in July 2022, and the third season premiered in July 2023. All three seasons are currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll, which has also licensed the upcoming fourth season.
Crunchyroll’s Description
Crunchyroll describes the anime’s plot as follows: “Kinoshita Kazuya is a 20-year-old failure of a college student. He managed to kiss his girlfriend once, but was dumped after a month. “Ugh… Damn it. I never want to go through that again.” Completely spiteful, Kazuya uses a certain method to date a girl. He goes to their meeting place and suddenly hears,”You’re Kazuya-kun, right?” A beautiful girl brushing her long, black hair behind her ear was there, smiling at him. Her name was Mizuhara Chizuru. Something real is born after just a single rental! A reckless rom-com filled with love and excitement is about to begin!”
Split-Cour Format
The decision to split the fourth season into two “cours” means that the season will be broadcast in two separate blocks with a break in between. This format is not uncommon in anime, and can allow for more detailed storytelling and better animation quality. While a specific reason for the split cour has not been stated, it could be to properly adapt the Hawaii Trip arc, which is one of the manga’s longest story arcs.
The Popularity of Rent-A-Girlfriend
Rent-A-Girlfriend has gained popularity for its unique blend of romance, comedy, and relatable characters. The series follows the story of Kazuya Kinoshita, a college student who, after being dumped by his girlfriend, decides to rent a girlfriend named Chizuru Mizuhara. This sets off a series of comical and often awkward situations, as Kazuya tries to navigate his feelings and the complicated relationships that result from his decision.
The series also focuses on the other women in Kazuya’s life, including his childhood friend Mami Nanami, the energetic and persistent Ruka Sarashina, the shy but sweet Sumi Sakurasawa, and the more recent addition, the cosplayer Mini Yaemori. Each character has their unique charms and contributes to the overall dynamic of the series.
Conclusion
The announcement of Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 4 has generated a significant buzz among anime fans. The return of Kazuomi Koga as director, along with the confirmed staff and cast, sets a strong foundation for the new season. The decision to adapt the Hawaii Trip arc, coupled with the split-cour format, suggests that the creators are aiming for a high-quality and detailed adaptation. As the premiere date in July 2025 draws closer, fans eagerly await the return of this beloved rom-com series.
