Sarky teen Sakuta is shocked when famous teen actress Mai Sakurajima wanders into a library dressed as a bunny girl…and he’s the only one who can see her?! The pair quickly discover that Mai seems to be disappearing from everyone’s view, and it might have something to do with the bizarre ‘Adolescence Syndrome’ which is rumoured to cause strange supernatural occurrences to teenagers. This strange syndrome also affected Sakuta’s sister, causing her to stay home from school after cuts began to appear on her body following online bullying, so Sakuta determines that he will get to the bottom of the mysterious syndrome.
This anime sucked me in pretty quickly, blending the supernatural mysteries of the ‘Adolescence Syndrome’ well with the standard trappings of a high school drama. Mai is an interesting character who often acts cold and aloof but is humanised well with her acting backstory and her fears of being forgotten following the effects of the Adolescence Syndrome. Sakuta’s sarcasm, pervy nature and frankness makes him an amusing person and his interest in Mai also sweetens his character – he even makes a love confession as early as the third episode. The two make a great pair to watch, tussling with each other in a witty, endearing teenage way.
Although this anime is based on a light novel, it could have worked as a dating sim, as there are multiple cute girl characters in the anime. Sakuta is the only male character that gets a lot of screentime, so it definitely falls into the ‘harem anime’ category, although that being said, whilst many of the female characters are interested in Sakuta (even his sister?!), he only has eyes for Mai which is quite sweet. The harem formula works well in terms of introducing new characters that can have the ‘Adolescence Syndrome’ in some way, whilst running alongside other ongoing storylines such as Sakuta and Mai’s relationship.
I found this anime to be a really interesting one, as it builds some pretty interesting sci-fi storylines into its teen drama in a really understated way. Each episode often feels quite ‘slice of life’-y and grounded in reality as we see the characters talking on the train, over lunchtime in class or at night while crashing at someone’s house. The whole thing feels quite relaxed and intimate, to the point that you forget that the events happening are these outlandish sci-fi occurrences.
It’s also worth praising this anime for the way it uses the sci fi occurrences to represent different elements of teenage plight. One character unwittingly makes the same day repeat over and over because she wants a particular outcome, another unintentionally separates into two different versions of herself. Sci fi has always been a great mechanism for exploring the human condition, and teenagers are a particularly rich goldmine due to all the different things they are experiencing and feeling for the first time, so Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai did well here to explore those themes in such a nuanced and understated way. Although Sakuta is frequently a cheeky so and so to everyone around him, he’s always incredibly accepting and non-judgemental to the girls around him causing these events to happen which is also nice to see, even if his constant lewdness seems like a broken record at times.
One thing I did find quite odd is how little the characters seem to react to these bizarre happenings, and Sakuta never seems panicked or desperate to get to the bottom of it (unless he’s in danger of losing Mai in some way) and resolve the origins of the ‘Adolescence Syndrome’. I also have to question how ‘Adolescence Syndrome’ isn’t more widely talked about and investigated in the rest of the world – one female character affected by it has remained the age she was when Sakuta knew her several years ago – something that surely many people would have noticed! However, I’m willing to let these elements slide because the episodes are really enjoyable and well conducted overall.
I’m really enjoying this anime and can’t wait to see where it will go. If you enjoy sci fi storylines and teenage drama you should definitely check it out. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is releasing new weekly episodes on Crunchyroll now.
My blog is officially five years old today! I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has read, liked and commented on these posts over the years, I really appreciate it and I look forward to continuing to write this blog as long as I can! ❤
Otaku Brit (^.^) 
I’m enjoying this anime as well!!