Kadokawa has officially revealed that the beloved Rascal Does Not Dream series will continue with a brand-new anime film titled Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend. The movie is set to release in 2026 and is based on the 15th and final volume of Hajime Kamoshida’s light novel series.
According to the announcement, this film will push the story closer to its long-awaited finale. To build excitement, Aniplex also shared a promotional video teasing what’s to come.
Aniplex reveals a teaser video for the upcoming 2026 release.
For longtime fans, this is the latest in a line of successful anime projects. The franchise first caught attention with Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai in 2018, a 13-episode TV series adapting the first five novels.
It quickly became a hit for its mix of supernatural mystery and heartfelt drama. Following that, the 2019 movie Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl expanded the story, adapting volumes six and seven.
More recently, fans have seen new chapters hit the big screen. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (2023) and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (2023) both opened strongly in Japanese theaters, each ranking at #4 in their opening weekends.
The TV anime Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus also began airing in July 2025, adapting the “University Student Arc” with Crunchyroll streaming worldwide.
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The source novels, published between 2014 and 2026, have over 3 million copies in circulation, with English releases handled by Yen Press. Fans outside Japan won’t be left behind either, as Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend will also get its English novel release in January 2026.
With the upcoming film tying directly to the series’ grand finale, this announcement marks an emotional milestone. For viewers who’ve followed Sakuta and Mai’s journey from the start, 2026 could be the year everything comes full circle.
