The harem madness of The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You shows no signs of slowing down. On August 23, 2026, right after the broadcast of Season 3 Episode 8 in Japan, the official anime account dropped a brand-new heroine visual for Yaku Yakuzen, officially confirming her as Rentarou Aijou’s 16th girlfriend. Even better, the legendary voice actress Rie Kugimiya has been cast in the role. An updated Season 3 key visual featuring Yaku was also released the same day, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement.
This announcement marks another major milestone in what has already been one of the most chaotic and entertaining rom-com seasons of 2026. Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about this latest addition to the ever-growing Rentarou Family.
The Big Reveal: Timing and Details
100 Girlfriends Season 3 of the series (produced by Bibury Animation Studios under director Hikaru Sato) premiered on July 5, 2026. It has been steadily introducing new soulmates while continuing the wild comedy, heartfelt moments, and signature over-the-top affection that made the first two seasons hits. Episode 8, titled something along the lines of “Kusuri-senpai’s Grandmother” (based on early reports), aired on August 23 and directly set up Yaku’s formal introduction.
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Immediately after the episode, the official X account unveiled Yaku’s dedicated heroine visual. These visuals have become a beloved tradition in the series—each new girlfriend gets a special illustration often depicting a romantic or date-like scene with Rentarou. Yaku’s visual continues that pattern, giving fans their first polished animated look at the character in full color and detail. The simultaneous update to the overall Season 3 key visual, now including Yaku alongside previous heroines, signals that she is fully integrated into the current storyline and promotional campaign.
Crunchyroll, which streams the series globally, quickly covered the news, highlighting both the visual and the casting of Rie Kugimiya. For international fans, this means the character will soon appear in subtitled episodes with her full voice performance.
Who Is Yaku Yakuzen? A Deep Character Dive
Yaku Yakuzen (薬膳 ヤク) is no ordinary addition to the harem. She is the maternal grandmother of the already eccentric drug-obsessed genius Kusuri Yakuzen, one of Rentarou’s earlier girlfriends. At a chronological age of 89 years old (birthday August 9), she is by far the oldest member of the Rentarou Family. However, thanks to an imperfect prototype of Kusuri’s immortality drug that she consumed, Yaku permanently has the physical appearance of an approximately eight-year-old girl—complete with the same youthful features, turquoise eyes, and long straight red hair that make her look strikingly similar to her granddaughter.
This permanent childlike form creates endless comedy potential. Unlike Kusuri, whose brain is still developing in some ways, Yaku retains the full maturity, wisdom, and life experience of an 89-year-old woman. She comes across as a calmer, more composed version of Kusuri—grandmotherly toward the younger girls, gentle, and often quietly amused by their youthful antics. At the same time, she has a coy, teasing side, especially toward Rentarou. She enjoys gently ribbing him and testing his reactions, adding a unique dynamic to the already massive group of girlfriends.
Yaku’s background is rich and surprisingly grounded for such a wild series. She previously worked as a combat medic, with roots stretching back to wartime experiences where she treated soldiers and experimented with field medicines. This history has left her with exceptional knowledge of pharmacology, botany, and traditional remedies. She is highly agile and surprisingly fit despite her appearance, capable of impressive physical feats when motivated. She also possesses a high tolerance for spicy or unusual foods—another family trait shared with Kusuri—due to years of testing experimental drugs.
One of her most endearing (and comedic) traits is her complete unfamiliarity with modern technology. Smartphones are “boards,” televisions are “boxes,” and cars are “iron horses.” She speaks in a more formal, old-fashioned manner and retains traditional knowledge that often confuses or amazes the younger members of the family. Despite her age and experiences, she approaches the chaotic Rentarou Family with warmth and curiosity, fitting in as both a wise elder and an active participant in the group’s adventures.
In the manga, Yaku’s introduction brings a fresh layer of generational humor and emotional depth. Her presence forces the cast (and viewers) to navigate the unusual situation of an elderly woman in a child’s body becoming one of Rentarou’s soulmates—something the series handles with its trademark blend of absurdity and genuine affection.
Rie Kugimiya: The Perfect Voice for Yaku
The casting of Rie Kugimiya is a massive win for the series. Often called the “Queen of Tsundere,” Kugimiya has an incredible track record of iconic roles: Taiga Aisaka in Toradora!, Louise in The Familiar of Zero, Shana in Shakugan no Shana, Kagura in Gintama, Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Happy in Fairy Tail and Edens Zero, and many more. Her ability to convey both youthful energy and deeper emotional layers makes her an ideal choice for a character who looks like a child but thinks and speaks like a seasoned adult.
Fans familiar with Kugimiya’s range know she can deliver soft, grandmotherly warmth one moment and sharp, teasing banter the next. Hearing her voice bring Yaku to life is expected to elevate the comedy and the quieter character moments in upcoming episodes. This casting also continues the series’ tradition of attracting high-profile talent for each new girlfriend reveal.
100 Girlfriends Season 3 Context: The Harem Keeps Expanding
100 Girlfriends Season 3 has already introduced several new faces before Yaku. Early episodes featured Chiyo Iin (the middle-school class president) and Nadeshiko “Naddy” Yamato (the America-obsessed teacher), followed by Yamame Yasashiki (the gentle giant of the gardening club) and Momiji Momi (the soft-touch masseuse). Other characters like Kishika Torotoro have also been teased. Each new girlfriend brings a distinct personality, visual motif, and episode focus, keeping the formula fresh even as the roster grows past 15 members.
The series continues to balance pure harem comedy with genuine emotional stakes. Rentarou’s determination to make every one of his 100 soulmates happy remains the core driving force, and every new addition tests that commitment in new ways. Yaku’s arrival after a family-focused arc involving Kusuri’s parents feels especially meaningful—it expands the Yakuzen household’s presence and adds generational continuity to the story.
Production remains consistent with previous seasons: Hikaru Sato directing, Takashi Aoshima handling series composition, and Akane Yano on character designs, all under Bibury Animation Studios. The opening theme “Daisuki♡Zutto Eien ni♡” performed by the Rentarou Family continues to capture the series’ joyful, over-the-top energy.
Why This Reveal Matters for Fans
Every new heroine visual and cast announcement in 100 Girlfriends feels like an event, and Yaku’s is particularly special. She breaks the typical age and appearance molds more dramatically than most previous additions. The contrast between her childlike body and mature personality opens the door for unique comedy, heartfelt family interactions, and even moments of quiet wisdom amid the chaos.
Fans have already begun discussing how Kugimiya’s performance will sound, how Yaku will interact with the existing cast (especially Kusuri, Naddy, and the more traditional personalities), and what kinds of date or family episodes her arc might bring. The updated key visual also serves as a nice visual milestone, showing just how large and colorful the current group has become.
For newcomers, this is a perfect time to jump in. Season 3 is currently airing weekly, with episodes available on Crunchyroll shortly after Japanese broadcast. The first two seasons are also available for catching up, providing the full context of Rentarou’s ever-expanding love life.
Looking Ahead
With Yaku now officially part of the animated family, Season 3 still has several episodes remaining. Expect more heroine visuals, deeper exploration of the new characters, and the same mix of ridiculous situations and sincere romance that has defined the series. The manga continues well beyond the current anime material, so there is plenty of future content waiting.
The announcement of Yaku Yakuzen’s heroine visual and Rie Kugimiya’s casting is more than just promotional news—it’s another reminder of why The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You remains one of the most entertaining and creatively bold rom-coms on the air. The harem is growing, the laughs are coming, and the love is only getting more complicated (in the best possible way).
Stay tuned for Episode 9 and beyond. The Rentarou Family just got a little bigger, a little wiser, and a whole lot more interesting.
Where to Watch: Stream Season 3 (and previous seasons) on Crunchyroll. New episodes typically drop shortly after the Japanese airing on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, and BS11.
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