Rascal Does Not Dream of a Lost Singer

Rascal Does Not Dream of… Light Novel #10

by Hajime Kamoshida, Andrew Cunningham (Translator)

Sakuta has now graduated from high school and is enjoying his new and peaceful life as a college student. One day, he bumps into the leader of the idol group Sweet Bullet, Uzuki Hirokawa. But somehow, she feels different from usual. Is the airhead able to read the room now?! However, no one notices this change besides Sakuta. Has Adolescence Syndrome affected Uzuki as well, or is it something else…?

Genres: Light Novel, Manga, Romance, Fiction, Supernatural, Slice Of Life, Contemporary

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2020

Reviews

[FaDoug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Rascal series, I've given every book up to this point a 10/10 so far. Which is why it pains me to give Rascal Does Not Dream of a Lost Singer a lower score than that, making it the only novel in the series to likely have a lower rating for me. It's still overall a great read of course; it's still strongly emotional and well written, but it just doesn't stand as strongly when compared to the other entries in the series.

The first issue I had with it was the surprisingly large amount of new characters that I just couldn't keep track of. This does end up evening out around chapter two when the novel starts really delving into its narrative, but man, chapter one was hard to really get a grasp on. There were several scenes where I was genuinely confused who Sakuta was talking to just because I couldn't keep track of everyone.

The second, and frankly, more important issue I had is how just...unimportant this novel felt in the grand scheme of things. This novel doesn't really pick up where the last one left off, which took me by surprise. Instead, it felt like everything established in the past two novels was just put on hold to develop Uzuki more. Granted, I still enjoyed Uzuki's arc in a vacuum, but when I look at the overall arc of the main characters and the series at large, I just don't see how this really fits into anything. Maybe that was the intention of this novel, to create a sense of unease, kind of like how life just throws you curveballs all the time. Though if that was the idea, I can't say it worked out too well for me personally. I was way more drawn in by the set up to the next book at the end of this story than I was by anything else in it, which is a shame. Add on the fact that I wasn't even teary eyed once during my entire read, while every other novel had me bawling at some point, and you can see why I was just left feeling somewhat disappointed by this one.

However, with all that said, it's still a great read. Kamoshida's writing is still strong, and I loved Sakuta's sarcastic banter as much as ever. Seeing him talk with Uzuki at her lowest moments was genuinely great, and I can see why other people would fall in love with her. It still does a lot right, and I was captivated plenty of times, just not as much as I usually expect to be when reading a "Rascal" book.

Overall, while it's definitely my least favorite in the series so far, "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Lost Singer" is still a great read that deserves its place in the series. I know my review has been mostly negative, but there's still so much great here. It's just that all of that greatness can be found in any other novel in the series as well. Hopefully if this gets adapted into an anime after the next two films, I'll like it more.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely readable and filled with likeable characters, but the plot of this one was a bit flat. This is the lowest-ranked of the series so far, but still enjoyable.

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 3 out of 5]

“These days, other people’s feelings and moods rush indiscriminately through phone screens. Even if you aren’t looking for it, information overload is everywhere, and there are endless sources of things influencing people. You might not wanna know. You might not wanna see. But once you knew, once you saw- it was too late. You can’t go back to not knowing. That knowledge makes a new you. And you have to live with yourself.”
This part of the story really resonated with me. It’s crazy that once it “clicks” (like it did for Uzuki), it’s so hard to “pretend” like it doesn’t bother you. It’s hard not to “hide yourself” because now you know that they were laughing at you..not with you.

This volume was… ehhhh… not my favorite. Maybe even my least favorite of the series. First of all, the time jump was so sudden! The entire series before that point was slowly going through the same year… Then we jump a year and a half after 9 books???

Also, Most of this volume was about Uzuki and Sweet Bullet. And I’m not going to lie, I am not into idol storylines!!! I just don’t have any interest in show biz. So sadly, this volume did bore me. But-! The ending has me excited!!!! Love those little cliffhangers!!!!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

College did not make Adolescence Syndrome go away for Sakuta, as expected, but for what we got at the end, these syndromes aren’t exactly happening on their own, not do they need to be cured at all of the person doesn’t want to, and where will that take us? This is so suspicious.
As far as the story went, it was good as always, another Sweet Bullet member was affected this time but not in a catastrophical way as Nodoka was at some point, it even seemed to be quite helpful this time around, it’s different and I’m excited for this arc.
However… my only complaint now that we have 10 books in. Does this only happen to women?! Can’t it happen to men too, other than Sakuta? Does this guy has any male friends, other than Kunimi? (I will not count Takumi just yet, their relationship seems to limit to random talks). I love Sakuta, don’t get me wrong, but he really does seem to only know girls, like he is constantly reminded and girls are the only ones apparently getting this syndrome. I’d appreciate more variety… but as long as the stories are still good and always a surprise, I’ll stay for the ride.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought so much more of this one than the last. Especially considering where Knapsack Kid seemed to be going and just not really getting there for me. But it still didn't quite make it up to the previous books.

It was short, fast and mostly enjoyable. There are times when I want to smack Sakuta upside the head, but for the most part it was good. Having Uzuki be the subject was a reasonably good choice too since readers already know a bit about her so didn't have to start from scratch. That being said Miori Mitou -- wasn't a fan. She bugs me.

Anyhow, as always I want to know what happens next.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hajime Kamoshida takes a bit of an off-turn with this volume. I was curious where he was going with this story since it does not feature The Adolescence Syndrome featured in the earlier books as much.

I was upset when he skipped the main character straight into college. I secretly hoped that was part of the "Twilight Zone" theme he would add to this one.

Still, I devoured this light novel. It was a joy to read. I am jealous of how clean Kamoshida's stories are in the scope of storytelling. And, like the other books, I laughed at some of the funnier lines of dialogue.

I'm looking forward to the next volume in June. I've already pre-ordered it.

[Sebastián · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaya volumen, si bien viniendo del anterior se nota un pequeño bajón en la historia ya que también es el inicio de esta saga universitaria el volumen es muy bueno de hecho, todo el tema de uzuki engancha y el misterio de si es o no es un síndrome de la pubertad está en todo el volumen causando intriga, la interacciónes entre uzuki y Sakuta fuer de lo más entretenidas y la parte final realmente me deja con hype del siguiente volumen.
Me gusta que la conclusión de Uzuki sea una parecida a como es Sakuta ahora mismo, poder leer la atmósfera pero decidir ignorarla.

[Nick Pell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slower start to the story following the time jump than I expected which serves more as a reintroduction to the main cast and adding some new ones than dealing with a strictly paranormal phenomenon. Still, it's more from this world and characters which is always a win so I'm excited to see what new adventures Sakuta and crew get to deal with going forward in college.

[slugbiscuit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I welcome the timeskip to college as the change in setting breathes some life into this series. Side characters are now taking center stage as the main characters are pretty stable at this point. This volume focuses on Uzuki and her career momentum. It’s was pretty good, but Mai and Sakuta’s relationship remains disturbingly chaste.

[Barry Gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uzuki is now my favourite character from this series.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly the strongest entry in the series. It's kind of a weak start to what the author is calling the college arc in the afterward.

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous, as usual

[Miroslav Jánošík · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting start to a new arc and much needed refresh

[F · Rating 2 out of 5]

time jump was unexpected. feels like author ran out of ideas. new college setting is appreciated though.
biggest issue: this whole „reading the room“ was way too prominent, and felt stupid, given their age.
Also, can't say I care about idols...