Introduction: A Relatable Rom-Com in the Sea of High School Heartaches
In the bustling high school romance genre, where tropes like the "unattainable popular girl" and the "awkward everyman" collide like mismatched puzzle pieces, Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me (original title: Keikenzumi na Kimi to, Keiken Zero na Ore ga, Otsukiai suru Hanashi) carves out a niche with its refreshingly grounded take on mismatched experiences. Adapted from Makiko Nagaoka's light novel series—serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Narō since 2019 and published by J-Novel Club in English as You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story—the 12-episode anime aired from October to December 2023, produced by Studio Deen under director Sayama Takayuki. Streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll with English subs and dubs, it features Natsuki Hanae as the flustered Ryūto Kashima and Saori Ōnishi as the confident Runa Shirakawa, backed by a cozy OST from Moe Hyūga that underscores the series' intimate vibes.
At its heart, this rom-com flips the script on the gyaru archetype: Runa, the school's golden girl with a trail of exes, pairs up with introverted Ryūto, a guy who's never even held hands. What follows is a sweet, sometimes awkward exploration of what happens when "experience" meets innocence—not in explosive drama, but in quiet dates, misunderstandings, and genuine growth. With a MyAnimeList score of 6.98 and an IMDb rating of 6.7, it's no Kaguya-sama masterpiece, but its relatable charm has garnered a dedicated fanbase, especially among viewers craving low-stakes romance. In an era where Crunchyroll's $7.99/month Premium plan unlocks thousands of titles, is this one worth the sub? This full review breaks down the plot, characters, production, and more to help you decide if it's a binge-worthy gem or a skip.
Plot Summary: From Forced Confession to Fumbled Firsts
Spoiler Warning: Major plot points from all 12 episodes ahead.
The story kicks off with a classic setup laced with fresh tension. Ryūto Kashima, a gloomy high schooler nursing a quiet crush on his classmate Maria Kurose (Runa's reserved little sister), loses a punishment game among friends and is dared to confess to Runa Shirakawa—the school's untouchable gyaru queen. Runa, with her bleached hair, bold makeup, and reputation for cycling through boyfriends like seasonal trends, accepts on a whim: "Err, I'm free now, so..." What starts as a joke spirals into real dates when Ryūto, paralyzed by inexperience, stumbles into Runa's world of casual intimacy. Episode 1's inciting scene—Ryūto eavesdropping on another guy confessing to Runa, only to be whisked to her room—sets the tone: hilarious awkwardness meets unexpected vulnerability.
As the series unfolds, the narrative settles into a rhythm of episodic dates punctuated by relational milestones. Early arcs focus on Ryūto's internal freak-outs: a hand-holding attempt in Episode 2 turns into a comedy of errors, while a school festival in Episode 4 forces him to confront jealousy when Runa's exes resurface. Runa, far from the "experienced" seductress, reveals her side—she's dated plenty but never connected deeply, treating relationships like fleeting highs until Ryūto's genuine kindness cracks her facade. Mid-season dives deeper: Episode 6's beach trip exposes Runa's insecurities about her "gyaru" image, leading to a heartfelt talk where she admits, "I've never had someone see me, not the label." Ryūto's growth shines too; from passive observer to active partner, he plans a surprise aquarium date in Episode 8, fumbling through but earning Runa's first real blush.
The back half builds emotional stakes without melodrama. Maria's subtle crush on Ryūto creates a love triangle lite—her traditional innocence contrasts Runa's boldness, forcing Ryūto to affirm his choice. Twists like Runa's family dynamics (a supportive but quirky mom) and Ryūto's friend circle (including the meddlesome punishment-game instigator) add levity, but the core remains the couple's push-pull: Ryūto's overthinking vs. Runa's impulsivity. The finale, Episode 12, ties it sweetly—a winter date culminates in their first kiss, not under fireworks, but in a quiet café, symbolizing earned progress. Clocking in at 24 minutes per episode, the pacing zips through rom-com beats without filler, though some subplots (like Maria's arc) feel rushed, leaving room for a potential Season 2 hinted at in the light novels' ongoing volumes.
Overall, the plot earns its "dating story" title: it's less about grand gestures and more about the mundane magic of compatibility, making it a cozy watch for anyone who's ever second-guessed a crush.
Character Development: Flawed Hearts Finding Rhythm
Ryūto and Runa are the beating pulse, their contrasts fueling organic growth. Ryūto (voiced by Hanae's pitch-perfect mix of deadpan and panic) embodies the relatable everyman—his inexperience isn't played for endless gags but as a catalyst for self-doubt and triumph. Watching him evolve from "What if she realizes I'm boring?" to confidently voicing needs feels authentic, avoiding the harem bait of lesser rom-coms. Runa (Ōnishi's sultry-yet-soft delivery) subverts expectations masterfully: her "experience" is superficial hookups masking loneliness, and her arc—learning vulnerability without losing edge—is the series' quiet triumph. Their chemistry simmers; banter like Runa teasing Ryūto's "pure" reactions sparks without overkill.
Supporting cast adds flavor without stealing focus. Maria (Aoi Koga) provides poignant foil—her shyness highlights Runa's extroversion, and her unrequited feelings add bittersweet depth without toxicity. Ryūto's otaku friend Ren (Ayaka Fukuhara) dishes comic relief and sage advice, while Runa's gal pals offer girl-talk levity. No one's a caricature; even exes get redemption glimpses, emphasizing the theme that "experience" doesn't equate to wisdom. By series end, the ensemble feels like a lived-in friend group, earning emotional investment that lingers.
Production Values: Solid Studio Deen Fare with Heart
Studio Deen's adaptation is competent mid-tier: fluid animation in date montages (think cherry-blossom walks with petal drifts) contrasts stiffer crowd scenes, but it suits the intimate scale. Art style pops with vibrant school palettes—Runa's golden highlights glow against muted classrooms—while episode-specific visuals, like the neon-lit arcade in Episode 5, evoke youthful nostalgia. Direction by Takayuki keeps things breezy, with subtle cuts during tense talks amplifying awkwardness.
Voice acting elevates: Hanae's stammers sell Ryūto's nerves, while Ōnishi layers Runa's bravado with fragility. The OST's acoustic pop tracks swell during swells of affection, though OP "Sunshine & Rain" by Aguri Onishi-Onitsuka and ED "Koi no Kiseki" by Runa's seiyuu feel interchangeable. At 6 episodes per cour half, production feels efficient, not rushed—perfect for a one-cour rom-com. Drawbacks? Occasional static expressions in emotional peaks, but nothing derailing the charm.
Strengths: Wholesome Vibes and Real Talk
This series shines in its honesty. It tackles romance's messiness—jealousy, mismatched libidos, societal labels—without preachiness, making it a breath of fresh air amid trope-heavy peers like My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. Fans on Reddit praise the subversion of gyaru stereotypes: "Glad to see it flipped—no fake innocence here." The humor lands in relatable cringe (Ryūto's failed compliments), while heartfelt moments, like Runa's confession in Episode 10, hit home. At 4.5 hours total, it's low-commitment bliss, ideal for date-night viewing. X users echo this, with one recent post calling Volume 2's manga adaptation "grounded and fun," mirroring the anime's appeal.
Weaknesses: Predictable Beats and Rushed Edges
Not all plates are full. The plot treads familiar ground—punishment confession? Check; love triangle? Check—leading to ANN's verdict: "Fine, but could be great with more nuance." Some arcs, like Maria's, resolve too neatly, and the finale's kiss feels abrupt after 11 episodes of buildup. Critics on MAL lament the "lazy route" of Runa's "no one's been this nice" reveal, missing deeper dives into her "experience." Fanservice is minimal but awkward (lingerie teases feel tacked-on), and at 6.98 on MAL, it polarizes: wholesome for some, "trainwreck" for others.
Is It Worth a Crunchyroll Subscription?
Crunchyroll's Premium tier ($7.99/month) grants ad-free access to this and 1,000+ titles, including dubs and offline downloads—value skyrockets if you're sampling fall 2025 slates like Dandadan or Blue Box. For Our Dating Story alone? If you're a rom-com diehard seeking feel-good fluff with emotional nuggets, absolutely—it's a solid 7.5/10 gateway binge, better than scrolling Netflix voids. But if you crave innovation or high production (think Horimiya's polish), it might not justify solo; pair it with free trials or the manga's quick reads (Panini UK's Vol. 2 just dropped, earning "enjoyable" nods). In a sub-saturated market, it's not essential like Spy x Family, but for cozy couple vibes, it's a sweet side dish.
Final Verdict: A Charming, If Conventional, Date Night Pick
Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me is a delightful detour in rom-com territory—relatable, warm, and unpretentious, with leads whose chemistry carries the show. It stumbles on originality and depth, but excels at capturing love's fumbling joy, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone tired of edgelord rivals or endless tsundere antics. Score: 7.5/10. Sub to Crunchyroll if romance is your jam; otherwise, trial it and see if Ryūto's blushes hook you. Stream now—your next date idea awaits.
Play
Season 1