In 'Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl', the MC Has to Choose Between His True Love and His First Love

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is an anime film that continues the story of the 13-episode 2018 anime series Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.  So I guess having a movie serve as the canonical sequel to an anime’s debut season is a growing trend (traditionally, anime films based on anime TV series are non-canon standalones).  That was the case with Kabeneri of the Iron Fortress, and that’s also what’s going to be the case with Goblin Slayer and Kimetsu no Yaiba next year.  Anyway, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is the latest example of such.

All the beloved characters from Bunny Girl Senpai are here, but the storyline finally focuses on Shoko Makinohora, the shy, cat-loving middle-schooler who shares the same name and look as main protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa’s first love.  She was already introduced in the TV show, but hadn’t had her own arc yet – until now.  The film explores what her Puberty Syndrome is, and her connection with the high-schooler Shoko whom Sakuta met when he was still in middle school.  This mysterious, older Shoko – who is now in college – also shows up here, throwing a wrench into Sakuta and Mai’s relationship.

If that previous paragraph doesn’t make any sense to you, it’s likely because you haven’t watched the anime series.  This movie operates under the presumption that its audience is already familiar with who these characters are and what on the earth is Puberty Syndrome.  It’s nearly impossible to really get into it otherwise.

Dreaming Girl is angstier than Bunny Girl Senpai, as the dilemma at its center is quite onerous.  What this initially does is set up Sakuta’s Messiah complex to become more frustrating than it has ever been.  On the other hand, this also gives way for an emphatic display of how deep Sakuta and Mai’s love is for each other.  Indeed, even though their dry, sarcastic, witty bantering – the default of their relationship – is once again delightfully showcased, the poignant exploration of its serious side is the true crème de la crème of this movie.

With Shoko in the mix, there’s a “love triangle” at play in its plot – in a sense.  And, yes, part of it involves Sakuta making a choice between Mai and Shoko, although probably not in the way that you think.  It’s not really a situation which put Sakuta’s fidelity in doubt.  There’s some jealousy and flirting that occur, but these are mostly played for humor.  As far as what it has to do with their relationship, Sakuta and Mai are quite secure with each other all the way.  Nonetheless, what stems from all of these is one heck of a tearjerker.

Absorbing, thoughtful, and Shinkai-esque, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is a doozy of an anime drama, although it does require watching Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai first.