100 Girlfriends Season 2 Episode 1 Recap: Exploring Mind and Fourth Wall Breaks

Overview

Season 2 of The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You captures the essence of its predecessor, featuring captivating plot twists and clever references.
The continuation introduces an array of body-swapping scenarios and enjoyable meta-humor that ensures the show’s wild spirit prevails.
Kurumi Haraga, the seventh girlfriend, enriches the narrative with her distinct character design and unique food-related personality traits.

Title	Season 2, Episode 1 of The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You: “Her Name”
Studio	Bibury Animation Studios
Release Date	January 12, 2025

Warning: The content below contains spoilers for 100 Girlfriends, Season 2, Episode 1, “Her Name”, now available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

After much anticipation, The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You has launched its second season. Concluding Season 1 saw Rentarou capturing the hearts of six girls, and with hints from the new season’s themes, it’s apparent he’ll attract at least five additional admirers.

For fans concerned that the follow-up season might not match the first’s enjoyment level, there’s no need for worry. The unmistakable vibe from Season 1 has been preserved so effectively that viewers who binge-watch the first season and jump straight to the Season 2 premiere might easily mistake it for a continuation, only truly recognizing it’s a new chapter through the characters’ playful acknowledgments of the transition.

Freakier Friday

Body Swapping Girlfriends

The body-swapping trope finally makes its appearance in 100 Girlfriends. Following an accidental mishap with a love-preserving drug created by Kusuri, Rentarou finds himself in a predicament: the six girls unintentionally change bodies.

To resolve this chaotic situation, Rentarou must kiss each girl, a quirky solution that allows their spirits to return to their original bodies. For anyone skeptical about whether Season 2 would tone down the outrageous antics, this episode provides ample assurance of its unrestrained, entertaining spirit. It’s almost as if series creator Rikito Nakamura is quipping back, “You thought we ran out of outrageous scenarios?”

“Switched places? Like in Your N*me?”- Rentarou, upon discovering the girls’ body swap predicament.

Poor Fourth Wall-kun Keeps Getting Broken

Just as in the previous season, Season 2 joyfully plays with fourth-wall-breaking humor and numerous pop culture references. Iconic titles such as Your Name, Castle in the Sky, and even the Lawson convenience store chain get playful nods, with clever alterations and blurrings to sidestep copyright issues. Notably, the episode’s title, “Her Name,”serves as a delightful homage to Your Name, as the narrative includes body-switching elements.

Girlfriend #7: Kurumi Haraga

The Hangry-you

With the Hakari-Hahari situation behind him, Rentarou resumes his quest to connect with the remaining 94 girls, swiftly encountering the seventh soulmate: Kurumi Haraga. This third-year middle school student is introduced when Rentarou unexpectedly bumps into her in the school cafeteria. The series excels in character design, and Kurumi stands out with her cool, lone-wolf aesthetic, featuring short purple hair, striking emerald eyes, and a casual dark gray hoodie adorned with green and purple accents. Her headphones signal her desire to shut out the chaotic world around her.

Kurumi has a voracious appetite and a speedy metabolism, resulting in an incessant preoccupation with food. Any hint of food-related stimuli sends her into a craving frenzy. To manage this overwhelming desire, she often enshrouds herself in her hoodie and headphones, effectively muting the outside world. Initially presenting as a typical tsundere, she unveils additional layers; her sometimes grumpy demeanor stems from an almost constant state of hunger, and once she sates her cravings, her personality shifts to a more cheerful one.

As with previous characters, Kurumi’s name is an intentional pun reflecting her persona—an enjoyable convention in anime. Her last name, Haraga (原賀), combines “field” and “joy,” while “hara” can mean “stomach,” albeit with a different kanji. Thus, her name cleverly encapsulates her character traits, blending food cravings with happiness.

Visuals and Audio

How Do They Compare to Season 1?

Despite being a newer title outside the shōnen battle genre, 100 Girlfriends continues to deliver impressive animation quality in its second season. The premiere episode features consistent artistry, animation fluidity, commendable voice acting, and balanced audio mixing—grocer expectations for a series’ first episode. Observers hope this high standard persists throughout the season.

Opening and Ending Themes

100 Girlfriends Season 2 Ending Theme Unmei?

The opening theme titled “Thanks for Being So Lovable”maintains the practice established in Season 1, as it’s performed by the voice actors of Rentarou’s girlfriends, lending a charming personal touch uncommon in many other anime openings. Its lively and colorful vibe mirrors the previous opening, “To You Who I Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love.”

Conversely, the ending theme “Unmei?”—translating to “Fate?”—shares thematic connections to the series. Notable is a chant during the song, where the girls cheer for Rentarou, enhancing viewer engagement. While the visuals feature the girls in adorable chibi forms accompanied by plush Rentarou toys, the overall impression suggests that while the previous season’s tunes might have felt more iconic, these new additions have significant potential to grow on the audience as 100 Girlfriends progresses.

Season 2 of 100 Girlfriends is now available for streaming on Crunchyroll, with Episode 2 slated for release on January 19, 2025, at 6:00 AM PT.

Source & Images