Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out

After a grueling December, Sakuta is closing out his second year of high school while Mai faces the pressures of being a third-year student, which means their time together is shrinking as graduation nears. At home his younger sister Kaede has been reclaiming small freedoms, testing her limits after a long period of withdrawal. Encouraged but anxious, she sets a bold objective: enroll at Sakuta's school. That decision ripples through the family and Sakuta's circle of friends, because everyone knows how much effort Kaede still needs to go outdoors and interact. Sakuta wants to help, and he has instincts about what would protect her, but he also worries what Kaede truly wants and whether his support might cross a line.

Released in 2023 and directed by Soichi Masui, the film continues Hajime Kamoshida's Rascal Does Not Dream franchise, with series scripts by Masahiro Yokotani, adapting characters and themes from the original light novels, bringing back much of the original cast.

The film had a limited theatrical run in Japan and select international screenings, earning modest returns compared with mainstream anime hits, though no major box office tally was widely disclosed to the public, and later reached home video and streaming.

Within the franchise community the film reinforced interest in the series' approach to mixing supernatural elements with intimate character work, particularly Kaede's gradual reengagement with the world. Fans highlighted emotional beats and animation details, helping the movie maintain a steady presence on streaming playlists among genre viewers and fan communities.

Critics and fans gave generally positive responses, the film holding a 7.7/10 user rating, praising its focus on family dynamics, adolescent uncertainty, and recovery from social withdrawal. Reviews noted steady pacing, strong voice work, and scenes that stress the limits of care and personal choice. Voice acting earned particular praise.