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 began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace Plus website in March 2021. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ aired from July to September 2023. Synopsis
Wataru Sajō has been pestering and asking Aika Natsukawa, a beautiful girl in his class, to go out with him and get turned down. One day, a flying soccer ball swiftly changes his personality and comes to the conclusion he is not worthy of her and begins 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

The main protagonist who passionately approaches his classmate, Aika Natsukawa, but he suddenly came to his senses and tries to distance himself from her. During summer vacation he starts working part-time at a bookstore. The female lead, a beautiful girl in her class. She is bewildered by Wataru Sajō's sudden change of his attitude, which left her a feeling of confusion. Aika's best friend. She is a positive girl who joins the Volleyball Club. Wataru's older sister. She is the Vice President of the Student Council of Kōetsu High School. Kaede's best friend. She is level-headed and the Moral Public Committee President of Kōetsu High School. Wataru's classmate and junior at part-time job. She is a literature buff with a quiet personality. A mature junior high school girl who met Wataru after a certain incident. Supporting characters

A cute girl who approached Wataru for ulterior motives. A cute member of the Moral Public Committee of Kōetsu High School. A classmate of Wataru and Aika, and a Basketball Club member. The ex-boyfriend of Rena and a student of Class 2-B. The homeroom teacher of class 1-C, the class of Wataru and Aika. The nickname first and only revealed in the web novel version chapter 5. The Student Council President of Kōetsu High School, and a member of K4. The Student Council member, and a member of K4. The Student Council member, and a member of K4. Wataru's classmate and a member of Soccer Club of Kōetsu High School. He has a young sister named Yuki. Aika's beloved little sister. Aika and Mina's classmate and friend. She has crush on Takaaki. Aika and Mina's classmate and friend. She also has a crush on Takaaki. The class representative of 1-C, the class of Wataru, Aika, Kei and Mina. The younger sister of Takaaki and a middle schooler. Wataru and Aika's female classmate known for her bad mouth and attitude. Yuyu's childhood friend and a member of Moral Public Committee of Kōetsu High School. The half-Japanese half-French female student, and Hayato's fiancé. One of Marika's friends. The character's name first revealed in the anime adaptation. One of Marika's friends, she is dubbed "Mobile Student Handbook" by Wataru. The owner of the second-hand bookstore, where Wataru and Mina work part-time. Mina's big brother and a member of the Moral Public Committee. One of Wataru's classmates who's not part of any clubs or committees. Yū's girlfriend and fellow Moral Public Committee member. The store manager's wife. She is a woman who cares about others, especially her husband's employees and customers. 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. 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 began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace Plus website on March 26, 2021. As of June 2023, it has been collected in four volumes. 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  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 (except Australia and New Zealand) and will stream it on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel. See also
 I Kissed My Girlfriend's Little Sister? !, another light novel series illustrated by Saba Mizore
 Seiyū Radio no Ura Omote, another light novel series illustrated by Saba Mizore

Notes

References

External links
 
 
 
 

2020 Japanese novels
2021 manga
2023 anime television series debuts
Anime and manga based on light novels
AXsiZ
HJ Bunko
Japanese webcomics
Kadokawa Shoten manga
Light novels
Light novels first published online
Romantic comedy anime and manga
Sentai Filmworks
Shōnen manga
Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Studio Gokumi
TV Tokyo original programming
Webcomics in print