If you want to cuddle a kitty or walk a dog but don’t want to, or can’t, own one, you need look no further than the Ja La La Cafe in Tokyo’s bustling Akihabara district. There, clients can pay by the hour for pet companions.
But what if you don’t have family and want to take a distant ‘relative’ to a social function, or you’re a divorced mom who could do with a little male influence in the household? There’s help with that too. You can rent an actor to fill the role and they do more than simply make an appearance, they actually do ‘play’ the part.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Rent-a-friend
- The trend of renting people, whether for companionship or specific roles, presents an opportunity for disruption in industries such as entertainment, events, and personal services.
- On-demand Actors
- The availability of actors for short-term rentals could disrupt industries such as film and television production and advertising.
- Temporary Pet Ownership
- The trend of renting pets for temporary companionship offers opportunities for disruption in the pet care industry, particularly for those who cannot commit to long-term pet ownership.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Entertainment
- The trend of renting friends and actors for personal use could disrupt traditional entertainment industries by providing more personalized and customizable experiences.
- Event Planning
- Renting friends or actors to attend events could disrupt traditional event planning and staffing services.
- Pet Care
- The trend of renting pets for temporary companionship could disrupt traditional pet care services by providing a low-cost and low-commitment alternative for pet lovers.
