Being an admirer of the previous anime Rascal Does Not Dream, I was not prepared for this movie at all. Until now, the series has adhered to a predetermined format. Our main character Sakuta is connected with a young woman who is going through a difficult time growing up because of anything, whether it be peer pressure, physical beauty, sibling envy, or cyberbullying, and as a result, magical things are happening. This movie, nevertheless, deviates from the norm. There is hardly anything spooky in this movie, and there isn’t a new lead female character. Instead, the main focus of this movie is on Sakuta’s sister’s case and the aftermath of his previous exploits.
Even if Kaede from before is returned, her issues still haven’t been resolved. She needs to make up two years of missed education because she currently has a two-year memory gap. Kaede is adamant about attending Sakuta’s school, even though her parents and teachers want to send her to a special school where kids with unique circumstances can learn at their own pace. Naturally, Sakuta, Mai, and everyone who loves Kaede struggle to support her even though they realize that what she wants to do might not be the greatest decision for her in the long term because Kaede is still dealing with the trauma of her bullying.
But Kaede has more than just school and her previous tragedy to overcome. She also has a great deal of insecurity due to her two-year memory loss. Those who met her over that two-year period—people who knew and loved the now-erased version of her—make up nearly all of her support network. Their current support for Kaede demonstrates their feelings for the amnesic version of her, which worries her because everyone liked that version of her. She is resolved to prove that she is valuable while feeling that she cannot measure up to her previous self.
In Kaede’s sorrowful tale, the protagonist struggles to overcome the sense of inadequacy that follows traumatic events. Accepting that you need help will just make you feel worse about yourself. It’s not all bad news, either. Her narrative is also about discovering your way while receiving support from those who love you, and it’s about not allowing those feelings dictate your destiny. It’s a compelling story for anyone who has experienced comparable emotions.
The fact that Sakuta is addressing his problems concurrently with Kaede’s story is another fantastic aspect of the film. Mai still has one more year of high school left before graduating and heading off to college in the upcoming months. As a result, their ability to get together will be reduced. Even worse, he won’t be able to enroll in her institution if he can’t improve his grades. His ability to prioritize his sister despite dealing with a lot of stress makes him an easy person to support and empathize with. His version of events also serves as the basis for Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid, the third movie in the series, which is slated to open in Japanese theaters later this year.
From a visual perspective, the surroundings are what really catch the eye—more so than the characters or any one scenario. Whether they are important sites like the school or the beach, or just ordinary city streets and train stations, the places featured throughout the movie have an incredible level of detail. It contributes to the realism of the universe and its grounded plot. With the exception of one scene, where a straightforward baseline effectively captures the intensity and seriousness of the scenario in a startlingly visceral way, the music is otherwise unmemorable.
Overall, even though this was not the movie I had anticipated seeing, it is still a fantastic addition to the Rascal Does Not Dream canon. The film’s virtually total absence of supernatural aspects lets Kaede’s plight take center stage. In addition, the movie serves as a fitting coda to everything that has come before it, demonstrating how everyone Sakuta has assisted can unite to support him by aiding Kaede. Better yet, it sets up new adventures and contains a small cliffhanger to get you ready for the next movie in the series.
