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

Overview

It’s the day of Sweet Bullet’s performance in an ensemble concert at a venue in Odaiba.


Our Take

Picking up from the last episode, we get a story arc that puts focus on the Idol singer Uzuki that unfolds during a high-pressure joint concert where she suddenly loses her voice mid-performance. The setback forces the group to improvise on the spot and pushes Uzuki to confront long-held doubts about her place in Sweet Bullet and what she truly wants from music, while Sakuta starts to ask her what she truly wants for herself….

The visuals balance expressive hand-drawn animation with some less-polished CG, using weather and lighting shifts to mirror the emotional beats. The pacing moves smoothly between tension, humor, and cathartic release, with strong performances and nuanced direction ensuring the emotional moments land. Even without leaning on spectacle, the episode maintains a sense of energy and sincerity.

Overall, this is a compact, emotionally sincere chapter that blends warmth, visual charm, and a touch of mystery. It’s a satisfying watch for those who value personal connections and steady character growth, leaving just enough intrigue to make the next episode feel worth anticipating. While it avoids big twists in favor of personal growth and group bonds, the episode remains musically charged, visually satisfying, and capped by the intriguing arrival of a mysterious new figure that leaves me to wonder what will happen next.