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Rent-a-Girlfriend poster

Shows that feel likeRent-a-Girlfriend (2020–)

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. Completely spiteful, Kazuya uses a certain method to date a girl. He goes to their meeting place and 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!

If you loved Rent-a-Girlfriend, the closest series we have are Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! (2020), DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO (2021) and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019). All three share Rent-a-Girlfriend's witty and playful feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Prison School (2015).

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If Rent-a-Girlfriend hit the spot, these will too

Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! poster
Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!
2020–2022 · 2 seasons · AT-X
★ 6.8animation · comedy

Both are working the same pair: romance, slice of life

Shinichi Sakurai’s one wish is for a little peace and quiet. But Hana Uzaki — his boisterous, well-endowed underclassman — has other plans. All she wants is to hang out and poke fun at him. With the help of her chipper charm and peppy persistence, this might just be the start of a beautiful relationship!

DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO poster
DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO
2021–2023 · 2 seasons · TOKYO MX
★ 7.1animation · comedy · drama

Two things both keep coming back to: romcom and based on manga

The difference: Easier on the whimsy than Rent-a-Girlfriend

"A girl in a lower grade just made me cry!" One day, Senpai visits the library after school and becomes the target of a super sadistic junior! The name of the girl who teases, torments, and tantalizes Senpai is "Nagatoro!" She's annoying yet adorable. It's painful, but you still want to be by her side. This is a story about an extremely sadistic and temperamental girl and you'll feel something awaken inside of you.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War poster
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
2019–2022 · 3 seasons · Gunma TV
★ 8.5comedy · animation

The same two preoccupations: school life, and anime

Considered a genius due to having the highest grades in the country, Miyuki Shirogane leads the prestigious Shuchiin Academy's student council as its president, working alongside the beautiful and wealthy vice president Kaguya Shinomiya. The two are often regarded as the perfect couple by students despite them not being in any sort of romantic relationship.

TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You poster
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You
2020–2023 · 2 seasons · TOKYO MX
★ 7.7animation · comedy

Common ground: romance

Nasa Yuzaki falls in love at first sight after an encounter with the mysterious Tsukasa. When Nasa earnestly confesses his feelings, she replies, "I'll date you, but only if we're married." Nasa and Tsukasa's cute and precious newlywed life of love is about to begin!

Horimiya poster
Horimiya
2021 · 1 season · Gunma TV
★ 8animation · comedy · drama

One thread runs through both: shounen

The difference: Takes it somewhere less whimsical than Rent-a-Girlfriend does

A secret life is the one thing they have in common. At school, Hori is a prim and perfect social butterfly, but the truth is she's a brash homebody. Meanwhile, under a gloomy facade, Miyamura hides a gentle heart, along with piercings and tattoos. In a chance meeting, they both reveal a side they've never shown. Could this blossom into something new?

Prison School poster
Prison School
2015 · 1 season · TOKYO MX
★ 7.5animation · comedy

The same preoccupation in both: based on manga

There was a time when the Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls' boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo but a recent policy revision is allowing boys into the student body. On his first day, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he's one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Completely overwhelmed by the thousands of girls on campus, the few boys find that their situation is less than ideal.

The Quintessential Quintuplets poster
The Quintessential Quintuplets
2019–2021 · 2 seasons · TBS
★ 7.7animation · drama · comedy

Both keep coming back to the same thing: harem

The difference: Sits closer to drama than Rent-a-Girlfriend does

Fuutarou Uesugi is a poor, antisocial ace student who one day meets the rich transfer student Itsuki Nakano. They argue but when Uesugi realizes he is to be her tutor, he tries to get on better terms. While trying to do so he meets four other girls.

Mission: Yozakura Family poster
Mission: Yozakura Family
2024– · 2 seasons · MBS
★ 6.9animation · comedy · action & adventureHuluDisney+

Both are built on the same subject: shounen

Taiyo Asano has been on his own ever since his parents died and the only one who seems to care for him is his childhood friend and classmate, Mutsumi Yozakura. But Mutsumi has a secret—she is the head of a family of spies! And on top of that, her brother Kyoichiro is dangerously protective of her! To stop Kyoichiro from killing him, Taiyo and Mutsumi must take the ultimate leap—marriage! Because in the Yozakura family, family cannot kill family.

Slam Dunk poster
Slam Dunk
1993–1996 · 1 season · tv asahi
★ 8.7animation · comedyNetflix

Both keep coming back to the same thing: slice of life

The difference: 27 years apart, and the 1990s show

Sakuragi Hanamichi is a junior high punk used to getting into fights and being rejected by girls but upon entering high school he meets the girl of his dreams, Haruko Akagi. He will do anything in order to win her heart including joining the school basketball team that is aiming to conquer the nation lead by Haruko's brother. The problem is that Sakuragi has never played basketball before and a freshman sensation is stealing the spotlight and Haruko's affection from him.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo poster
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
2016–2017 · 1 season · MBC
★ 8.3comedy · drama

One thread runs through both: college

A competitive swimmer crosses paths with his childhood friend, a rising weight lifting star, and realizes that she has a secret crush on his cousin.

My Dress-Up Darling poster
My Dress-Up Darling
2022–2025 · 1 season · Gunma TV
★ 7.9animation · comedy · dramaNetflix

Both keep coming back to the same thing: anime

High schooler Wakana Gojo wants to become a kashirashi—a master craftsman who makes traditional Japanese Hina dolls. Though he's gung-ho about the craft, he knows nothing about the latest trends, and has a hard time fitting in with his class. The popular kids—especially one girl, Marin Kitagawa—seem like they live in a completely different world. That all changes one day, when she shares an unexpected secret with him, and their completely different worlds collide.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai poster
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
2018–2025 · 2 seasons · Gunma TV
★ 8.1animation · comedy · dramaHulu

Witty and playful in the same breath

Puberty Syndrome—a rumored, mysterious syndrome that only affects those in their puberty. For example, a bunny girl suddenly appeared in front of Sakuta Azusagawa. The bunny girl's real identity is Mai Sakurajima, a teenage celebrity who is currently an inactive high school senior. For some reason, her charming figure does not reflect in the eyes of others. In the course of revealing the mystery behind this phenomenon, Sakuta begins to explore his feelings towards Mai. Set in a city where the skies and seas shine, Sakuta unfolds the meaning behind his bizarre encounters on women with the said syndrome.

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The best-reviewed series that share Rent-a-Girlfriend’s defining feeling.