Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (青春ブタ野郎はランドセルガールの夢を見ない) is the third theatrical anime film in the Rascal Does Not Dream series, adapted from the ninth volume of the light novel series. Produced by CloverWorks, it premiered in Japan on December 1, 2023, and in the United States on March 24, 2024. The story takes place in March, with only one month remaining in the third semester. Sakuta Azusagawa attends his girlfriend Mai Sakurajima's graduation ceremony. While waiting for Mai on the shore of Shichirigahama, an elementary school student who looks exactly like a younger Mai appears before him. At the same time, Sakuta receives a call from his father, telling him that his mother wants to see Kaede. This is a wish from his mother who was hospitalized for a long time, unable to fully accept Kaede's condition. Sakuta and Kaede decide to visit their mother, and he can't hide his nervousness. An unknown scar appears on Sakuta's body, which may be a sign of a new Adolescence Syndrome. The film continues the series' signature blend of adolescent anxieties and supernatural phenomena, presenting a compelling story and setting the stage for the upcoming “University Student Arc.”