"Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" by Kamoshida Hajime is a story about boys and girls who face a mysterious phenomenon called adolescent syndrome. Sakurajima Mai, who appears as the main heroine, is a famous celebrity, but she has been affected by adolescent syndrome, which causes her to disappear from existence. What kind of character is Sakurajima Mai? We will list 10 of her charms, so please read to the end.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 1: Active as a super famous celebrity

Sakurajima Mai smiling under the moonlight
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Sakurajima Mai, who plays the heroine in "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai", is active as a super famous celebrity in the work. He started out as a child actor at a young age, and was thrust into the limelight when he appeared in a historical drama. However, at the beginning of the story, he takes a break from showbiz due to a feud with his mother, and begins to experience adolescent syndrome, in which his existence gradually fades away.

She seems isolated in class

Sakurajima Mai waiting for a train
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

It is one of the reasons why Mai's adolescent syndrome appeared, but it has been revealed that she was somewhat isolated at school. Normally, the presence of a celebrity in class would cause a fuss, but her calm demeanor kept everyone away. As a result, he is treated as if he is not there even though he is there, and continues on through his third year of high school, juggling his studies with his entertainment career instead of spending time with real friends.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 2: She is confident in herself

Sakurajima Mai in a gravure shoot
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Perhaps because she has been active in the entertainment industry since she was young, Mai seems to have confidence in herself in her private life. Combined with the fact that she lives alone, she also appears to be very independent despite being a high school student, and she seems more mature than any of the other characters in the story. She also behaves like an older sister towards her boyfriend, Azusagawa Sakuta, and is portrayed as always treating him with a condescending attitude due to her experience in a tough environment.

Her bold self-introduction is impressive

Sakurajima Mai dressed as a bunny girl
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai's self-introduction shows that she is aware that she is a famous celebrity. The straightforward statement, "Sakurajima Mai's Sakurajima, Sakurajima Mai's Mai" is in no way a boast about her celebrity status, but rather a sign of her confidence in herself. If you heard it in the real world, you might be confused, but when she says it herself, it somehow makes sense. You can even feel her pride and confidence in herself, and it's a line that really shows the character of Sakurajima Mai.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 3: Sincerity towards her work

Sakurajima Mai appearing in a commercial
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

If she were a popular celebrity, you could imagine her being tyrannical or negligent, but Mai takes on all her work with sincerity. She took a break from show business to rediscover the fun and joy of acting, but she also revealed that she takes pride in her work as a professional. In fact, the staff around her seem to have a lot of trust in her, which really brings to mind the true essence of the famous entertainer that is Sakurajima Mai.

He works hard even after switching bodies

Toyohama Nodoka on the cover of the 4th volume of the Seishun Buta Yarou series
Source: Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

In "Seishun Buta Yarou wa Siscon Idol no Yume wo Minai", he suffers from adolescent syndrome in which his body is swapped with that of his step-sister, Toyohama Nodoka. Mai will be living as Toyohama Nodoka until she improves, but she never turns her back on reality and continues to take lessons as an underground idol. As a result, when she stands on stage, she gives an overwhelming performance, surprising not only the fans but also Sakuta and Nodoka.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 4: She also seems to manipulate her manager

Sakurajima Mai returning home with Sakuta
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai has been active for a long time in the entertainment industry, where survival is tough, but she also plays her role as a professional at work. However, she also seemed to be manipulating her manager, and on the phone she casually confessed to the existence of a boyfriend. Naturally, the manager was deeply shaken by this bombshell statement from a girl who had only just returned to the entertainment industry, and they decided to have a discussion. As a result, she was asked to refrain from meeting with her boyfriend for a while, and Mai began to act sulky.

She's acting selfishly for her age

Azusagawa Sakuta and Sakurajima Mai walking on the beach
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai was banned from dating by her agency, but instead of answering right away, she put it on hold and talked with Sakuta before giving her answer. She's not overjoyed to be her first boyfriend, but she doesn't want him to get involved in her private life. However, when Sakuta tells her that he's just returned and wants to act like a good student, she sulks again when he answers her with sound reasoning, and they decide to avoid seeing each other for a while.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 5: She acts with a firm attitude

Sakurajima Mai Shooting
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Maybe because of her experience interacting with many people in the entertainment industry, Mai's attitude and behavior change from scene to scene. In front of Sakuta, she shows a girlish side appropriate to her age, but in front of Nanjo Fumika, a media worker who is acquainted with him, she shows her true colors as celebrity Sakurajima Mai. She is shown to be thorough in her actions, such as preparing leaked information as a bargaining chip, and she is portrayed as acting with a firm attitude, never letting anyone find out her weaknesses.

Even at the press conference, she won the public over with her mature response

Sakurajima Mai adds a word
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

At Toyohama Nodoka's house for Puberty Syndrome, a photo of her and Sakuta is circulated, but she shows a resolute attitude at the press conference for the movie she is starring in. Although the occasion was to promote the movie, the conversation turned to the topic of their relationship, and she successfully won the public over by appealing to the public that she is also a girl her age. This created an atmosphere of "Let's support Sakurajima Mai's love life," and thanks to Mai's mature response, the two became an official couple.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 6: She cares for her step-sister

Toyohama Nodoka with a big smile
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

It was in "Rascal Does Not Dream of a Siscon Idol" that she first came into close contact with her step-sister Toyohama Nodoka, and up until then, she had only confirmed her existence. However, when their bodies are swapped, she hides him, and even after the situation is resolved, she makes arrangements for the two of them to live together. Even though they are half-sisters, they are seen to love each other like real sisters, and are portrayed as being wary of Sakuta, who is surrounded by women.

Keeping Toyohama Nodoka's letter

Sakurajima Mai about to burst into tears
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

After their bodies were swapped due to puberty syndrome, Mai decided to play Toyohama Nodoka as if nothing had happened. While she appears to be doing it perfectly, Toyohama Nodoka, who is tasked with playing the role of Mai, faces a series of hardships. However, what helps her overcome her adolescent syndrome are the fan letters that Toyohama Nodoka has been sending to Mai since she was a child. She confesses that she is happy to receive support from others and that these letters encourage her in her entertainment career, and she is shown to be keeping them very preciously.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 7: She tries to be a grown-up older sister

Sakurajima Mai showing her profile
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai has beautiful long black hair and looks like a cool older sister, but in reality she behaves like a grown-up older sister. Perhaps it's because he's a famous celebrity, but his cool outfits are so cool that many people are captivated by them. In the story, he is portrayed as acting cool and taking the lead, and it's hard not to feel envious of Sakuta.

Many scenes where she is attracted to Sakuta

Sakurajima Mai with a sulky expression
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai and Sakuta have become closer due to the Puberty Syndrome incident, but there are many scenes where she is attracted to Sakuta, who has a tendency to be lazy. Even though she helps him study, Sakuta complains that he can't study hard without a reward, but she scolds him for his selfishness and eventually promises to do something for him. She also lightly pokes Sakuta with her finger when he tells jokes or silly things to others, which makes her feel like she's a guardian.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 8: She's cute when she's shy

Sakurajima Mai blushing
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai always acts cool, but sometimes she digs her own grave because of Sakuta's quick thinking. Her embarrassment at that moment is so cute, it will remind you that even famous celebrities are young girls. Because she is always in the lead, when Sakuta points it out to her she says, "You're so cheeky for Sakuta," and gives up. There are plenty of other scenes where she blushes, so you're sure to find one you like.

She also blushes when Sakuta teases her

Sakurajima Mai after a bath
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Mai, before and after she started dating Sakuta, behaved in a very adult way. However, Sakuta's comments often dig her own grave, and she blushes every time. He also shows signs of becoming flustered when Mai says or does something that he never expected. In particular, the interactions before and after the two start going out are a must-see, as Mai tries to take the lead, but Sakuta always has the initiative, and there are many scenes where she blushes.

Sakurajima Mai's charm 9: She's surprisingly jealous

Sakurajima Mai acting like an adult
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

She acts cool and responds like an adult, and many people think that Sakurajima Mai is cool. However, while one would think she would act relaxed, she did not give her approval when Sakuta asked to let Futaba Rio, who was suffering from adolescent syndrome, stay over at her house. However, given the circumstances, Mai did not allow him to stay over and instead offered to stay with them. Despite knowing about Sakuta and Futaba Rio's relationship, she does not allow him to sleep over with other girls, showing a surprisingly strong sense of jealousy.

It seems that she has a good relationship with Rio Futaba

Mai Sakurajima notices Rio Futaba
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Hajime Kamoshida/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

After Rio Futaba's adolescent syndrome ends, it is depicted that they have built a good relationship with each other. Sakuta approaches Futaba Rio with various concerns, and while she is helpful when it comes to topics related to adolescent syndrome, she seems reluctant when it comes to the matter of Sakurajima Mai. As a result, Futaba Rio sends a message to Mai directly with Sakuta's concerns, urging the two of them to solve the problem together. Futaba Rio also says, "If you lay hands on her, I'll tell Sakurajima-senpai all sorts of things," suggesting that they were secretly in cahoots.

Sakurajima Mai's Charm 10: Crazy about Sakuta

Sakurajima Mai sleeping together
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Sakurajima Mai dresses like an adult, but even though she always looks relaxed, you can see everywhere that she is crazy about Sakuta. This is clear from the way Sakuta himself seems surprised and taken aback, and he is even more infatuated with him than he imagined. In fact, it turns out that he is excited about being his first boyfriend, but he covers it up with his actorly acting. That is why he acts so cute the moment his true colors are revealed, and the contrast really pierces your heart.

Mai Sakurajima, a young girl of marriageable age

Mai Sakurajima saying goodnight
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

The two didn't have many chances to go on dates, such as when their agency issued a dating ban or when they were to play a couple with Koga Tomoe. Sakuta seems to be sulking about it, but Mai is even more disappointed. She has friends who work in the same entertainment industry, but she still wants to live a youthful life appropriate to her age. She especially wants to cherish the days she spends with Sakuta, and is even prepared to sacrifice herself for him.

Summary

Sakurajima Mai looking back
Source: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai © Kamoshida Hajime/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/Aobuta Project

Throughout the series "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai," we introduced the charm of Sakurajima Mai, the main heroine. Although she has a cool and mature air about her, inside she is a typical high school girl, and even though she is a famous celebrity, she still has the heart of a young girl. This contrast is attractive, and her blushing and shy expressions that are revealed through her cool expressions just strike a chord with many people. I hope that you will be able to visually enjoy the charm of Sakurajima Mai by watching the anime and the original work.

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