Fans of the heartfelt Rascal Does Not Dream series have a major reason to celebrate. Aniplex officially announced this past Sunday that the highly anticipated film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend, is scheduled to hit Japanese theaters in Fall 2026.
As the latest adaptation of Hajime Kamoshida’s beloved light novel series, this film isn’t just another entry, it’s being teased as the beginning of the end. Sharing its title with the 15th and final volume of the light novels, the movie looks to guide the story toward its emotional finale.
Along with the date, Aniplex unveiled a striking teaser visual that has sent the fanbase into a frenzy of speculation. The visual features a cryptic and urgent warning: “Find Tōko Kirishima, Mai is in danger.”
While the plot remains shrouded in mystery, the production team is keeping things consistent for the big finale. CloverWorks will once again handle the animation, with Sōichi Masui returning to the director’s chair. The star-studded voice cast is also confirmed to return, featuring Kaito Ishikawa as the witty Sakuta Azusagawa and Asami Seto as the iconic Mai Sakurajima.
Since the original anime Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai premiered in 2018, the franchise has become a juggernaut in the “slice-of-life meets supernatural” genre. With over 3 million copies of the light novels in circulation, the series has successfully transitioned through multiple formats:
| Title | Format | Release Year |
| Bunny Girl Senpai | TV Series | 2018 |
| Dreaming Girl | Film | 2019 |
| Sister Venturing Out | Film | 2023 |
| Knapsack Kid | Film | 2023 |
| Santa Claus (University Arc) | TV Series | 2025 |
The most recent films, Sister Venturing Out and Knapsack Kid, were massive hits in Japan, both ranking #4 in their respective opening weekends and earning millions at the box office.
What’s Next?
While Japanese fans wait for the 2026 premiere, international readers can get a head start on the story soon. The Yen On imprint of Yen Press is scheduled to publish the English version of the Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend light novel on January 6.
