Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus Episode 11, titled “The World Dreams,” plunges protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa into a complex web of prophetic visions, widespread social media phenomena, and looming danger for his girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima. A pivotal episode in the ongoing “Santa Claus arc” of the series, it aired on September 13, 2025, and delves deeper into the mysteries of Puberty Syndrome and the enigmatic Touko Kirishima.
The episode intensifies the narrative as Sakuta grapples with alarming precognitive dreams and warnings from those around him, all while the mysterious “Miniskirt Santa” makes a return, further complicating the unfolding events.
The Onset of “The World Dreams”
The episode opens with Sakuta experiencing a vivid dream where Mai Sakurajima, his girlfriend and a nationally famed actress, publicly declares herself to be Touko Kirishima at an upcoming music festival. This vision immediately sets a tense tone, hinting at a deep connection or identity crisis between Mai and the elusive Touko. Concurrent with Sakuta’s dream, social media platforms are experiencing unprecedented disruptions, flooded with posts under the hashtag “#DREAMING.” This phenomenon not only causes widespread chaos online but also appears to be linked to shared prophetic dreams among young people across Japan.
Unsettling Premonitions and the #DREAMING Phenomenon
As the digital world grapples with the “#DREAMING” trend, the implications for Sakuta and Mai become increasingly dire. Tomoe Koga, a recurring character in the Rascal Does Not Dream series, delivers a chilling warning to Sakuta. She recounts a dream where Mai is involved in a severe accident, leaving her unconscious during a public safety awareness event she was collaborating on with the police. This premonition resonates deeply with Sakuta, who recalls a message he received from a counterpart in another possible world, explicitly stating that Mai is in danger.
The collective dreaming under the “#DREAMING” hashtag appears to be more than just a social media fad; it suggests a collective manifestation of Puberty Syndrome, where individuals are seemingly glimpsing future events or even parallel realities. This concept introduces a significant theoretical dimension to the series, challenging previous understandings of how Adolescence Syndrome operates.
The Return of the Miniskirt Santa: Touko Kirishima
Amidst Sakuta’s growing anxieties, the mysterious Miniskirt Santa reappears. Identified as Touko Kirishima, she is a pivotal figure in the new “University Arc,” claiming to be the one who “gifts” Puberty Syndrome to others.
Touko’s Backstory and Her Puberty Syndrome
Episode 11 sheds more light on Touko Kirishima’s past, revealing her prior life as a popular figure who was effectively “dethroned” by Mai’s arrival at school. This complex emotional history led to her developing a unique form of Puberty Syndrome, similar in some ways to Mai’s own experiences with invisibility. Touko’s condition renders her imperceptible to most people, except for Sakuta and his “female equivalent,” Mito.
Her past also includes a connection to Sakuta’s college friend, Takumi, who appears to have attended the same college because of her. Touko expresses clear distress over Takumi’s inability to perceive her, highlighting the isolating nature of her Puberty Syndrome.
Conflicting Identities and Parallel Worlds
A key twist in the episode is the suggestion that Mai herself might be Touko Kirishima, as hinted by Sakuta’s dream. However, Touko herself is presented as being enraged by rumors linking her identity to Mai, particularly the idea that Mai would appropriate her musical career after “taking” her school life. This conflict raises questions about the nature of their connection—is it a shared identity, a misunderstanding, or a symptom of the parallel world theory?
The episode posits that the prophetic dreams associated with #DREAMING might not be visions of the future, but rather glimpses into similar, parallel worlds. This theory is supported by Sakuta’s own dream at the episode’s start, where he uses a cellphone—something the “main” Sakuta hasn’t done in years due to his sister’s past Puberty Syndrome. In a “Perfect World” timeline, Sakuta resolved Kaede’s syndrome quickly, implying he wouldn’t have abandoned his phone. This suggests that the dreams are not foretelling events in their current reality but showcasing alternate outcomes.
Kaede’s Journey and Sakuta’s Concerns
While the focus shifts to Mai and Touko, previous arcs have established Sakuta’s deep care for his sister, Kaede. Earlier in the series, Kaede began a courageous journey to overcome her own severe Puberty Syndrome, which had confined her to their home and caused her to lose memories. Her slow but determined steps towards re-entering the outside world, supported by Sakuta and Mai, were a significant emotional cornerstone of the narrative. The new threats surrounding Mai, and the complexities of Touko’s Puberty Syndrome and the parallel worlds, place Sakuta in a precarious position, forcing him to navigate new dangers while trying to protect those he cares about.
“The World Dreams” acts as a crucial turning point in Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, setting the stage for major revelations regarding Touko Kirishima, the true nature of the #DREAMING phenomenon, and the imminent threat to Mai Sakurajima. The episode expertly weaves together elements of supernatural mystery, emotional drama, and theoretical physics, promising an intense climax to the series.
