The latest installment in the Rascal Does Not Dream series, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, continues to delve into the enigmatic phenomenon of Puberty Syndrome as protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa navigates his university life. Episode 10, titled “Holy Night,” significantly advances the plot, bringing Sakuta closer to understanding the mysterious Touko Kirishima and revealing a new, complex case of Puberty Syndrome.
The Search for Touko Kirishima’s True Identity
As Sakuta Azusagawa transitions from high school to university, the familiar challenges of Puberty Syndrome follow him, albeit in new forms. In Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, his primary focus has been the elusive Touko Kirishima, a girl who claims to be responsible for distributing Puberty Syndrome cases.
In Episode 10, “Holy Night,” Sakuta’s investigation into Touko takes a crucial turn. His friend Takumi Fukuyama’s discovery of a beauty pageant website leads Sakuta to a familiar “Miniskirt Santa.” However, the name listed isn’t Touko Kirishima, but rather Nene Iwamizawa, suggesting a hidden identity or an alias for Touko. This discovery pushes Sakuta to deepen his search for the truth behind Touko Kirishima.
Sara Himeji’s Puberty Syndrome Revealed
A significant development in “Holy Night” is the reveal of Sara Himeji’s unique Puberty Syndrome. Sara offers her assistance to Sakuta in his quest to find Touko Kirishima, an offer he accepts due to her unusual abilities.
Clairvoyance Through Contact
Sara’s Puberty Syndrome manifests as clairvoyance, allowing her to perceive the thoughts of individuals she physically collides with. This ability explains how she became aware of Sakuta’s pursuit of Touko Kirishima. Her powers are a direct consequence of her past experiences and emotional struggles. Sara believed it was natural for people to love her, leading to a significant shock when her childhood friend, Kasai, confessed he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. This inability to comprehend Kasai’s perspective directly led to her Puberty Syndrome, giving her the power to “see through another person’s eyes and hear their thoughts.”
The Emotional Weight of Sara’s Syndrome
Despite the utility of her powers in helping Sakuta, Sara’s Puberty Syndrome carries a deeper, more personal meaning. It serves as a means for her to learn empathy and understand that the world doesn’t revolve around her. However, her ingrained self-centered tendencies have led her to misuse this ability, employing it to charm and seduce men. Sakuta represents a significant challenge for her, as he is already in a committed relationship with Mai Sakurajima, and her attempts to sway him prove ineffective due to his unwavering devotion to Mai.
The Christmas Eve Plan
With Sara’s newfound assistance, a plan begins to form to confront the “Miniskirt Santa.” Sara suggests using her abilities at an upcoming event where the Miniskirt Santa will perform her new song live on Christmas Eve. This concert is identified as the prime opportunity to get closer to the truth about Touko Kirishima/Nene Iwamizawa.
Looking Ahead
Episode 10 sets the stage for a dramatic climax as Sakuta, aided by Sara, closes in on the identity and motives of Touko Kirishima. The introduction of Sara’s Puberty Syndrome not only provides a unique ability to the team but also adds another layer of emotional and psychological depth characteristic of the Rascal Does Not Dream series. The “Holy Night” promises to be anything but peaceful as Sakuta prepares for a significant confrontation that will likely unravel more mysteries surrounding the pervasive Adolescence Syndrome.
