Fans of the “Rascal Does Not Dream” series can rejoice as Crunchyroll has officially begun streaming the films Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid. Both movies, which adapt the eighth and ninth volumes of Hajime Kamoshida’s popular light novel series, became available on the platform starting this Saturday, August 2nd, with both English subtitles and English dubs.
A Long-Awaited Streaming Release
The theatrical releases of these films were significant events for the franchise. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out first premiered in Japan in June 2023, while Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid followed in December 2023. Aniplex of America previously screened both films in U.S. theaters in March 2024, offering both subtitled and dubbed versions. The move to Crunchyroll now makes these crucial installments of the “High School Arc” more accessible to a wider international audience.
Continuing Sakuta’s Journey and Adolescence Syndrome
The “Rascal Does Not Dream” series centers on Sakuta Azusagawa and the mysterious “Adolescence Syndrome” that affects various young women around him, manifesting as supernatural phenomena tied to their adolescent anxieties and issues. These two films serve as a direct continuation of the narrative established in the preceding anime series, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and the film Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl.
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out
This film focuses on Sakuta’s younger sister, Kaede Azusagawa. Following a dissociative break and amnesia caused by online bullying, Kaede is attempting to recover and navigate a two-year memory gap. The story delves into her decision-making regarding high school, particularly her desire to attend the same school as Sakuta, Minegahara High, despite her past absences. The film explores themes of recovery, self-acceptance, and the struggle to move forward after trauma, with a less prominent role for supernatural elements compared to earlier arcs.
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid
This installment shifts its focus back to Sakuta as he grapples with the looming prospect of college and the return of his mother, who was hospitalized after Kaede’s bullying. Sakuta also encounters a young girl resembling a child version of his girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima, raising questions about new manifestations of Adolescence Syndrome. The film aims to provide a satisfying conclusion to the “High School Arc,” tying up remaining plot threads and emphasizing Sakuta’s personal growth and his need to address his own unresolved issues. Themes include the importance of support systems, accepting limitations, and the evolving dynamics of family relationships.
Watch Order for New Viewers
For viewers looking to watch the series in chronological order and fully understand the narrative, the recommended watch order is:
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (Season 1 TV anime)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (First movie, also streaming on Crunchyroll)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (Second movie)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (Third movie)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (New TV anime series, adapting the “University Student Arc,” which premiered in July 2025)
The availability of Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid on Crunchyroll is a welcome development, allowing fans to experience the complete “High School Arc” of the beloved franchise.
