Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced on October 29 that Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend gets a three-day theatrical run in the U.S. and Canada on February 21, 23 and 24, 2027. The CloverWorks film opened in Japan on October 16 and shares its name with the 15th and final light novel volume, so this is the franchise heading for its ending. If you've only seen the 2018 series, here's the order to catch up before February.
Quick answer
The Rascal Does Not Dream (Bunny Girl Senpai) watch order is release order: Bunny Girl Senpai (TV, 2018, 13 episodes) → Dreaming Girl (film, 2019) → Sister Venturing Out (film, 2023) → Knapsack Kid (film, 2023) → Santa Claus (TV, 2025, 13 episodes) → Dear Friend (film, 2026). Every entry is produced by CloverWorks and based on Hajime Kamoshida's novels. According to SenpaiRanks, the highest-rated entry is the film Dreaming Girl (8.12), followed by Bunny Girl Senpai (7.94). Dear Friend screens in North American theaters on February 21, 23 and 24, 2027 through Crunchyroll and Sony.
The North American screenings
Crunchyroll posted an English-subtitled trailer alongside the dates:
Sōichi Masui directs again, Masahiro Yokotani writes, Satomi Tamura designs the characters and fox capture plan scores it. The main cast is back: Kaito Ishikawa as Sakuta, Asami Seto as Mai and Inori Minase as Shōko. In Japan the film left the box office top 10 in its second weekend, so a three-day run in the West is about what you'd expect for a franchise finale.
The watch order, with scores
1. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018) — 7.94
The TV series covers the first five novels: Sakuta, Mai and the "Adolescence Syndrome" that makes people vanish. It streams on Crunchyroll.
2. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl (2019) — 8.12
Shōko's story, and the high point of the series on our board. Crunchyroll has carried it with sub and dub since June 2025. Don't skip it, because the TV series ends on a setup for this film.
3. Sister Venturing Out (2023) — 7.18
A smaller story about Kaede returning to school.
4. Knapsack Kid (2023) — 7.33
Sakuta's family story, and the bridge into the university years.
5. Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus (2025) — 7.16
The "University Student Arc" TV season, streaming on Crunchyroll with an English dub.
6. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend (2026)
The finale film. Its board opens once North American audiences can vote, so if you see it in February, come back and rate it.
Worth the catch-up?
Yes. The first season and Dreaming Girl are some of CloverWorks' strongest work, and they're the reason the franchise has lasted eight years. Read our release-date guide for the Japan run and see where the series sits in our CloverWorks ranking.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: What order should I watch Rascal Does Not Dream in?
A: Bunny Girl Senpai (2018), Dreaming Girl (2019), Sister Venturing Out (2023), Knapsack Kid (2023), Santa Claus (2025), then Dear Friend (2026).
Q: When does Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend come out in the US?
A: Crunchyroll and Sony are screening it in U.S. and Canadian theaters on February 21, 23 and 24, 2027.
Q: Is Dear Friend the last Rascal Does Not Dream movie?
A: It shares its title with the 15th and final novel volume, and it moves the story towards its finale.
Q: What is the best Rascal Does Not Dream entry?
A: On SenpaiRanks, the film Dreaming Girl leads at 8.12, ahead of the Bunny Girl Senpai TV series at 7.94.
Q: Where can I watch Bunny Girl Senpai?
A: The TV series, Dreaming Girl and the Santa Claus season stream on Crunchyroll in North America.