English Dub Review: Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus “Heroism”

Overview

A lady dressed in a “Miniskirt Santa”-style costume suddenly appears and claims to have been handing out Puberty Syndrome to people as gifts. Sakuta sees her eyes lock on Ikumi Akagi, a former middle school classmate who is attending the same university as Sakuta, studying in the nursing program. Curious about Ikumi, Sakuta goes on a group date with female nursing program students that his friend invited him to. There, they discuss a rumor about people’s dreams coming true after they post about them on social media with an oddly specific hashtag…


Our Take

A strange encounter sets the stage for the new arc when Sakuta meets a mysterious girl in a miniskirt Santa outfit who calls herself Touko Kirishima. She hints at being connected to the strange cases of Adolescence Syndrome, drawing Sakuta’s attention toward Ikumi Akagi, a former classmate now studying nursing. While curious about Ikumi, Sakuta joins a mixer with her peers and learns of a new social media trend where anyone who posts a specific hashtag ends up having dreams come true.

The rest of the proceedings take time to reintroduce familiar faces, from old friends returning to small character moments that echo season one. There are also subtle callbacks, like conversations that mirror the iconic Bunny Girl scene, giving long-time fans plenty to enjoy. At the same time, hints about shifting relationships and unresolved tensions add a layer of intrigue to where the story might go next.

Overall, this feels like a carefully laid foundation for what’s to come rather than a big dramatic payoff just yet. The spotlight is shifting toward Akagi as the central figure, with the new “Nightingale” arc promising to explore her role in these mysterious events. Between the eerie online phenomenon, festive Halloween atmosphere, and returning ensemble, the show teases bigger questions while keeping things light and playful for now.