Student Sakuta Azusagawa is shocked to find one of his upper classmates, teen celebrity Mai Sakurajima, appear in front of him at a store dressed in a provocative bunny outfit. More surprising and to equal shock, is that Mai thought she was completely invisible to those around her. Off of this odd encounter, the two become entwined in a mystery that has roots in Sakuta's troubled past.
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Having been previously released in light novel format (also by Yen Press) and adapted into an anime series, the work of Hajime Kamoshida has certainly been explored in full. With that said, the manga, which floats between the world of anime and literature, acts well to connect the different interpretations together. For the most part, this comes with the art of Tsugumi Nanamiya, besides the lush aesthetic that is geared towards fan service, in beautifully capturing a wide range of emotive responses from its subjects. Additionally, the defining visual approach is well served in the slightly larger omnibus edition from Yen Press.
The narrative presents a lot of familiar elements in the romantic comedy genre, coming from moments of fan service and a typical awkward courtship between main characters. However, there is some additional depth in approach that allows the title to stand out, which comes through interjecting sci-fi like elements that approach social issues.
In short and to avoid spoilers, the disappearance of Mai is attached to the concept of the damaging aspects of social media affecting the collective conscience. This process, which is fictionally categorized as ‘Adolescence Syndrome', adds a depth to the romance/comedy aspects of the release in relating some of the downfalls of a culture dependent on tech. While the syndrome manifests in both characters to different degrees, the disappearance of the young starlet, birthed from a mix of fear and the desire to disappear, acts as the focal point of exploring the phenomena.
As a result, the constant fear that Mai will completely disappear heightens the romantic angle, as Sakuta becomes desperate to figure out and avoid what is making Mai invisible to everyone. This endearing desire leads to a really strong climax and confession, one which is bound to leave a strong and heartwarming final impression. Overall, the series introduces certain concepts that heighten the otherwise generic, romance and comedic elements.
“Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” is a memorable entry in the comedy/romance genre thanks to an intriguing plot device. Additionally, the art leaves a strong impact in the lushly detailed style of Tsugumi Nanamiya, which is served well in large format from Yen Press. Ultimately, the series still falls into a lot of the tropes of romantic comedy and may struggle to appeal to fans outside of the format, but for existing fans this release is a treat perfectly wrapped up in a single omnibus.
