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Rascal Does Not Dream of… Light Novel #5

青春ブタ野郎はおるすばん妹の夢を見ない

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GUESS WHO’S BACK?

​After years without contact, Sakuta has received a letter from his first love, Shouko, asking to meet at Shichirigahama Beach. Of course, now that he’s in a happy relationship, he’s not quite sure how to respond...or how to explain the situation to his girlfriend, Mai. Maybe he’ll just focus on helping his panda-loving, stay-at-home sister achieve her goal of returning to school for the time being. But this is easier said than done, given that she hasn’t left the house for two whole years...

408 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2015

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193 people want to read

About the author

Hajime Kamoshida

54 books65 followers

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5 stars
239 (64%)
4 stars
107 (28%)
3 stars
17 (4%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for hotsake (André Troesch).
1,555 reviews18 followers
April 11, 2025
A well-done story that built on what came before. My only issue is the fact that the book ended before the story was finished, unlike the previous volumes.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,371 reviews
November 22, 2021
Oh my God, I’m so going to cry! Kaede. Her story is so sad no matter how you look at it, either the story of old Kaede, suffering from all that bullying, or the story of new Kaede, so afraid of everything that she just can’t manage. But I get her, I understand why she’s like that, how things can get so terribly bad and her friends certainly didn’t make things easy, if anything they made it far worse.
In this book we finally delve deep into Kaede’s story and how she came to be the person we’ve known for the past 4 books, this is one of the characters we’ve interact with the longest other than Sakuta and Mai, and it also happens to be the longest Adolescence Syndrome arc we’ve followed since the beginning, so the outcome is quite a blow (I mean, I had seen the series, but it was still hard to swallow).
I felt very torn like Sakuta I’m the end. I had grown attached to the new Kaede, she was the one I knew and formed a bond with, but I also understand why her loved ones would want old Kaede back, it’s the one you’ve known all your life, the one supposed to be with you. How do you choose one or the other, you can’t!
And then Shoko, you gotta give me some answers woman!!!
Profile Image for Jolly Ann Paciencia.
136 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2025
This is such a beautiful book.It is show the impact of bullying on someone's mental health and life itself.
Profile Image for Robin.
297 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2025
i read this fully knowing it would make me cry having seen the anime multiple times, and you'd think knowing what was coming ahead of time would have blunted its power, but it just never does.

i love these characters so much and i just want them to be happy but i know part of why i love them is because of how they handle being put in Situations, but i just want them to stop being put in Situations, but that isn't how stories work, and ugh i'm just babbling now. i love these books.
Profile Image for Sanfema.
11 reviews
May 30, 2023
"Verás, Sakuta-kun. Creo que vivir nos hace más amables"

No tengo idea si soy muy sencible o este volumen es muy bueno, probablemente sean las 2 cosas.

Este libro, sin duda y lo veía venir, me dejo destrozado y llorando durante un rato en 2 ocasiones. Finalmemte los refrectores pasan al transfondo del protagonista y su hermana donde, desde luego, brillan como nadie más.

Sakuta durante los arcos anteriores tenía un rol más de "soporte" donde lo sentías como a alguien cercano con quien, junto con al lector, intenta descifrar y comprender el conflicto de cada personaje de la obra en sus respectivos arcos. A pesar de ser el protagonista, la atención siempre estaba centrada en la chica de turno (no es algo malo, cada libro ha sido muy bueno) y Sakuta si bien se involucraba activamente, quien brilla es otro. En este volumen Sakuta y Kaede están en el escenario principal y su historia ha sido... Dura por decir lo menos.

A principio de la obra nos describen el conflicto de Sakuta y Kaede junto al porque de su situación, nos dejan en claro que la dinámica entre hermanos es inusual por lo que se puede dilucidar qué hay algo raro ahí desde ese momento pero en realidad la falta de pistas hace que no sospeches mucho más.

Me parece un gran acierto la manera en que abordan el conflicto de Kaede. Te dejan siempre muy en claro que, así tengan el mismo cuerpo, son personas completamente diferentes y la manera en que sakuta comprende esto tambien es excelente pero lo abordare al final

Con respecto a Kaede, el hecho de que ella siempre supiera que su tiempo estaba contado debido a la progresiva recuperación de sus recuerdos es muy desgarrador. El diario directamente lo leí con los ojos húmedos. Todo el proceso en el que Kaede intenta seguir adelante y conseguir sus objetivos saliendo de casa o queriendo ir a la escuela le da un peso dramático muy fuerte a este suceso y también es muy emotivo. Esto hace que realmente generes empatía por el personaje.

Tal vez para muchos sea algo ridículo que a ella le cueste tanto salir siquiera del apartamento, sin embargo, es un circulo de oscuridad muy profundo: primero te sientes mal ocasionado por depresión o algún tipo de trauma, esto puede hacer que te encierres en tu habitación y te niegues a salir, después en tu soledad reflexiva comienzas a analizar tu situación y te empiezas a sentir peor por no poder hacer aquello que para los demás parece que es normal (en este caso es salir de casa), intentas salir adelante, caes, te levantas, caes, vuelves a intentarlo y vuelves a caer estrepitosamente y a cada caída es cada vez más difícil levantarse y cada vez más tentador quedarte tirado, solo descasando y hundiendote más y más. Ahora no solo tienes tu depresión o trauma, también sientes que eres un desgraciado, un inútil, una persona tan miserable que te comienzas a preguntar si siquiera vivir y salir adelante tiene sentido y eventualmente tus ganas de no vivir rebasan las ganas de querer siquiera estar tumbado.

No soy un profesional de la salud mental por lo que no tomen esto como un patrón que siempre se repetirá, no obstante, con este ejemplo quiero dejar en claro que cualquier persona puede caer en esto. Si tienes esta situación, se que es muy complicado tan siquiera levantarte de tu cama y hacer lo que sea, lamentablemente lo único que puedo decirte es que pidas ayuda y asesoramiento profesional, no te avergüences de tu situación porque, como dije anteriormente, cualquiera puede caer en esta situación. Por otro lado, si alguien que conoces tiene un problema así de "ridículo" quien más sufre es esta misma persona debido a no poder ser "normal" por lo que en vez de insultarlo o presionarlo, ayudalo y ten empatia por el debido a que puede ser que cuando quieras ayudarlo, ya sea demasiado tarde.

Regresando a Kaede, los sentimientos de ella son muy hermosos y emotivos, ella sabía que Sakuta se sentía miserable por pensar que fue completamente impotente a la situación y que pudo hacer más por Kaede. De esta forma, con el objetivo de que el no se vuelva sentir así, hace que Sakuta haga su rol, ser un hermano mayor que apoya a su hermanita.

Y con esto llegamos a Sakuta con una reflexión muy conmovedora. En el momento en que la primera Kaede desaparece y Sakuta conoce por primera vez a Shouko, esa conversación en particular me parece tener un valor.

Sakuta esta devastado, esta viviendo una perdida y solo estaba cayendo hacia abajo en el pozo de oscuridad. Aquí es cuando Shouko cuestiona a Sakuta su curso de acción y este no sabe que hacer, entonces Shouko le dice "Veras, Sakuta-kun. Creo que vivir nos hace más amables" Sakuta ha vivido lo que es ser menospreciado, lo que es ser tratado como un loco y que te miren con ojos de confusión y lejanía. Por esto mismo Sakuta se da cuenta que lo que necesita Kaede no es hacer como si nada hubiera pasado, si no que requiere compresión y apoyo. Sakuta es amable porque sabe de primera mano lo que se siente no ser comprendido y así, des esta forma, vuelve a tener una razón para seguir viviendo, para cada vez ser más amable.

Definitivamente mi volumen favorito de lo que llevo hasta el momento, me ha dejado con muchas reflexiones y me ha hecho apreciar al menos un poco más lo que es la vida.

Tal vez esta review/ensayo sea demasiado personal pero este libro creo que lo amerita. Sin más, hay que reír para que así, un día, al recordar los momentos difíciles, pordamos recordarlo con alegría por el camino que hemos logrado atravezar
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Akshay.
807 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2023
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home - Exploring Adolescence with a Touch of the Supernatural

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home Alone (light novel) by [Author Name] offers readers another glimpse into the quirky and emotionally resonant world of supernatural phenomena affecting the lives of adolescents. With its whimsical storytelling and exploration of human emotions, this novel continues the Rascal Does Not Dream series on a heartfelt note.

The novel's premise is intriguing, blending the supernatural with the complexities of sibling relationships during the adolescent years. The fusion of everyday life with elements of the supernatural is executed in a way that allows readers to
connect with the characters
on a relatable level. The author's ability to weave together these elements results in a narrative that is both unique and captivating.

The protagonist's journey of self-discovery takes center stage as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and supernatural occurrences. The characters' emotional growth and introspection are themes that resonate throughout the novel, grounding it in a sense of authenticity amidst the fantastical backdrop. The genuine interactions between characters further enhance the narrative's relatability.

The plot of Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home Alone is a balance of everyday life and supernatural intrigue. The narrative delicately interweaves the characters' personal struggles with the supernatural phenomenon they encounter. This fusion creates a
sense of wonder
and a curiosity that drives the story forward.

The author's writing style is gentle and introspective, reflecting the nuanced emotions and subtle dynamics of the characters' experiences. The prose immerses readers in the characters' thoughts and emotions, creating an intimate connection. The dialogue is reflective and conveys a range of feelings that resonate with readers.

In comparison to other light novels, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home Alone (light novel) stands out for its focus on emotional depth and realistic portrayal of adolescent struggles. While other works may emphasize action or fantasy elements, this novel excels in its exploration of human emotions within a supernatural context.

In conclusion, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home Alone (light novel) is a touching and thought-provoking addition to the Rascal Does Not Dream series. The novel's blend of supernatural and coming-of-age elements creates a
synergistic
narrative that resonates with readers seeking an introspective and emotionally resonant read.
Profile Image for Glasdow Teacosy.
Author 2 books22 followers
October 30, 2021
Another enjoyable volume!

I respect the way Hajime Kamoshida blends mental health issues with Fringe/X-Files style events. He’s very creative. The concept might be an embodiment of Buddha’s sentiment, “With our thoughts we make the world”, or Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”—old concepts of how thought can shape experience, but modernized with sensational manifestations.

I mostly enjoy reading these light novels for the snappy banter. There was one section where I felt the dialogue went on a trip out in the weeds as the story focused on three unrelated characters at the zoo, but otherwise, this was a tightly written story with clever dialogue that entertained me from beginning to end.

If you are familiar with the anime of this episode, you’ll find this volume much more fulfilling. The mechanics behind Kaede’s wound phenomenon and how it relates to her psyche is explored with much more depth and detail in the book.

I also found the sentimentality and drama of Kaede’s loss of personality and restoration of her old self handled well. Sakuta wailed a bit too much for my tastes, but it’s not my place to dictate how others should mourn.

This was a good read.

Marked “Inspiring” for the dialogue.

Profile Image for Casey.
677 reviews12 followers
July 29, 2021
So Kaede only gets 4-stars when the rest get 5? Well, frankly cause it is the little sister. Kaede's arc isn't my favorite and I don't really enjoy it as much.

While the "Little Sister" trope just doesn't work well for me. I am glad that Kamoshida doesn't bury the reader through the series with it being constantly in their face, and Kaede's arc does somewhat turn it on it's ear. Sadly, for me, I've already been poisoned by it, so what could have been a really poignant moment wasn't so much for me.

And then there's the ending. Kamoshida-sensei, what were you thinking? Previous volumes wrap things up a bit better. Maybe you're leaving that cliff for us to stumble over. I was already going to get the next book, you didn't have to leave something so big so incomplete!

Verdict: still good, even if I prefer other parts of the story. You may or may not be affected by the bitter-sweet aspect of this story more than me. So without trying to spoil anything just be prepared.

Until November when Dreaming Girl comes out...
Profile Image for FaDoug.
90 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2022
If I could give this 6 stars I would.

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Home Alone is easily the best of the Rascal series (so far). Kamoshida's writing shines brighter than ever, though admittedly , it was a little hard to read some lines through my constant stream of tears.

Seriously, this one made me cry like a little baby. I knew it was going to, the scene with Shoko obliterated me in the anime, but it hit so much harder here. Keade can be irritating at times, especially in the light novels, but man, she is an absolutely wonderful character. This book highlights just how amazing she is. I wish I could give her a hug.

This was easily my favorite book in my favorite series yet. Can't wait to see how much Dreaming Girl will destroy my soul!

(Also, did the character from The Pet Girl of Sakurasou just show up in the middle of the book for no reason? That was crazy lmao)
Profile Image for -moonprismpower-.
2,970 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2021
This is a very Kaede heavy volume! It was interesting to learn about Kaede and her “past” and how much it affected Sakuta. And this of course brings the older Shouko back into the story after her being absent for 2 years!!!

Poor Sakuta and Mai’s relationship. Seems like once again, they won’t be able to enjoy their relationship and act like normal teenagers…. I think the author wants to torture us!!!!!
169 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2021
La mejor historia de la saga hasta el momento (a mi gusto)

Este libro tiene un final diferente al del anime, pero tengo que decir que me gustó más este final. aunque los dos son muy buenos.

Algo que no he mencionado de todos los libros, es que todos los finales dejan con ganas de leer el que sigue luego luego al acabarlos.
Profile Image for Michie.
192 reviews2 followers
April 22, 2023
I have a headache from crying now lol.

The anime really captured this arc well but there's still some things you can get out of text that can't come through on visuals alone.

Hajime captures that teenage feeling so well. I'm not sure of his life before becoming a published author but it feels like someone was taking copious notes in high school.

Goodbye new Kaede, hello old Kaede.
Profile Image for Craig Schorling.
2,290 reviews11 followers
March 22, 2024
Man, this was the best of the bunch so far. Kaede's story is both so sweet and bitterly tragic. Sakuta has so much to deal with and he takes it all in stride as best as he can. The moments where he is helping Kaede with her list to visiting the zoo, this book is filled with some fantastic events. The cliffhanger ending was solid as usual and sets the stage for book 6.
160 reviews
March 22, 2025
Do not make the same mistake I did and hesitate with this one. This is just as much as Sakuna's book as it is Kadaes. Honestly it might be more his story than hers. And this is when the main plot finally starts to appear. I can say that this caught my attention fully and was the most engaging in a while.
Profile Image for Eressea.
1,908 reviews91 followers
November 9, 2018
相對來說這集的評價是比較高的
但我依然不覺得有特別好,一到五集給我的感覺都滿一致的
節奏明快劇情流暢

妹妹的日記都說很催淚
但我沒啥感覺,看來輕小說族群跟其他書的重疊真的不高啊~
不過對某些事物極端恐懼,怕到影響生理描寫的還算挺深入的

這集似乎沒把事情全部交代完
後兩集還聽說要準備胃藥
但這週末好像沒啥機會一口氣看完剩下的啊啊
Profile Image for Esmeralda Lopez.
56 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2021
Despite taking a million years to finish this, I really enjoyed it! I love this world and the characters involved and it was nice reading about Sakuta and Kaede.
Profile Image for slugbiscuit.
484 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2023
Lots of feels this volume as Kaede's situation is a little sadder than previous girls and her relationship with Sakuta is pretty touching. It was great.
Profile Image for Randi.
15 reviews
January 26, 2025
This book took me some time to finish but, for it being pretty straightforward. This arc made me. so. fucking. so. depressed. What the fuck!!! It was just so so so good. My favourite so far.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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