The Seishun Buta Yarō universe is back — and this time, it’s dressed in a Santa miniskirt and emotional baggage.
Aniplex has just released the first 3 minutes of the highly anticipated Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (Seishun Buta Yarō wa Santa Claus no Yume wo Minai), giving fans an early taste of the “University Student Arc” that continues Sakuta and Mai’s bittersweet journey. And yes, the feels are strong already.
First 3 Minutes of First episode of rascal does not dream of santa claus by animeplex
🎄 First Look at Rascal’s New Chapter
Premiering on July 5 at 11:30 p.m. JST, the new season continues the story from the light novel series’ later arcs. This time, Sakuta’s life as a college student brings even more emotional curveballs — and maybe a little holiday magic?
You can catch the anime on the following channels and platforms:
| TV Channels | Streaming Services |
|---|---|
| Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV | ABEMA, U-NEXT, Anime Hōdai |
| Asahi Broadcasting (ABC TV), Mētele, AT-X | — |
New Cast & Returning Staff — Plus That Santa Girl Reveal!
Joining the familiar faces are some exciting new voices:
- Konomi Kohara as Sara Himeji
- Manaka Iwami as Miori Mitō
- Reina Ueda as Miniskirt Santa — yes, that Santa from the teaser visual!
As for the crew, it’s an all-star reunion:
- Director: Sōichi Masui (Rascal Does Not Dream, Sakura Quest)
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
- Character Designer: Satomi Tamura
- Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
- Music: fox capture plan
Opening theme: “Snowdrop” by Conton Candy
Ending theme: “Suiheisen wa Boku no Furukizu” (The Horizon Is My Old Wound) performed by the anime’s cast
The Rascal Timeline — What to Watch Before Santa Claus
If you’re catching up (or just want to relive the emotional trauma), here’s a quick breakdown of the franchise:
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018) — Covers Vol. 1–5
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (2019) — Vol. 6–7
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (2023) — Vol. 8
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (2023) — Vol. 9
You can stream recaps of the Sister Venturing Out and Knapsack Kid films now on Aniplex’s platforms.
A Milestone for the Series
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the light novel series by Hajime Kamoshida. Since debuting in 2014, the franchise has grown into one of the most beloved coming-of-age romances in anime. With over 3 million copies in circulation, the novels continue to strike a chord with fans across the world.
And yes, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend — the final volume — has already been released, giving us the full picture of Sakuta’s emotional journey.
Why AnimeKing Readers Should Be Hyped
If you’ve cried, laughed, and felt existentially attacked by Bunny Girl Senpai, then Santa Claus promises even more introspective heartache wrapped in slice-of-life comedy. It’s the kind of story that anime fans live for — relatable, weird, and deeply moving.
And with only a few weeks until premiere, AnimeKing will keep you posted on theme song drops, new trailers, streaming details, and more.
FAQs
Yes — at least watch Bunny Girl Senpai and Dreaming Girl to follow the emotional continuity.
Nope! While it’s getting closer to the end, Santa Claus is part of the larger “University Arc.” There’s more coming!
Aniplex has previously dubbed major releases in the series, so a dub is highly likely
