The long-awaited Volume 15 of the light novels “Seishun Buta Yarou (Rascal Does Not Dream)”, has finally been released, marking the end of the popular series. This last volume, titled “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend”, had already been announced as the definitive closure of the story, and has generated great interest among fans who have followed the series since its inception.
The official synopsis describes this volume as “a somewhat mysterious youth story that concludes with dignity“, featuring Sakuta Azusagawa, the protagonist, facing the ultimate Puberty Syndrome. The synopsis adds: “I'm glad to have met you. When Miori comes into contact with the truth about Touko Kirishima, Sakuta is also forced to make a decision…“. This installment promises an emotional and thoughtful conclusion for the characters, who have gone through countless challenges and inexplicable phenomena throughout the series.
Since its publication began in 2014, the “Seishun Buta Yarou” franchise has managed to captivate a large audience with its mix of romance, supernatural elements and Puberty Syndrome — a fictional phenomenon that affects adolescent characters in moments of emotional crisis. The popularity of the novels increased further with the anime adaptation in 2018, which featured the first arc focusing on Mai Sakurajima, an actress who suffers from invisibility due to Puberty Syndrome.
The anime adaptation was an immediate success, earning praise for its fluid animation, intriguing storytelling, and deeply developed characters. A movie, “Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl,” was later released, covering one of the series' most emotional arcs, leaving fans eager for more content.
Over the years, the franchise has released several animated sequels and additional light novel volumes, which have continued to explore the mysteries of Puberty Syndrome and the relationships between the main characters. With the publication of the final volume, the story of Sakuta and his friends finally comes to its conclusion, ending a journey that has kept fans hooked for a decade.
The publication of this latest volume has generated a wave of comments in the online community, with opinions ranging from nostalgia to expectations about how the story will conclude. Some of the notable comments include:
- «Does a story that seems straight out of a 20-year-old eroge novel still work?».
- «Is this volume 14 or what? Isn't he too thin?».
- «I bought my copy near work and I'm already reading it. I'm excited and scared at the same time about what the end will be like.».
- «The anime has also been releasing new installments constantly».
- «This kind of normal youth fantasy is just what we need. There are too many mediocre isekai lately! Animes end in one season and then you forget they existed until a sequel comes out years later».
- «There is so much value in concluding a series instead of lengthening it or leaving it unfinished, like many other works».
- «When will 'Sword Art Online' and 'Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei' end?».
- «Does Dengeki Bunko (publisher of the novels) have an obsession with pigs?».
- «I hope the anime goes to the end».
With the release of this final volume, fans of the series will now have the opportunity to see how the story of Sakuta and his friends concludes, marking a key moment in light novel history. The franchise has been a benchmark in the supernatural-romance genre, and its impact will likely continue to be felt as new generations discover both the novels and the anime.
Fountain: Otakomu
©鴨志田一 (著), 溝口ケージ (イラスト) / KADOKAWA
