The highly anticipated anime television series, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (Japanese title: Seishun Buta Yarō wa Santa Claus no Yume wo Minai), officially premiered on July 5, 2025, bringing the beloved Rascal Does Not Dream franchise into a new era with the adaptation of the “University Student Arc” of the original light novel series. The new series, produced by CloverWorks, picks up directly after the events of the Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid film, following protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa as he navigates his university life and encounters new instances of “Puberty Syndrome.”
A New Chapter for Sakuta Azusagawa
Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus marks a significant shift in the narrative, portraying Sakuta Azusagawa’s transition from high school to university. This new arc delves into his experiences as a college student, continuing his long-distance relationship with Mai Sakurajima while facing fresh enigmatic phenomena tied to “Puberty Syndrome.” The series introduces new characters and mysteries, including a mysterious figure dressed as a “miniskirt Santa” who claims to be gifting Puberty Syndrome to others.
Production and Staff Details
The new anime series sees the return of the established and acclaimed production team from previous installments of the Rascal Does Not Dream franchise. Soichi Masui is once again directing the series at animation studio CloverWorks. Masahiro Yokotani is handling the series composition, while Satomi Tamura is responsible for the character designs. The musical score is provided by fox capture plan, maintaining the distinctive auditory atmosphere of the series.
The opening theme song for Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is “Snowdrop” performed by Conton Candy. The ending theme, “Suiheisen wa Boku no Furukizu” (The Horizon Is My Old Wound), is performed by a quartet of characters: Uzuki Hirokawa, Ikumi Akagi, Sara Himeji, and Toko Kirishima. New cast members joining the series include Konomi Kohara as Sara Himeji and Manaka Iwami as Miori Mito, further expanding the universe of characters Sakuta interacts with.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
The series premiered in Japan on July 5, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. JST, airing on multiple channels including Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11. For international viewers, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is available for streaming worldwide on Crunchyroll as part of their Summer 2025 lineup. Japanese streaming services such as ABEMA, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai are also carrying the show.
The anime is scheduled to run for 12 to 13 episodes, released weekly, similar to the original Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai television series. As of July 20, 2025, the series is in its early episodes, with Episode 4 scheduled for release on July 26, 2025.
Continuing the Legacy of Puberty Syndrome
The Rascal Does Not Dream franchise, based on Hajime Kamoshida’s light novels, has captivated audiences with its unique blend of supernatural phenomena (“Puberty Syndrome”) and nuanced exploration of adolescent issues. Following the initial Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai TV anime and subsequent 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), this new TV series continues to delve into the complexities of human connection and self-discovery. Fans can expect more emotional depth and intriguing mysteries as Sakuta encounters new girls afflicted by Puberty Syndrome in his university days.
