The highly anticipated second television anime season, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, officially wrapped up its run in September 2025, delivering a compelling conclusion to its 13-episode arc. The season finale not only resolved key narrative threads but also unveiled a major announcement for fans: the beloved Rascal Does Not Dream series will culminate with a new theatrical film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend, slated for release in 2026.
A Deep Dive into the “Santa Claus” Arc
Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus marked a significant continuation for the franchise, adapting volumes 10-13 of Hajime Kamoshida’s original light novel series. This season brought Sakuta Azusagawa into a new phase of life as a university student, enrolled alongside his girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima. The narrative, however, quickly plunged him back into the world of “Puberty Syndrome” with a fresh set of enigmatic phenomena and new characters.
The season notably covered several arcs from the light novels, including “Lost Singer,” “Nightingale,” “His Student,” and the titular “Santa Claus” arc. Central to this season’s mystery was the introduction of Touko Kirishima, a mysterious “Miniskirt Santa” who asserts that she is bestowing Puberty Syndrome upon others. Sakuta’s interactions with Touko and other new acquaintances, such as Ikumi Akagi, Sara Himeji, and Miori Mito, formed the core of his new challenges, with precognitive dreams and social media-driven poltergeists adding layers to the supernatural drama.
The events of Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus saw Sakuta navigating complex emotional landscapes, particularly as he faced the consequences of various Puberty Syndrome manifestations affecting those around him, and even grappling with a parallel reality involving his beloved Mai. The season explored themes of identity, memory, and the intricate connections between individuals, pushing Sakuta’s understanding of Puberty Syndrome to its limits.
The Season Finale: Episode 13’s Impact
The 13th episode served as the season finale for Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, airing on September 27, 2025. This final episode was crucial in bringing the immediate conflicts of the “Santa Claus” arc to a head, particularly those surrounding Touko Kirishima and the intertwined mysteries of Puberty Syndrome. Fans eagerly anticipated how Sakuta would resolve the latest wave of supernatural occurrences and protect his loved ones from their unsettling effects. The finale concluded the adaptation of light novel volume 13.
The Road Ahead: Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend
As the credits rolled on the Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus finale, a significant announcement confirmed the future of the beloved franchise. The series will not continue with another television season but will instead conclude with a new anime film titled Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend. This movie is slated for a 2026 release and is set to adapt the final volume of Hajime Kamoshida’s original light novel series, promising a definitive conclusion to Sakuta Azusagawa’s journey through adolescence and Puberty Syndrome.
The upcoming film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend, is expected to bring Sakuta’s final case of Adolescence Syndrome to light, confronting him with truths about Miori and Touko Kirishima and forcing him to make a pivotal choice. This will undoubtedly serve as a culmination of all the previous arcs, providing closure to the long-running narrative.
Where to Watch
Fans looking to catch up on Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus can stream the entire season, including the finale, on Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll also provides English dubs for the series, making it accessible to a wider international audience. The previous installments of the franchise, including Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai and the films Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out, and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid, are also available for streaming.
