Anime fans, mark your calendars for July 5th! Aniplex has just dropped the second promotional video for “Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus” (Seishun Buta Yarō wa Santa Claus no Yume wo Minai), and it’s absolutely packed with goodies that will have fans counting down the days!
The gorgeously animated trailer showcases the highly anticipated television adaptation of the “University Student Arc” from Hajime Kamoshida’s beloved light novel series. But the biggest reveal? The beautiful ending theme “Suiheisen wa Boku no Furukizu” (The Horizon Is My Old Wound), performed by a dream team of characters: Uzuki Hirokawa, Ikumi Akagi, Sara Himeji, and Tōko Kirishima!
Premiere Details and Where to Watch
The wait is almost over! “Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus” will make its grand debut on July 5th at 11:30 p.m. JST (10:30 a.m. EDT) across multiple Japanese networks including Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11. Digital viewers can catch it on popular streaming platforms like ABEMA, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai.
Additional broadcasts will follow on Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV, Mētele, and AT-X, ensuring fans across Japan won’t miss out on this spectacular continuation of the series.
Fresh Faces Join the Cast!
The “Rascal” universe expands with exciting new characters brought to life by talented voice actors:
- Konomi Kohara steps into the role of Sara Himeji (fans may recognize Kohara from her brilliant performances in “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” as Chika Fujiwara!)
- Manaka Iwami brings Miori Mitō to life (Iwami previously captivated audiences as Tohru Honda in the “Fruits Basket” reboot)
- Reina Ueda takes on the intriguing Miniskirt Santa character (Ueda’s impressive resume includes Ruri in “Dr. STONE” and Akane in “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible”)
as Sara Himeji
as Miori Mitō
Returning Masters Behind the Scenes
The creative magic continues with the return of the stellar production team:
- Director Sōichi Masui returns to the helm
- Animation powerhouse CloverWorks (known for “Spy x Family,” “My Dress-Up Darling”) handles production
- Series composition expert Masahiro Yokotani crafts the narrative flow
- Character designer Satomi Tamura ensures visual consistency
- Sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami creates the perfect audio landscape
- Musical group fox capture plan returns to score the emotional soundtrack
Adding to the musical excitement, Conton Candy performs the opening theme “Snowdrop,” promising another earworm to rival the iconic “Fukashigi no Carte” from the first season.
A Decade of “Rascal” Success!
This new installment comes during the 10th anniversary celebration of the light novel series, which began in April 2014 with “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.” The franchise has achieved remarkable success with over 3 million copies in circulation!
Kamoshida’s series recently concluded with its 15th and final volume, “Seishun Buta Yarō wa Dear Friend no Yume wo Minai” (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend), released on October 10, 2024. English-speaking fans can enjoy the novels through Yen Press’s official translations.
The “Rascal” Story So Far
For newcomers or fans needing a refresher, the “Rascal” anime journey began in October 2018 with the 13-episode “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai,” covering the first five novels.
The story continued with the emotional film “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl” in June 2019, adapting volumes six and seven. Most recently, fans were treated to a two-part film sequel in 2023: “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out” (June 2023) and “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid” (December 2023), which were screened in U.S. theaters with both subtitled and dubbed versions in March 2024.
“Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus” marks the franchise’s triumphant return to television format, continuing Sakuta Azusagawa’s journey through supernatural phenomena and heartfelt relationships.
FAQ About “Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus”
Q: Will I need to watch previous “Rascal” anime to understand “Santa Claus”? A: While each story has its unique elements, the series builds on previous character development and relationships. For the best experience, catching up with the previous season and films is recommended, though the new series will likely provide context for new viewers.
Q: Is “Miniskirt Santa” the same as the titular “Santa Claus” in the anime? A: Based on the character reveal, it appears Reina Ueda’s “Miniskirt Santa” character is indeed connected to the title, though the exact nature of this character and her role in the supernatural phenomena central to the plot remains to be seen!
Q: Will “Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus” be available internationally at the same time as Japan? A: While international streaming details haven’t been officially announced, previous “Rascal” installments were picked up by Crunchyroll and Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll). Given the popularity of the franchise, international fans can likely expect simultaneous or near-simultaneous release, though official confirmation is pending.
