Rent-a-Girlfriend Creator Reiji Miyajima: A Sincere Interview on Loneliness and Modern Love
The creator of the popular manga series Rent-a-Girlfriend, Reiji Miyajima, recently made exciting statements in a special interview with Anime Corner. Miyajima shared his sincere thoughts on the cornerstones of the series: loneliness, modern dating culture, and what true love is. The interview contains important clues for readers who want to understand how Kazuya grows despite his constant stumbles and why Chizuru builds her walls so high.
In his talk, Miyajima said, “When writing a character like Kazuya, I realized that his mistakes actually reflect the uncertainties most young people experience,” emphasizing that this is why readers can connect with the protagonist. He also noted that exploring Chizuru's vulnerability and fear of loneliness behind her “rental girlfriend” role transforms the series from a mere romantic comedy into a social commentary. This interview offers a rare glimpse into the author's creative mind.
Rent-a-Girlfriend was first published in 2017 in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine and quickly gained a large fan base. Reaching over 34 volumes to date, the series debuted with its first anime adaptation in 2020; its popularity then surged with the second and third seasons released in 2022 and 2023. Last December, it was announced that a fourth season is on the way, delighting fans. With over 300 chapters continuing today, the story has entered a critical turning point.
In the interview, Miyajima also questions how the concept of “rental relationship” in the modern world gets in the way of real emotions. The author stated, “People now look for ready-made solutions instead of actually spending time with each other. I wanted to both criticize this situation and show a glimmer of hope through the characters.” These words explain why the series is so widely debated and why, even when criticized by some readers, it is followed with passion.
So what's next? Although the release date for Rent-a-Girlfriend's fourth season has not yet been determined, this interview by Miyajima points to major turning points expected in the manga as well. Fans are eagerly awaiting new secrets about Chizuru's past and whether Kazuya will finally confess his feelings. This heartfelt conversation is a must-read for anyone who wants to get to know the spirit of the series more closely.
