Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid

This movie shouldn't exist. This is a testament that Seishun Buta Yarou fans will like anything the franchise produces, no matter how bad it is. We really can't go any lower than this. At this point, you may wonder if they are actively trying to make a bad anime to test if the fans will still enjoy it no matter what. Firstly, there's a serious problem with the plot: nothing happens. Whenever you watch a movie, you expect something to happen, otherwise why waste 1 hour on this. But no, bunny girl can go without it. For the first half, it's just the same characters sayingthe same things, interacting in the same way they have been in previous installments. There are no new characters, no development and not even a memorable scene to justify the movie. You could say it's just like a slice of life which the point is to see the characters interacting and living their lives, without a need for an overarching theme, but the problem is it doesn't work when the characters are insufferable and there's barely any variation in their interactions from previous installments. Firstly, the main couple is absolutely awful. Mai and Sakuta are already bad characters by themselves, but they are even worse as a couple. Every single interaction is embarrassing, the desperate attempt at deadpan humor always falls short, the contrived romance is pathetic. Sakuta proves over and over again that he is a pitiful, deplorable little man, and yet he is portrayed as mature and dependable. It brings back the point of the self inserter who wants to believe a high tier girl like Mai will fall for a ne'er-do-well. Futaba is just spitting flapdoodle about quantum mechanics, saying it may be the cause of the adolescent syndrome at hand (wasn't it always like that? What's new?). Koga's role is to say Sakuta has baito and to call him a baka (have we not seen it before?). Toyohama appears for literally no reason. The only character who barely has a development is Kaede who starts to progress after the prequel events. In the second half of the movie, we finally get to see what it is about. It's about Sakuta's mother. There's just a little issue: why would anyone care about this character that was never important, nor was her relationship with Sakuta and Kaede? It's just a side character without any depth. The result is melodramatic scenes which the viewer can't empathize with, producing a cringeworthy effect. It's just paroxysm without buildup. Finally, there's a major misfortune in the announcement of this feature, Sakurajima Mai is used as bait. The teasers portray Mai and her kid version like it's a crucial point in the story, but she is actually just a side character in this piece. Art and animation are the same as the prequels, which is subpar and uninspiring. For the sound, the most they could do was a new version of Fukashigi no Carte. Ketsuron, a film that tries to keep the same quality as other Bunny Girl Senpai titles, which is substandard, but fails at it. This film settles a new low bar, overcoming the second title, Seishun Buta Yarou wa Yumemiru Shoujo no Yume wo Minai, and becoming the ultimate mark of Seishun Buta Yarou fiasco as a franchise.

Sakuta: *cries his heart out* Mai san: "Listen, I know no one can see you and I might forget you again and your life is potentially in danger, but I really gotta get back to work." What actor works 24/7 and can't get a day off for health or family? Come on now. The way Mai san's career is used to make her not be present at crucial moments in the story is not good. I like Bunny Girl Senpai, I gave season 1 and the first movie a 10, but what the hell happened, these last two movies have been terrible. Abysmal in comparison.

I've been rewatching this anime quite a lot now, and all I can say is — it's a masterpiece. What makes it truly special is how it delivers important messages in every episode and movie. That’s what really made me fall in love with it. I know the story progression might feel slow or boring to some people, but not when you truly understand everything that’s happening beneath the surface. The emotional depth and symbolism make every moment meaningful. Some people have criticized Mai-san, saying she’s not a great girlfriend because she’s always busy with work or school. While it’s true that she sometimes prioritizes work over Sakuta, there’sa good reason for that. Japan’s entertainment industry is notoriously strict. Once you’re under contract, you can’t just take sudden time off — even for personal reasons — without causing major disruptions. Her schedules are tightly packed, involving entire crews, co-stars, production timelines, and financial stakes. Backing out unexpectedly could damage her reputation, affect others’ work, and hurt her future opportunities. So she’s not choosing work over Sakuta emotionally — she’s fulfilling responsibilities she already committed to. Just like how Sakuta stays strong and faces hardships, Mai is also being strong in her own way: by holding on to her responsibilities and trusting Sakuta to get through the tough times. "But this is just an anime, why can’t they make Mai-san spend more time with Sakuta?" That’s true — this is an anime, and the creators could write anything they want. But this is also their way of showing how real life works, especially in Japan. Instead of making up a fantasy relationship, they chose to reflect the reality of professional pressure, responsibility, and emotional growth. That realism gives the story more depth and makes the characters more relatable. This anime isn’t just entertainment — it’s a realistic portrayal of growing up, struggling, and finding emotional strength, especially through relationships. Whether it's the slow pacing, the emotional conflicts, or the character decisions — it all adds up to a beautiful story that stays with you. This anime deserves a rating of 10(Masterpiece)