LogFAQs > #969673642

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/3/1/AAcDcBAAD60D.png

CHARACTER: Azusagawa Kaede (Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny-Girl Senpai)
https://myanimelist.net/character/151021/Kaede_Azusagawa
Voiced by: Kubo Yurika
TOP 100 RANK: 54th

SPOILERS FOR RASCAL DOES NOT DREAM OF BUNNY-GIRL SENPAI

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYspHQaneLc

Early on in this anime, I noticed the similarities to Monogatari. I liked that other anime well enough, but it had a few significant problems. I was on guard while watching this because I wasnt sure how far those similarities would go. Kaede, being clingy with her brother to the point of sometimes crawling into his bed, set off alarm bells early on. Please dont be like Araragi was with his sisters, I thought. Thankfully, Rascal knew better than to go down that route. Kaede has a surprisingly compelling reason for acting how she does. Getting to know her better turned her into one of my favorite anime characters.

Throughout the anime, we learn Kaede's backstory. She was bullied so badly that adolescence syndrome kicked in. Her affliction took self-harm to a new level as cuts and bruises spontaneously appeared on her body. It even sliced Sakuta's torso with something that looked like claw marks. It got so bad that, finally, Kaede cut herself off from her body. It was essentially amnesia, and the new Kaede had none of the old ones memories. Everyone looked at her like she was broken, like they all wanted her to turn back into someone else. Sakuta was the first one to realize this new Kaede was her own person, and she latched onto him hard after that. She then spent all of her time cooped up in their apartment. Knowing all of that, it makes sense why Kaede acts how she does. Shes a whole new person who doesnt know much about the world. Sakuta is all she really has, so Kaede strives to be the best little sister she can be. It sometimes verges on clingy or inappropriate, but I liked how Sakuta understood why she was like this. He was endlessly protective and supportive.

Even though Mai is a better character, I think Kaede's arc might be my favorite in the show. Its all about her realizing that she cant hide away forever. Inspired by all the other girls shes seen Sakuta help, Kaede makes a list of goals and begins working through them. Its cute watching her accomplish things like going outside, going to the beach, and so on. The more that Kaede manages to do, however, the more it looks like her old personality is resurfacing. Sakuta is afraid to lose the new little sister hes gotten so close to, but he hides that sadness in order to make her last dsys as good as possible. They go see pandas at the zoo, and even visit her school at night. That was the last item on her list. The next morning, the new Kaede is gone and the old one returns with none of her memories. Almost everyone is happy shes back to normal, including Sakuta. He just also feels the pain of having lost her other self. The video I linked is him listening to Kaede's diary, which was a really emotional scene. It shows how much she loved him and appreciated everything he did for her. Sakuta is still sad, but he knows hell have to move on and begin getting to know his old little sister again. Kaede's arc had a lot of things I always enjoy, like amnesia which let me compare and contrast her two distinct personalities. The bittersweet conclusion also really got to me.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/3/2/AAcDcBAAD60E.png

CHARACTER: Sakurajima Mai (Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny-Girl Senpai)
https://myanimelist.net/character/118739/Mai_Sakurajima
Voiced by: Seto Asami
TOP 100 RANK: 14th

SPOILERS FOR RASCAL DOES NOT DREAM OF BUNNY-GIRL SENPAI

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXL7OS-eGgg

Unlike the long video for Kaede, the video I linked for Mai is short. Her arc had wonderful moments too, which Ill cover soon, but my favorite thing about Mai is all the little things. Her chemistry with Sakuta is amazing. Theyre both confident people, and they enjoy a certain style of banter and teasing. Then, every so often, one of them manages to make the other get flustered and blush. When it happens to Mai, its always super cute. During the time loop arc, the first time Sakuta asked Mai out was my favorite one. I liked the way she tried to hide behind her script so he wouldnt see her blush when she agreed to date him. The final ask-out was good too, though. The way Mai kissed his cheek was great. Those two are perfect together, and I like how supportive Sakuta is of her acting dreams.

Mai's adolescence syndrome arc is my second-favorite one after Kaede's. Seeing how she dealt with slowly disappearing from everyones perception hooked me right away. Mai tried to play it cool, but the ease with which she accepted Sakuta's help showed that she was worried about it. It clearly hurt when she couldnt even buy food for herself. There were also great moments like when they were in the hotel together and Mai suggested sharing a kiss so Sakuta wouldnt forget her. Once its clear that shell soon fade from his awareness as well, however, Mai accepts it rather than let him kill himself trying to stay awake. He thankfully manages to remember her, which is followed by the public confession scene that was simultaneously embarrassing and awesome. After something like that, no one is able to forget Mai!

After her one big arc, I loved how naturally Mai transitioned into a great support character. She was always quick to believe whatever weirdness Sakuta was dealing with, and she trusted him without being stupid about it. When Futaba needed to stay over, even though she knew nothing would happen, Mai stayed over as well just to guarantee there wouldnt be any dumb drama. When the older Shoko, Sakuta's first crush, left a letter asking to meet him, Mai admitted she was curious about the mysterious girl as well and let him go. I also liked how Mai reacted at the end of Kaede's arc when she realized it had been Shoko, rather than her, who helped him get through the pain. Logically, Mai knows its wrong to be upset, but emotionally I get why it would hurt that another girl was the one to be there for him. Most importantly, they quickly talk it through and make up. Sakuta and Mai are both just such mature people. I enjoyed their relationship a lot, especially the cute little moments like when she admitted that she loved him more than he realizes. I remember her having some epic moments in the movie too, but I couldnt rewatch it and I dont remember it well enough to really talk about it.