Get ready for a heartwarming and hilarious school-life comedy! The TV anime adaptation of Fuyu Azuma’s popular web manga series, Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota (顔に出ない柏田さんと顔に出る太田君, Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Ōta-kun), is officially set to premiere in October 2025. This charming series, serialized on Niconico Seiga’s Dra Dra Sharp# website, is making the leap to the small screen, promising a delightful viewing experience for fans old and new.
What’s Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota About?
Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota is a delightful romantic comedy that revolves around two junior high school classmates who are complete opposites.
- Kashiwada-san is a girl who rarely shows any emotion on her face, making her an enigma to those around her.
- Oota-kun, on the other hand, is incredibly expressive, with his emotions always on full display. He’s known for his constant attempts to surprise Kashiwada, which invariably end in failure.
Despite their contrasting personalities, Kashiwada finds herself drawn to Oota’s open displays of emotion, and a unique relationship begins to blossom between them. Their classmates, always eager to witness the duo’s interactions, often remark, “Look, Oota is up to something…”
Book Walker Global describes the premise as:
Kashiwada is a girl who never shows emotions on her face. Oota always tries to surprise her…but never succeeds. Kashiwada and Oota are classmates at a junior high school. Oota is always thinking of pranks to surprise Kashiwada, but he always fails. Kashiwada likes to look at Oota, for he shows his emotions on his face too much. They look like opposite type of people, but they both care about each other. “Look, Oota is up to something…” Other classmates love to see the unique relationship between them. A heart-warming love comedy which takes place in an ordinary junior high school in Japan.
This heartwarming tale explores the budding romance between two seemingly incompatible individuals in an ordinary Japanese junior high school setting.
Production Team
The anime adaptation boasts a talented team of creators:
- Director: Tomohiro Kamitani (Mix: Meisei Story Season 2, Katana Maidens – Tomoshibi)
- Series Composer: Michiko Yokote (Call of the Night, Cowboy Bebop, Shirobako, Prison School)
- Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Naoto Nakamura (Date A Live IV and V, A Certain Magical Index II)
- Music: Yukari Hashimoto (Mr. Osomatsu) and Tetsuya Shitara (Matsuinu)
- Animation Production: STUDIO POLON
Additional Staff Includes:
- Background Art: Maho Takahashi
- Art Director: Scott MacDonald (Studio Tulip)
- Color Design: Haremi Miyagawa
- Director of Photography: Yomogiko Murano (Rare Trick)
- CG Director: Daisuke Shima (Tengu Kobo)
- Editing: Akane Shiraishi (Seyama Editing Room)
- Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki
Meet the Characters & Voice Cast
The anime features a stellar cast of voice actors bringing the characters to life:
- Akane Fujita as Kashiwada-san
- Kyohei Natsume as Oota-kun
- Yuya Hirose as Tadokoro-kun
- Sohei Horikane as Sata-kun
- Yumiri Hanamori as Tabuchi-san
- Mayu Mineda as Odajima-san
Manga Origins
The Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota manga, written and illustrated by Fuyu Azuma, was serialized on Niconico Seiga’s Dra Dra Sharp# website from June 2018 to June 2023. The manga’s 10th and final tankobon volume was released in July 2023.
A spin-off manga series, also illustrated by Azuma, titled Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota+ (顔に出ない柏田さんと顔に出る太田君+, Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Ōta-kun+), began serialization on the same website on October 13, 2023.
Kadokawa publishes the original Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota manga in Japan under their Dragon Age Comics imprint and also serializes an English language version of the series. Kadokawa also releases the manga digitally in English. In North America, the manga is licensed for digital English release by Kadokawa.
Where Can You Read It?
For English-speaking fans eager to dive into the world of Kashiwada and Oota, the manga is available digitally through:
- BookWalker Global
- MangaPlaza
- INKR Comics
Anime Expo 2025 World Premiere
Exciting news for early birds! The first episode of Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota will have its world premiere at Anime Expo 2025, held in Los Angeles from July 3rd. Select scenes from the first episode have already been released, building anticipation for the anime’s debut.
What to Expect in October 2025
With its engaging premise, talented production team, and charming characters, Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota is poised to be a highlight of the Fall 2025 anime season. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and experience the heartwarming journey of Kashiwada and Oota as they navigate the ups and downs of junior high and budding romance.
Fall 2025 Anime Season: What Else to Watch
Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota will be joining a packed lineup of new and returning anime series in Fall 2025. Here are a few other anticipated titles to keep an eye on:
- One-Punch Man Season 3
- SPY x FAMILY Season 3
- My Hero Academia: Final Season
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise [Movie]
- Disney Twisted-Wonderland
Whether you’re a fan of action, comedy, slice-of-life, or romance, Fall 2025 promises to deliver a diverse range of anime to suit every taste. Mark your calendars and get ready for another exciting season of anime!
