Aniplex has officially announced that the highly anticipated anime film, Seishun Buta Yarō wa Dear Friend no Yume o Minai (Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend), will premiere in Japan in Fall 2026. This cinematic installment is slated to adapt the 15th and final volume of Hajime Kamoshida’s popular light novel series, signaling the narrative’s emotional conclusion.
The announcement was accompanied by a teaser visual and confirmation of returning key cast and staff, assuring fans of the continuation of the beloved series’ distinct style and storytelling.
Returning Talent to Bring the Finale to Life
Fans will be pleased to know that the core creative team and vocal talent behind the previous successful adaptations are returning for Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend. Sōichi Masui will once again direct the film at CloverWorks, the studio responsible for the critically acclaimed television anime and preceding films. Masahiro Yokotani is confirmed to oversee and write the script, ensuring continuity in the narrative’s intricate development. Satomi Tamura will return as the character designer, maintaining the recognizable aesthetic of the series. The band fox capture plan will also compose the music, promising the return of the distinctive auditory landscape that has become a hallmark of the franchise. Aniplex will handle the distribution of the film.
The returning voice cast includes:
- Kaito Ishikawa as Sakuta Azusagawa
- Asami Seto as Mai Sakurajima
- Sora Amamiya as Uzuki Hirokawa
- Aya Yamane as Ikumi Akagi
- Konomi Kohara as Sara Himeji
- Manaka Iwami as Miori Mitō
- Reina Ueda as Nene Iwamizawa
- Nao Tōyama as Tomoe Koga
- Atsumi Tanezaki as Rio Futaba
- Maaya Uchida as Nodoka Toyohama
- Yurika Kubo as Kaede Azusagawa
- Inori Minase as Shōko Makinohara
The Culmination of Adolescence Syndrome
The film, sharing its title with the 15th and final main volume of the light novel series, is teased as taking the story towards its finale. The light novel volume, released in Japanese in October 2024, is set for an English release from Yen Press on January 6, 2026. The synopsis for the novel, provided by Yen Press, hints at Sakuta Azusagawa facing a critical choice as he confronts the truth about Miori and Touko Kirishima, marking it as his “final case of Adolescence Syndrome!” This suggests a pivotal and emotionally charged conclusion to Sakuta’s journey.
The Rascal Does Not Dream Franchise: A Brief History
The Rascal Does Not Dream series, known in Japan as Seishun Buta Yarō or Aobuta, originated as a light novel series written by Hajime Kamoshida with illustrations by Kēji Mizoguchi. It is a youth fantasy that blends psychological and supernatural elements, set in the dazzling town of Fujisawa. The story follows protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa as he encounters and helps various individuals dealing with mysterious phenomena known as “Adolescence Syndrome.”
The anime adaptation began with the television series Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, which premiered in October 2018 and covered the first five light novel volumes. This was followed by several successful anime films:
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (June 2019)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (June 2023)
- Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (December 2023)
A second anime television season, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, also aired from July to September 2025, further expanding the animated narrative. The upcoming Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend film is poised to wrap up the overarching story, bringing a definitive end to this beloved supernatural drama.
