The romantic comedy manga Kanojo, Okarishimasu (Rent-a-Girlfriend) continues to surprise fans, but this time not because of the story. After more than 400 chapters, readers have noticed that Reiji Miyajima has inserted himself as a new main character in his own manga.
The protagonist Kazuya recently appeared with a new look. In the story, this change reflects his job hunting and desire to build a fresh image.
However, fans quickly noticed the striking resemblance between the new Kazuya and the author Reiji Miyajima: from the smile and hairstyle to facial expressions, they are nearly identical. This coincidence sparked heated debate on social media, with many accusing the mangaka of “inserting himself” into his work to pursue a romantic relationship with the main heroine, Chizuru Mizuhara.
An obsession that’s lasted a long time
This is not the first time the Rent-a-Girlfriend author has stirred controversy over his fixation on Chizuru.
Previously, Miyajima shared illustrations and comments imagining romantic scenarios with the heroine, even describing himself as her partner in everyday situations. Some viewed this as a marketing gimmick, while others felt he crossed the line between fiction and reality by “shipping” himself with the main character.
Love and controversy
Although Reiji Miyajima is married, he has never hidden his admiration for Chizuru. Yet his self-insertion has deeply divided the community.
Critics call it a bizarre move, accusing him of escalating an already strange storyline in a manga that has run for over 400 chapters. They argue this harms the story’s quality and objectivity. Supporters see it as a display of creative passion and the author’s self-deprecating humor.
Regardless, it seems Miyajima is determined to make Rent-a-Girlfriend his most personal and controversial romantic work yet, despite the backlash.