Fans of Seishun Buta Yarō (Rascal Does Not Dream) were greeted with electrifying news during a special New Year live stream. The promotional video premiered, revealing the upcoming anime adaptation of the novel series’ “University Student Arc”.
The Sunday broadcast not only shared this exhilarating announcement but also presented a visual for the upcoming “Rascal Does Not Dream of School Memory -Aobuta Exhibition-” event. This immersive exhibition is set to take place at the MATSUYA GINZA department store’s 8th Floor Event Square in Tokyo, beginning on March 12 and concluding on March 24.
Enthusiasts of the franchise should also note that the exhibition will tour key cities, namely Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto. Additionally, a grand event labeled “Rascal Does Not Dream of Sugar Diary” is slated for April 7, set to occur at the Chigasaki Civic Cultural Center located in Kanagawa, just south of Tokyo.
The franchise’s recent continuation saw immense success with the sequel movie, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid. Released in over a hundred Japanese theaters on December 1, the film soared to the fourth spot at the box office on its opening weekend. With 119,000 tickets sold, the movie grossed a remarkable 163 million yen (approximately US$11.12 million) in just three days.
These sequel movies breathe life into the eighth and ninth novels of the series: Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid. The former graced screens in June 2023, and echoed its sequel’s success by selling 118,108 tickets and earning 175,648,924 yen (around US$1.28 million), achieving the fourth position during its opening weekend as well.
The enthralling tale began with the Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai television anime, adapted from the light novel series and first aired in Japan in October 2018. Spanning 13 episodes, the series covered the narrative up to the fifth novel volume and subsequently garnered a dedicated following. Aniplex of America facilitated the show’s reach to international audiences by streaming it on platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Moreover, the franchise’s story continued with the film Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl, which adapted the sixth and seventh volumes and opened to Japanese audiences in June 2019. The movie also received international acclaim, with Aniplex of America and Funimation Films bringing it to theaters in the United States.
The original novel that sparked the phenomenon, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, was first published by Kadokawa in April 2014, courtesy of author Hajime Kamoshida. Yen Press has taken on the task of translating and releasing the compelling novel series for English-speaking fans.
Sources: Rascal Does Not Dream anime’s livestream, Comic Natalie
Final Thoughts
In a fusion of youthful aspirations and supernatural intrigue, the Seishun Buta Yarō series continues to captivate audiences on both screen and page. Its expansion into the university chapter foreshadows a new depth and maturity to a story many have grown to love. As fans eagerly await the anime adaptation’s release, the spirited events and exhibitions offer a perfect venue for the community to celebrate and revel in the unique magic that is Rascal Does Not Dream. The anticipation is palpable, and the affection for the franchise remains as strong as ever.
