The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1: Rentaro's cousin joins the chaos

Rentaro
Rentaro's girlfriends - Source: Bibury Animation Studios

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1 uses a bold narrative structure. The episode starts with a segment with some girlfriends whose names represent different beauty ideals instead of the expected story. At the same time, the love god tells viewers about Rentaro's past while ridiculing some elements of anime's style.

The episode also introduces Rentaro's newest girlfriend, Chiyo Iin, his cousin. In fact, part of the episode contains a mixture of comedy and drama while covering a personal family story, responsibilities, and unexpected romance in Rentaro's life.


A Chaotic Street Interview Opens the Season

Hahari Hanazono getting interviewed - Source: Bibury Animation Studios
Hahari Hanazono getting interviewed - Source: Bibury Animation Studios

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1 opens with interviews of several young women about their relationships with Rentaro, with each of them offering some fun specifics regarding their boyfriends. Each interview is really quirky. One girl even gets a nickname while another girl is able to create static on the microphone through bizarre movements.

This whole situation is a good catch-up for the old viewers, but it also helps introduce the new characters as well. The Love God makes a small commentary every once in a while, and he is not really happy about the whole thing.


Rentaro Defends His Girlfriends in The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1

Rentaro as seen in The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1 - Source: Bibury Animation Studios
Rentaro as seen in The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1 - Source: Bibury Animation Studios

When the reporters are done getting their responses, she turns to ask questions from Rentaro himself. He gives a sensitive speech defending all his companions. He won’t let anyone make fun of or belittle them.

This scene has a similar emotional vibe to the one we saw at the end of last season. It emphasizes one of Rentaro's main features, which is loyalty to his loved ones. Besides that, the shape of this moment creates some energy before the shift of the episode into a more peaceful mood.


Meeting Uncle Hiro and Cousin Chiyo

Rentaro and his cousin Chiyo - Source: Bibury Animation Studios
Rentaro and his cousin Chiyo - Source: Bibury Animation Studios

The story then moves to Rentaro visiting his uncle Hiro, a man he once saved from a dangerous situation as a child. Their reunion is warm, but there's an underlying tension. Hiro's daughter, Chiyo, has grown into a serious, detail-oriented middle schooler who struggles under constant pressure to keep everything orderly.

Immediately, Rentaro sees that Chiyo is already tired and reassures her that she doesn’t have to do everything on her own. The exchange is sweet and has real emotions and feelings behind it, not just as a bunch of funny stuff.


The Truth Behind Chiyo and Rentaro's Meeting

By the end of The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 Episode 1, we find out how the whole thing was set up by Uncle Hiro. He wanted to get his daughter with someone safe, even if that would be her cousin. Chiyo is confused about how she feels and has a hard time saying it out loud.

Rentaro says he won’t take a confession unless it comes from Chiyo’s heart. The final moment of the episode is when Chiyo makes it clear that she is ready to be with him.

In conclusion, this premiere establishes the tone. It brings back the known characters, gives hints of the new characters, and enters the risky arena of the new relationship. Those who keep up with The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You season 3 episode 1 can expect the same humor and character values demonstrated in the rest of the episodes.

Edited by Akihito Chakma