Title

Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend

Also known as: Kanojo, Hitomishirimasu, 彼女、人見知ります, สะดุดรักยัยขี้อาย

by Reiji Miyajima, Yuka Kinami

Score from AniList: 72/100releasing

Comedy Romance Slice of Life More like Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend

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A spin-off of Kanojo, Okarishimasu starring the adorable supporting character, Sumi Sakurasawa! Sumi Sakurasawa is shy. Even simple things, like going for a donut with someone or calling out to a stranger that they’ve dropped something, paralyze her with fear. Her strategy? Become a “rent-a-girlfriend” and make some cash while she practices her people skills! But raising the stakes even higher might not be the foolproof solution she thought it was… And even worse, to keep the gig, she needs five-star reviews, and that means no freezing up or freaking out on a date… How is that even possible?! (Source: Kodansha USA)

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A warm, comedic spin-off in which a painfully shy girl works as a rent-a-girlfriend to build her social skills, with sweet, awkward moments and a gentle tone.

Pros

A sweet, relatable shy heroine
Lively comedic set-ups
A bright, slice-of-life pace

Cons

The premise is a familiar rental-romance device
Some plot beats feel repetitive

Read this if you liked:Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Horimiya

Read the full take

Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend is a spin-off of Kanojo, Okarishimasu that focuses on Sumi Sakurasawa. Sumi is so shy that everyday things like going for a donut or calling out to a stranger paralyse her with fear. Her strategy is to become a rent-a-girlfriend and earn money while practising her people skills. But raising the stakes, she finds, is not the foolproof solution she thought it was. The premise is a warm comedy about social anxiety, and each awkward encounter becomes a small victory.The series is most charming when Sumi's panic and determination collide with her clients' expectations. The comic timing is light, and the spin-off gives her quiet personality the spotlight.The weaknesses are a rental-romance device that is familiar and plot beats that can repeat. Readers who enjoy sweet, anxious heroines will find a warm read. Those wanting originality may find it predictable, though the heroine is endearing.