The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist


The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist is a Japanese light novel series written by Okemaru and illustrated by Saba Mizore. It was initially serialized as a web novel on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in December 2018. It was later acquired by Hobby Japan, who began publishing it as a light novel in June 2020 under their HJ Bunko light novel imprint. A manga adaptation illustrated by Popuri Yoshikita was serialized on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace Plus website from March 2021 to March 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ aired from July to September 2023.

Synopsis

Wataru Sajō has been continually rejected by Aika Natsukawa, a beautiful girl in his class. After getting hit by an errant soccer ball, he suddenly has a change in personality, coming to the conclusion that he is not worthy of her and beginning to distance himself from her. However, Aika mistakenly thinks he now dislikes her, and she starts to get involved with him. This is the start of a romantic comedy when two classmates struggle to convey their feelings, especially when other girls begin to take notice of Wataru.

Characters

Main characters

;Wataru Sajō
;Aika Natsukawa
;Kei Ashida
;Kaede Sajō
;Rin Shinomiya
;Mina Ichinose
;Fuka Sasaki

Supporting characters

;Rena Aizawa
;Yuyu Inatomi
;Takurō Yamazaki
;Kazuki Arimura
;Megumi Otsuki
;Hayato Yūki
;Renji Hanawa
;Takuto Kai
;Takaaki Sasaki
;Airi Natsukawa
;Nonoka Shirai
;Aoi Okamoto
;Seina Ihoshi
;Yuki Sasaki
;Arisa Koga
;Ayano Mita
;Marika Shinonome-Claudine
;Hiyori Sonoda
;Kaoruko Isogawa
;Store Manager
;Yū Ichinose
;Hiroto Tabata
;Yuri Hanaoka
;Store Manager's Wife

Media

Light novel

Written by Okemaru, the series began serialization as a web novel on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on December 7, 2018. As of August 2023, 210 chapters have been published. It was later acquired by Hobby Japan who began publishing it as a light novel with illustrations by Saba Mizore under their HJ Bunko imprint on June 1, 2020. As of April 2023, eight volumes have been released. The novels are licensed in English by Monogatari Novels.

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Popuri Yoshikita was serialized on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace Plus website from March 26, 2021, to March 18, 2024. It was collected in five volumes from September 25, 2021, to March 26, 2024.

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on November 18, 2022. It is produced by Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ, and directed by Kazuomi Koga, with scripts written by Michiko Yokote, character designs handled by Masaru Koseki and music composed by Ryōhei Sataka. The series aired from July 4 to September 19, 2023, on TV Tokyo and other networks, including ABEMA. The opening theme song is "Paraglider" by Kaori Ishihara, while the ending theme song is "Yume wa Mijikashi Koiseyo Otome" by Akiho Suzumoto. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series, and will be streaming it on Hidive. Medialink licensed the series in South, Southeast Asia and Oceania and will stream it on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.