Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid

For me, this film was definitely more engaging than the previous one with the sister, though I still wouldn't give it a full 5 stars. The supernatural element (adolescent syndrome) plays a crucial role again, which keeps things interesting, but it feels like a variation of what we've already seen in the series and the first movie. The story could easily be summarized in one sentence: "Sakuta deals with mommy issues." That said, it's well-executed, and the ending managed to move me. What truly carries the entire Rascal Does Not Dream... franchise, is the relationship between Sakuta and Mai. There were several beautiful and entertaining moments and great dialogues between them. Their flirting and banter are still top-notch. Hajime Kamoshida knows how to write good dialogues, which made the film enjoyable for me. The pacing was slower, but that's something I'm accustomed to with this series. The animation was solid, typical of CloverWorks. Overall, I'm quite satisfied. It was a great film, a pleasantly spent hour and a bit, and thanks to the post-credits scene, I'm looking forward to the next installment. 8.4/10 (02/07/2024)