Don't let the title fool you. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (Seishun Buta Yarou, or "AoButa" for short) is a surprisingly thoughtful supernatural drama set along the Shonan coastline. The series uses the Fujisawa-Enoshima area as more than a backdrop — the sea, the trains, and the quiet residential streets are woven into the emotional texture of every arc.
The Story
Sakuta Azusagawa, a disaffected high school student in Fujisawa, encounters Mai Sakurajima — a famous actress turned high schooler who has become invisible to everyone around her. This phenomenon, called "Adolescence Syndrome," manifests differently in each character: one relives the same day, another splits into two people, another is trapped in a body that won't age.
Each arc explores a different character's syndrome, and Sakuta talks them through it with a mix of blunt honesty and unexpected kindness. The Enoshima coastline — with its open skies and long stretches of beach — provides the emotional breathing room these conversations need.
The Shonan Connection
AoButa's locations overlap significantly with Slam Dunk's territory. Both series use the Enoden railway line, the coastline between Kamakura and Fujisawa, and the views of Enoshima island from the shore. But where Slam Dunk is energetic and sun-drenched, AoButa's version of Shonan feels quieter and more melancholic.
Fujisawa Station, where Sakuta catches the train to school, is the main hub. The walk along the coast from Shichirigahama to Enoshima appears repeatedly as characters have pivotal conversations against the backdrop of the Pacific.
Pilgrimage Tips
If you're already visiting Kamakura for Slam Dunk's railroad crossing, you're five minutes by Enoden from AoButa territory. The two pilgrimages combine naturally into a single day trip.
Take the Enoden from Kamakura to Fujisawa (about 35 minutes end to end) and stop at key stations along the way. The line runs right along the coast for several stretches, and the train itself — small, old, rattling through residential neighborhoods — feels like it belongs in the anime.
Visit on a weekday if possible. The Kamakura High School crossing is chaotic on weekends, but the AoButa spots (Fujisawa Station, Shichirigahama beach) are rarely crowded.