Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Oota-kun [Season 1 Episode 12]

“Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Oota-kun” Episode 12: The “Denial Date” That Broke the Internet

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re here for slow-burn romance that finally moves, Episode 12 of Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota is your moment. After 11 episodes of Oota’s chaotic attempts to crack Kashiwada’s unreadable facade—think failed scares, accidental hand-holds, and more awkward silences than a middle school dance—this finale (for now?) delivers the payoff fans have been meme-ing about since the first episode.

First, let’s get the basics straight: this anime, adapted from Fuyu Azuma’s web manga and brought to life by Studio Polon, is the definition of a “vibe watch.” It’s not about grand declarations or dramatic plot twists. It’s about Oota, the human equivalent of a golden retriever on a sugar high, trying to make Kashiwada—who could out-stare a stone statue—react to anything. And up until now, Kashiwada’s idea of “emotion” was a slight eyebrow twitch when Oota tripped over his own feet.

But Episode 12? Oh, it’s different. Let’s talk about the “date”—and yes, fans are already calling it the “Denial Date” for a reason. The setup is classic Kashiwada-Oota chaos: Oota invites her to a “study session” that’s obviously a date, Kashiwada agrees because she’s low-key curious (even if she’d never admit it), and then they end up at a cat café. Wait, a cat café? For two characters who communicate mostly through side-eye and sarcasm? Genius.

Here’s where the magic happens: Oota spends the entire time trying to act cool (spoiler: he fails miserably), and Kashiwada… well, she doesn’t smile. But she laughs. Not a big, loud guffaw—more like a tiny, snort-laugh when Oota accidentally knocks over a cat tower. And the internet lost its mind. Fans on MyAnimeList were spamming comments like, “THIS IS A MANGA ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS ANYTHING BEYOND THIS CHAPTER. ayy at least some progress is happening lol. What a nice date” and “it’s happening folks! denial date!” (Yes, “denial date” is now a thing. We don’t make the rules.)

But let’s be real: the best part of this episode isn’t the date itself. It’s the subtext. Kashiwada, who’s spent the whole series hiding her feelings behind a blank face, shows up with a small gift for Oota—a keychain of his favorite anime character. And Oota, who’s usually bouncing off the walls, actually calms down when he realizes she remembered. It’s the kind of quiet moment that makes you go, “Aww,” even if you’re pretending to be too cool for cute stuff.

Of course, no anime episode is perfect. Some fans on MyAnimeList complained that the pacing was still slow (“What is that date, lol,” one user wrote, probably half-joking). But let’s be honest—slow is the point here. This isn’t Your Lie in April or Toradora! with big, dramatic confessions. This is a show about two people who are terrible at feelings, slowly figuring out that maybe they like each other. And for anyone who’s ever had a crush and spent hours overthinking a single text, that’s relatable.

Another win for Episode 12? The animation. Studio Polon has always nailed the little details—like the way Kashiwada’s eyes soften when she’s not paying attention, or Oota’s over-the-top gestures when he’s excited. In the cat café scene, the cats are drawn with so much personality (one even steals Oota’s sandwich) that they almost steal the show. But let’s not forget the voice actors: Souhei Horikane (Oota) and Akane Fujita (Kashiwada) have this chemistry where even their pauses feel loaded. When Oota mumbles, “You’re not as boring as I thought,” and Kashiwada replies, “You’re not as annoying,” you can hear the smile in her voice—even if her face says otherwise.

Now, let’s talk about the ending. The episode wraps up with Oota walking Kashiwada home, and he almost confesses. Almost. Instead, he says, “Let’s do this again sometime,” and Kashiwada just nods. But then—wait for it—she turns around and waves. Waves. For Kashiwada, that’s like screaming, “I LOVE YOU!” from the rooftops. Fans were losing it: “I love how aware of his embarrassments she is. In the end, she scared him instead, lol. Hilarious cute ‘date.'” (Yes, she did scare him—by pretending to be a ghost in an alley. Classic Kashiwada.)

So, who is this episode for? If you’re into fast-paced action or plot-driven dramas, this isn’t your show. But if you love slice-of-life romance that feels like hanging out with your chaotic best friends, this is a must-watch. It’s the kind of anime that makes you smile when you’re having a bad day, and it’s proof that sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that take their time.

Final verdict? Episode 12 of Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Oota-kun is a win. It’s cute, it’s funny, and it gives fans exactly what they wanted: progress. And let’s be real—we’re all already counting down the days until Season 2. Because if the “Denial Date” is this good, imagine what happens when they actually admit they like each other.

As one fan put it: “List of romance anime with actual romance in them… add this one.”

Yeah, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

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Note: All references to fan comments are sourced from MyAnimeList discussions about Episode 12. The anime premiered in October 2025 and is available on Tokyo MX, Kansai TV, and other networks.