Michelle Topham 
The highly-anticipated anime Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus has a new trailer out, a cute visual, and an official premiere date (July 5th, 2025).
The upcoming anime is the follow up to the film Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid, a movie that came out on December 1st, 2023.
So yep, we are heading towards two years by the time this next one hits.
The trailer, visual and premiere date were released earlier today via the official Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Clause website, with the visual featuring a rushing Mai Sakurajima who has just passed Miniskirt Santa while in the park. (see below)
The problem is, as Miniskirt Santa is suffering from the same Puberty Syndrome Sakurajima used to suffer from, she couldn’t see her.
Meanwhile, the trailer shows protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa discovering more and more girls are suffering from Puberty Syndrome, as Miniskirt Santa seems to be the one at fault as she is “passing the syndrome out like it’s a gift”.
It follows on from the anime’s first trailer, which came out in March, and also introduced voice actors Konomi Kohara and Manaka Iwami.
This time, it also features snippets of the anime’s OP and ED.
Along with the visual and the latest trailer, the website also confirmed the anime series premieres in Japan on Saturday, July 5th at 23:30.
The Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus production details
Like all the others in the long-running franchise, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is based on the light novel series by Hajime Kamoshida.
Director Soichi Masui is back directing the new series, with Masahiro Yokotani in also returning to be in charge of series composition once again, while Satomi Tamura is back designing the characters.
CloverWorks (Wind Breaker) is also back animating the series.
As for the Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus plot, it is from Volume 13 of the light novel series and goes like this:
A slightly mysterious coming-of-age story – the 13th installment that uncovers the true identity of “Kirishima Touko”!
“I’ll protect Mai-san.”
“Then I’ll protect Sakuta.”Who is the miniskirt Santa that only Sakuta can see? And will the mystery be solved?
Check out the latest Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus trailer below, which features that stellar art style and some of the same quirky characters (and some new ones) we have enjoyed through the entire franchise.
Watch the anime itself starting July 5th.
About the Author
Steven Reynolds 
