Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl
青春ブタ野郎はゆめみる少女の夢を見ない
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl
青春ブタ野郎はゆめみる少女の夢を見ない
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated romantic fantasy follows high school characters through a story involving time travel, serious illness, and emotionally weighty choices, with a tone that is mostly tender, sad, and dramatic. The sensitive material comes mainly from the idea of a heart transplant, the possibility that a teenager may die in a traffic accident, scenes of grief, and repeated discussion of sacrifice, loss, and separation. The film is not graphic in a visual sense, and physical violence is limited, but the threat of death is central to the plot and can feel intense for younger viewers because it carries real emotional consequences. There is also teen romance and affectionate dialogue, though nothing sexually explicit, and the language remains mild overall. I would suggest it mainly for preteens and up, or around age 11 for children who already handle sad, complex stories well, ideally with a parent ready to talk through the time logic, illness, and grief.
Synopsis
In Fujisawa, Sakuta Azusagawa is in his second year of high school. Blissful days with his girlfriend and upperclassman, Mai Sakurajima, are interrupted by the appearance of his first crush, Shoko Makinohara.
Difficult scenes
A major part of the story centers on a middle school girl with a severe heart condition who needs a transplant in order to live. The hospital setting, the discussion of possible death, and the idea that a donor must exist may weigh heavily on children who are sensitive to illness or medical themes. The plot repeatedly builds toward a potentially fatal car accident involving a teenager, creating strong emotional dread before the critical moment arrives. The presentation is not gory, but the ideas of impact, brain death, and self sacrifice can still be very upsetting for younger viewers. The film includes scenes of grief and intense emotional collapse when a character faces the possible or believed loss of someone they love. There is deep sadness, crying, and visible shock, which may be harder for some children to process than the limited physical violence. The narrative uses time paradoxes, different versions of the same character, and moral choices where saving one person may doom another. That complexity can unsettle children who need a very clear story structure, because the tension comes as much from emotion and consequences as from events themselves.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2019
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Countries
- Japan
- Original language
- JA
- Directed by
- Soichi Masui
- Main cast
- Kaito Ishikawa, Asami Seto, Inori Minase, Nao Toyama, Atsumi Tanezaki, Maaya Uchida, Yurika Kubo, Yuma Uchida, Satomi Sato, Natsuki Aikawa
- Studios
- CloverWorks, Aniplex, ABC Animation, KADOKAWA, Tokyo MX, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, BS11, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures
Content barometer
Violence
3/5
Notable
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
1/5
Allusions
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated romantic fantasy follows high school characters through a story involving time travel, serious illness, and emotionally weighty choices, with a tone that is mostly tender, sad, and dramatic. The sensitive material comes mainly from the idea of a heart transplant, the possibility that a teenager may die in a traffic accident, scenes of grief, and repeated discussion of sacrifice, loss, and separation. The film is not graphic in a visual sense, and physical violence is limited, but the threat of death is central to the plot and can feel intense for younger viewers because it carries real emotional consequences. There is also teen romance and affectionate dialogue, though nothing sexually explicit, and the language remains mild overall. I would suggest it mainly for preteens and up, or around age 11 for children who already handle sad, complex stories well, ideally with a parent ready to talk through the time logic, illness, and grief.
Synopsis
In Fujisawa, Sakuta Azusagawa is in his second year of high school. Blissful days with his girlfriend and upperclassman, Mai Sakurajima, are interrupted by the appearance of his first crush, Shoko Makinohara.
Difficult scenes
A major part of the story centers on a middle school girl with a severe heart condition who needs a transplant in order to live. The hospital setting, the discussion of possible death, and the idea that a donor must exist may weigh heavily on children who are sensitive to illness or medical themes. The plot repeatedly builds toward a potentially fatal car accident involving a teenager, creating strong emotional dread before the critical moment arrives. The presentation is not gory, but the ideas of impact, brain death, and self sacrifice can still be very upsetting for younger viewers. The film includes scenes of grief and intense emotional collapse when a character faces the possible or believed loss of someone they love. There is deep sadness, crying, and visible shock, which may be harder for some children to process than the limited physical violence. The narrative uses time paradoxes, different versions of the same character, and moral choices where saving one person may doom another. That complexity can unsettle children who need a very clear story structure, because the tension comes as much from emotion and consequences as from events themselves.