Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota [Season 1]

“Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota” Episode 1: A Wholesome Mess of Contrasts

Let’s cut to the chase—if you’ve seen Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, you’ll immediately get the vibe of Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota. The first episode of this Studio Polon adaptation (airing since October 4, 2025) throws us into the chaotic dynamic between two polar opposites: Kashiwada, a girl with a face as unreadable as a blank text, and Oota, a guy whose emotions are so loud they could wake the dead. And honestly? It’s equal parts cute, confusing, and so relatable for anyone who’s ever had a weird crush.

First off, the premise is simple: Oota can’t stand how Kashiwada never reacts to anything. So he decides to “break” her—by pranking her, teasing her, and basically being the human equivalent of a fire alarm. But here’s the twist: Kashiwada likes it. When Oota swaps her drink for vinegar (yeah, that’s a thing), she just blinks. When he challenges her to Old Maid, she crushes him without a flinch. And yet, there’s this tiny spark—like when she sits next to him at the pool or laughs (quietly) at his antics—that makes you go, “Oh, she’s totally into this chaos.”

Fans on MyAnimeList are split, and honestly? Same. Some say it’s a “Walmart Aharen-san” (ouch), but others love the gap between Kashiwada’s stone face and her obvious joy at Oota’s attention. One user put it perfectly: “The gap moe of the girl saved the day.” Because let’s be real—Kashiwada’s lack of expression isn’t cold; it’s just… her. And Oota’s over-the-top energy? It’s not annoying (okay, maybe a little) but endearing, like a puppy trying to get a cat to play.

But wait—let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Is Oota bullying her? Some fans think so. Swapping her drink for vinegar? Kinda mean. But here’s the thing—Kashiwada doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, when Oota’s friend points out she’s usually alone, you realize she’s probably starved for attention. As one commenter noted, “Kashiwada clearly likes the attention from Oota and they have a really fun dynamic so far.” It’s like those couples who bicker 24/7 but would die for each other—just with more pranks and fewer words.

The animation is simple but pretty, with soft pastels that fit the slice-of-life vibe. The opening song by Hashimero is catchy (even if it’s a bit generic), and the voice acting? Kyohei Natsume (Oota) nails the hyperactive teen, while Kashiwada’s VA (whoever she is—sorry, didn’t catch the name) makes “blank stare” sound cute.

Sure, it’s not groundbreaking. The jokes are hit-or-miss, and Oota’s “pranks” sometimes cross into “why are you like this?” territory. But here’s the thing—this show isn’t trying to be deep. It’s trying to make you smile. And for 23 minutes, it works. When Kashiwada finally cracks a tiny smile at the end? I’ll admit it—I grinned like an idiot.

So, is Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota worth watching? If you love wholesome rom-coms with zero drama, yes. If you’re tired of the same old tropes, maybe give it a skip. But for me? I’m sticking around. Because there’s something magical about watching two people who are so wrong for each other… but feel so right.

P.S. The Old Maid scene? Iconic. Kashiwada’s poker face should be in a museum.

P.P.S. If you’re team “Oota is a bully,” just wait—by episode 2, you’ll probably be shipping them. Trust me.

Final Verdict: 7/10. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

—A 19-year-old who’s definitely not projecting their own weird crush onto these two.