Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (Seishun Buta Yarō wa Yume-Miru Shōjo no Yume wo Minai) has officially made its long-awaited return — and this time, it’s just a click away! Crunchyroll announced it will begin streaming the emotional anime film starting 20th June, Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PDT / 8:00 p.m. EDT, complete with both English subtitles and an English dub.
For longtime fans of the Seishun Buta Yarō series (lovingly nicknamed Aobuta by Japanese fans), this is the perfect chance to revisit one of the franchise’s most powerful entries — or experience it for the first time!
What Is Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl About?
This 2019 film is not your typical anime sequel — it’s an emotional rollercoaster that picks up right after the events of the Bunny Girl Senpai TV series. If the series tugged at your heartstrings, the movie straight-up shreds them.
The film adapts Volumes 6 and 7 of Hajime Kamoshida’s original light novel series and focuses heavily on the mysterious and heartbreaking return of Shoko Makinohara — a girl from protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa’s past whose sudden appearance begins to twist reality.
Expect time travel, tough choices, and one of the most bittersweet love stories in modern anime.
Synopsis
In Fujisawa, where the skies are bright and the seas glisten, Sakuta Azusagawa is in his second year of high school. His blissful days with his girlfriend and upperclassman, Mai Sakurajima, are interrupted with the appearance of his first crush, Shoko Makinohara. For reasons unknown, he encounters two Shoko-s: one in middle school and another who has become an adult.
As Sakuta finds himself helplessly living with the Shoko-s, the adult Shoko leads him around by the nose, causing a huge rift in his relationship with Mai.
In the midst of all of this, he discovers that the middle school Shoko is suffering from a grave illness and his scar begins to throb…
Streaming Schedule & Where to Watch
| Platform | Available From | Languages |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Thursday, June 20, 2025 at 5 PM PDT | Sub + English Dub |
No need to wait for physical releases or limited screenings. Just hop on Crunchyroll and dive in.
Catch Up on the Rascal Series Before the Santa Claus Arc Hits!
The Seishun Buta Yarō universe has been expanding steadily. Here’s how everything fits in:
- 2018 TV Anime: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai – Adapts Volumes 1–5
- 2019 Movie: Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl – Adapts Volumes 6–7 (Now on Crunchyroll!)
- 2023 Films:
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (Vol. 8)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (Vol. 9)
- 2025 Anime: Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus premieres July 5 – Adapts the University Student Arc
Now is the best time to catch up or revisit the series, especially with the emotional finale drawing closer in the 15th and final light novel, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend.
Where It All Started – From Light Novels to Anime Stardom
The series began with Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai in 2014, and since then, over 3 million copies of the novels have circulated worldwide. The anime adaptations have only fueled the fandom, thanks to their relatable characters, supernatural drama, and gut-punching emotional arcs.
The novels are being officially published in English by Yen Press, while Crunchyroll is your go-to for streaming — both subbed and dubbed versions!
FAQs for AnimeKing Readers
Yes — absolutely. The film is a direct continuation of the 2018 series and won’t make much sense without that emotional build-up.
Crunchyroll already has the Bunny Girl Senpai series and the Dreaming Girl movie. The other films like Sister Venturing Out and Knapsack Kid were screened by Aniplex in theaters. Their streaming release hasn’t been confirmed yet — but AnimeKing will keep you posted!
The novels concluded with Volume 15 (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend) in October 2024. The anime is now adapting the final arc, starting July 5, 2025, with Santa Claus.
Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for Shoko’s Return?
Whether you’ve cried through the light novels or are just stepping into Sakuta’s world, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is the kind of story that stays with you. It’s raw, tender, and devastatingly beautiful — exactly what we love at AnimeKing.
So tell us —
What’s your favorite moment from the Rascal series so far? Are you Team Mai or Team Shoko?
We’d love to hear your thoughts below
