How to watch

Based on Hajime Kamoshida's light novels, Rascal Does Not Dream follows Sakuta Azusagawa, who meets actress Mai Sakurajima when she is wearing a bunny girl costume in a library and nobody else can see her. Together they investigate Adolescence Syndrome, a mysterious condition affecting teenagers around them. The story continues through a string of films and a newer TV season as Sakuta heads to college.

🕐 Release Order

The franchise was released in story order, which makes following it easy.

1. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018)
2. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (2019)
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (2023)
4. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (2023)
5. Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (2025)

Every film picks up where the previous entry left off, so the chronology and release order line up exactly.

📖 Story Chronology

Story order follows Sakuta from his second year of high school into university life.

1. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018)
2. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (2019)
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (2023)
4. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (2023)
5. Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (2025)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Always watch Rascal Does Not Dream in release order. A Dreaming Girl resolves the cliffhanger from the TV series and contains some of the franchise's most emotional moments, so it should never be skipped. The two 2023 films wrap up Sakuta's high school arc, and the 2025 series opens his college chapter. Watching out of order would spoil major reveals.

🔗 Related Guides

• The Monogatari Series Watch OrderGuide
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Watch OrderGuide
• Clannad Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!