The Rascal Does Not Dream series is back, and fans are buzzing! With Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus premiering on July 5th, 2025, excitement is building for the next chapter in Sakuta and Mai’s lives as university students. But what can viewers expect from the highly anticipated first episode? Let’s dive into the details, including the plot, characters, and where you can stream it.
The University Arc Begins
Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus marks the start of the University Arc, adapting volume 13 of the original light novel series. The story picks up with Sakuta Azusagawa now a university student in Kanazawa-hakkei, attending alongside his girlfriend, the famous actress Mai Sakurajima.
The official website teases the prologue: after helping various girls struggling with Puberty Syndrome, Sakuta’s high school days are over. However, his university life brings new challenges. He encounters a “miniskirt Santa” off-campus, who utters a familiar phrase: “I’m surprised. So, you can see me.” This mysterious girl, calling herself Touko Kirishima, claims to be spreading Puberty Syndrome like a Christmas gift.
Episode 1: Dreaming World
Based on synopses of the light novel, the first chapter, titled “Dreaming World,” sets the stage for the new arc. Here’s a glimpse of what might unfold:
- A Dreamy Concert: Sakuta attends a music festival at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse where Mai performs a song by Kirishima Touko. In the dream, Mai claims to be Kirishima Touko.
- Waking Up to Reality: Sakuta wakes up from this dream, with Mai questioning him about mentioning Akagi’s name in his sleep.
- The Santa Claus Outfit: Later, Mito Miori asks Sakuta about a girl in a Santa Claus outfit she’s seen around campus, adding to the mystery.
These events suggest the episode will likely explore themes of shared dreams, identity, and the re-emergence of Puberty Syndrome in new and unexpected ways.
Meet the New Characters
The new anime introduces several new faces who will play a significant role in Sakuta’s university life:
- Touko Kirishima: A mysterious girl dressed in a miniskirt Santa outfit. She claims to be spreading Puberty Syndrome and is an anonymous online singer. Only Sakuta can perceive her. Voiced by Reina Ueda.
- Uzuki Hirokawa: A first-year student in the International Business Department at Sakuta’s university. She calls herself a “potential friend” and doesn’t own a smartphone. Voiced by Sora Amamiya.
Where to Stream
Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus will be available for streaming on Crunchyroll as part of their Summer 2025 lineup.
What is Puberty Syndrome?
For those new to the Rascal Does Not Dream series, Puberty Syndrome is a mysterious phenomenon affecting adolescents, triggered by sensitivity and instability during that period of their lives. It manifests in various supernatural ways, reflecting the characters’ inner struggles and emotional turmoil.
Main Staff and Cast
The series reunites the core creative team:
- Original Work: Hajime Kamoshida
- Director: Soichi Masui
- Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
- Character Design: Satomi Tamura
- Animation Production: CloverWorks
The main voice cast includes:
- Kaito Ishikawa as Sakuta Azusagawa
- Asami Seto as Mai Sakurajima
- Nao Toyama as Tomoe Koga
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Rio Futaba
- Maaya Uchida as Nodoka Toyohama
- Yurika Kubo as Kaede Azusagawa
- Inori Minase as Shoko Makinohara
A Quick Recap of the Franchise
The Rascal Does Not Dream series began as a light novel series written by Hajime Kamoshida and illustrated by Keiji Mizoguchi. It was adapted into an anime in 2018, garnering popularity for its mix of romance, mystery, and supernatural themes.
The correct watch order is:
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (TV Anime, 13 episodes)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (Movie)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (Movie)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (Movie)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (TV Anime)
The Music
The opening theme song for Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is “Snowdrop” by Conton Candy, while the ending theme song is “Suiheisen wa Boku no Furukizu” performed by the characters Uzuki Hirokawa, Ikumi Akagi, Sara Himeji, and Toko Kirishima.
New Trailer
A trailer for the new anime series shows Sakuta and Mai in college and previews both opening and ending songs.
Is the Real Miniskirt Santa in a Sea of Fakes?
The official description of Volume 14 gives a little more insight: “Sakuta thought he’d already accomplished step one: Find Toko Kirishima. The next step was convincing her to help protect Mai, but that proved easier said than done. In the process, however, he makes a confusing discovery: There are multiple Toko Kirishimas! The Toko he knows may not actually be the person he’s looking for! With clues from his friends’ prophetic dreams, he gets closer to figuring out exactly what danger awaits Mai, but he’ll have to sort through the fake Kirishimas and determine who’s the real deal before it’s too late…”
Final Thoughts
With its intriguing premise, beloved characters, and the promise of more supernatural mysteries, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is shaping up to be a must-watch anime of the Summer 2025 season. Tune in on July 5th to see what awaits Sakuta and Mai in their new university adventures!
