The second movie of the Rascal Does Not Dream sequel anime project Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid has confirmed a winter 2024 premiere date in theaters in Japan. The project adapts the eighth and ninth novels in the franchise: Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid with the first movie opening on June 23, 2023.
Along with the announcement, a teaser visual for the film has been revealed, featuring the protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa hand-in-hand with Mai Sakurajima, wearing a school backpack, accompanied by the text, “I won’t hesitate anymore.” The advanced movie ticket card for the film will be available from June 23, with a clear file featuring the teaser visual as a special purchase bonus.
In addition, a first-week visitor bonus was announced for the screening of the anime film “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out,” which opens June 23 in theaters in Japan. A novel by original author Hajime Kamoshida titled “Seishun Buta Yarō wa Animal Land no Yume wo Miru (Rascal Dreams of Animal Land)” will be distributed to all attendees from the opening day, June 23, until June 30. The novel unfolds the story of Sakuta, Kaede, Mai, and Nodoka visiting Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to see the pandas.
A commemorative stage welcome event will also be held on June 24, with voice actresses Asami Setō (voiced as Mai Sakurajima), Yurika Kubo (voiced as Kaede Azusagawa), Nao Tōyama (voiced as Tomoe Koga), and Sora Amamiya (voiced as Uzuki Hirokawa ) set to appear at 109 Cinemas Shonan in Kanagawa, Japan. Uzuki Hirokawa is the lead singer of the idol group Sweet Bullet, a group of Idols to which Nodoka belongs, in the series, and also the main character of the 10th volume of the light novel, Rascal Does Not Dream of Lost Singer.
A similar event, without Nao Tōyama, will take place at 109 Cinemas Futako-tamagawa and Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo. On July 2, Shinjuku Wald 9 will also host a special screening with a talk show featuring Yurika Kubo, original author Hajime Kamoshida, and director Sōichi Masui. Ticket pre-sales for both events will start on June 11 via Ticket Pia.
Additional details regarding theater merchandise, including pamphlets, acrylic mascots, tote bags, and “Kaede’s Diary,” have also been announced. The special edition theater pamphlet, housed in an original three-sided back case, will include a drama CD, “Rascal Dreams of Honey Toast.” The CD will feature the insert song, “BABY!”, sung by Mai and Kaede, which can be previewed in a video released along with the drama CD. Furthermore, approximately five minutes of the film’s opening footage has been unveiled, featuring Sakuta and Mai cheerfully going to school and a worried-looking Kaede.
▍Rascal Dreams of Honey Toast Special Drama
■ “BABY!” Insert Song Preview by Asami Setō (Mai Sakurajima CV) & Yurika Kubo (Kaede Azusagawa CV)
▍About Rascal Does Not Dream
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, or Seishun Buta Yaro, is a light novel series written by Hajime Kamoshida. The story follows Sakuta Azusagawa and multiple characters who suffer from Adolescence syndrome. This phenomenon causes many characters to suffer extremely bizarre behaviors after suffering from a traumatic incident, such as being invisible to others or having insults manifest as real-world wounds.
As Sakuta explores their version of Adolescence syndrome and tries to cure it, he learns more about the various characters in his high school, his sister, and more about himself.
The series has been adapted into a manga, and anime series with 13 episodes, and a theatrical release based on novels six and seven of the light novel.
▍Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out Anime Film Staff & Production
Original Work: Seishun Buta Yarō by Hajime Kamoshida (Published by ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko)
Original Character Design: Kēji Mizoguchi
Director: Sōichi Masui
Composition/Screenplay: Masahiro Yokotani
Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Satomi Tamura
Prop Design: Kōta Michishita
Art Setting: Yoshinori Shiozawa
Art Director: Satoshi Ōkubo
Color Design: Asuka Yokota
3D Director: Kengo Oda, Hazuki Tanaka
2D Works/Special Effects: Saya Uchiumi
Director of Photography:Xiao Mu Yang
Editing: Akinori Mishima
Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
Music: fox capture plan
Animation Production: CloverWorks
Production: Aobuta Project
▍Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out Anime Film Cast
■ Sakuta Azusagawa – CV: Kaito Ishikawa
■ Mai Sakurajima – CV: Asami Seto
■ Kaede Azusagawa – CV: Yurika Kubo
■ Tomoe Koga – CV: Nao Tōyama
■ Rio Futaba – CV: Atsumi Tanezaki
■ Nodoka Toyohama – CV: Maaya Uchida
■ Shōko Makinohara – CV: Inori Minase
■ Uzuki Hirokawa – CV: Sora Amamiya