Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

Overall: This anime is the reason your parents never approved of your hobby, but as far as hobby goes if you like to see pretty things you're going to see pretty things Story: The story is... all over the place. It ramps up okay at first and I thought this is 1:1 story, but halfway through they put in a harem. I mean, what? It also relies too much on the protagonist being a virgin that gets aroused every time the girl shows skin, it got to the point of it being pretty much the only source of comedy Art: The character drawings are great and I enjoy seeing them, I can't say too much more about it because honestly as great as they are in the moment they're actually not too memorable. They also put way too much budget on the ecchi shots, there's plenty of those Sound: Well the ED is great but that's kind of it. Character: The characters are.... well they're all over the place. For the first half they're well established enough but suddenly they put more where they really shouldn't, and characters don't progress as quickly as I had hoped. Romantic interests were established pretty early on but after that no character development happens and it really sucks Enjoyment: It's actually pretty enjoyable if you don't think too much about the character development, I like expositions and the various explanations regarding color choices, materials, and whatnot are great.

I will make this review as clear and concise as possible (NO spoilers in this review). Well, here we have it, an anime that delves into the topic of cosplaying... or at least, that's what it was supposed to be. The reason I say that is because while yes, the characters interact with cosplaying and they talk about how they like to dress up as them, act as them, etc., all these start to take a back seat later on in the episodes. This point is further emphasized when you compare this anime to another otaku-based one: “Saekano.” “Saekano” was an anime that brought a perfect balance between the harem/romcom aspect and the otaku/game aspect. If one were to watch it just for the otaku/game aspect and not care about the harem/romcom, they would be satisfied. If it was reversed, they would also be satisfied. This cannot be said for “My Dress-Up Darling.” This is because after roughly 4-5 episodes, the whole cosplaying charm starts to feel more like an afterthought, and the only reason you would really want to keep investing in this series is for Marin... which I guarantee you, is the only reason why this anime got as popular as it did. "What do you mean by that?" you might be wondering. Well, that all resolves around the topic of one character; that character being... well, Marin. Marin is the only reason why this anime became as successful as it did. Whether or not that is a good thing is up to you, but regardless of such, this does not bode well for the other main character of the story: Gojo. Marin completely overshadows Gojo and doesn't really give him time to breathe throughout the show. This creates an imbalance between the two as one is constantly being the star of the show (Marin) who is plastered onto everything that coincides with what defines a wish-fulfillment "waifu," while the other (Gojo) takes pretty much a back seat. As such, this results in the story being more of a fluff "how much can we make Marin cock-tease Gojo?" because, this is an ecchi rom/com after all. As one might expect, this starts to make the "comedy" too same-y or too repetitive because the audience always knows that Gojo isn't going to be the one to insinuate anything, it's Marin. Speaking of teasing, this is where Marin, as a character, starts to show how contrived and desperate she is to appeal to the audiences. While many see her as "Aw, that's so adorable!" or "OMG! This is best girl!" this is where she falls apart. Marin appears to be too try-hard to appeal to the male otaku audience. Yes, it's as if the author sculpted this character to desperately check off every box on a list of what makes a male otaku teen horny in the most blatant way possible. Why don't we go through every quality she has to show you what I mean: She is popular in school, likes to watch anime and cosplay, isn't afraid to show off her body (which goes back to how she cock-teases Gojo), likes to play porn/eroge games, and to top it all off, is extremely attractive both design wise and in the anime's canon. In other words, there is nothing really natural about this character (yes, even by anime standards), which makes this series—depending on how you look at it—come off as very try-hard or, as I stated before, contrived. Marin just fills these criteria in such an over the top way that it makes it seem like the author was saying, "People of the otaku audience, please watch/read this! There is a character that will make you horny *wink* *wink*." Basically, the author rode the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" trope way too hard that it becomes monotonous. What makes it worse is that the series is extremely reliant on making Marin attractive that yes, there is fan-service. No not the occasional "oh ha ha, he fell and saw her panties." This is more like almost an entire episode having Gojo look at Marin's tits or legs or whatever and getting turned on—all with obscure camera angles to emphasize Marin's attractiveness. So yeah, those are the flaws of this anime. Now, you might be wondering if there is any good, and yes there is. The animation is really nice and consistent, the OST is good, the art is really good, and... yeah, that's about it. Everything else (e.g. comedy, characters, etc.) I already stated, so that's all there is to say about this anime. I forgot to mention that there really is no story. It's a slice-of-life type of anime, so if your looking for some really deep romance story for instance, look elsewhere.

I've been entertaining a theory recently that all anime—and entertainment in general—can be sorted into one of two broad categories: genuine art, and pandering. Genuine art is a piece of media that often leaves people thinking seriously about it long after they have left the experience behind. This kind of entertainment is less about simply entertaining, and more about being an expression of the creator's desire to etch a message into people's hearts and minds. Pandering, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like—it is a product created to be successful as possible within whatever demographics it is targeted at. The shape of its existence is less pure artistic expression and more commercial viability. In other words, it is the way it is because the chief concerns of those who are pandering are to be popular and make money. Now, you might think I'm gearing up to be super negative here, and your suspicions do you credit, because I'm a pretty critical guy and it's not beneath me to drop a metaphorical deuce on something insanely popular. The thing is… I don't hate My Dress Up Darling. The show does things right in almost every department, and more importantly, if you showed me a picture of Marin with a smile on her face my serotonin levels would instantly shoot through the roof without my consent; the show makes me happy. Marin's bubbly energy is more infectious than a blood disease in a mosquito-infested jungle, and the animation quality is downright outrageous at times. It's obvious the animators were possessed of a frightening determination to over-animate the crap out of Marin at every opportunity, and it works in the anime's favor—outside of some slightly funky rotoscoped shots, all those little detailed movements and delightfully varied facial expressions make her feel incredibly real. This anime is deserving of praise, and I enjoyed the heck out of it, but I'd be a liar if I said it wasn't pandering, and pandering hard, not just to cosplayers, but the dedicated anime community in general. A rather passive protagonist with an odd passion that makes him feel alienated from his peers? A heroine who fully accepts the parts of his personality that cause him to feel shame, giving him a chance to feel useful and wanted? It's patently obvious that Gojo's level of compatibility as a self-insert for every male viewer is absolutely off the charts. I'm not saying that a relatable protagonist is a bad thing. But a lot of people are going to live vicariously through Gojo and be hypnotized by Marin, who is basically the ultimate otaku girlfriend; she's kind and accepting of everyone while still having her own style, proactive and flirty without being promiscuous, and just incompetent enough to allow room for the deeply-rooted masculine desire to serve and protect. It's scary how effectively she caters to an audience. In spite of my cynicism, I personally really like her, and I have zero doubt in my mind that I like her largely because I am most definitely within that target audience. Is My Dress Up Darling a high-quality production? Yes. Is it funny and raunchy and cute and comfy? Yes, all of the above. Will you enjoy it? If you are male, and you like anime in general, there's a 99% chance the answer is yes. Do I recommend it? Absolutely. Watch it and enjoy it. Just remember that this anime is in fact trying to seduce you. And yeah, being seduced can be a fun time, but when you look back years later, with a clear mind and sobered thoughts, the only thing you'll have retained from the experience is a vague sense of longing… and possibly a subconscious attraction to blondes with ear-piercings.

I have to be perfectly honest, I really don't think this show lives up to the hype surrounding it. I mean, sure I see the appeal of it, especially as a cosplayer myself and yes Marin Kitagawa is cute and very likeable. However, the series is pretty much a typical paint by numbers slice of life romantic comedy with a milquetoast male protagonist ment to serve as wish fulfilment for the lonely male demographic. And of course, there is fan service because you can't have a show themed around cosplay without it. Wakana Gojo, our said male protagonist, is a typical high school student who happens to have a hobby crafting hina dolls, a trade he learned from his grandfather as a young boy. However, due to a bitter memory of a female childhood friend criticising him for "playing with dolls" and thus ending their friendship, Gojo is recluse with no friends and no self confidence who keeps his hobby and love of hina dolls to himself. His life ends up taking a unexpected turn when he meets Marin Kitagawa, a typical cute and bubbly classmate who, in contrast to Gojo, is popular at school and not at all shy about her hobby, which happens to be anime. And ero games. Marin, upon discovering Gojo's hobby, does not belittle or ridicule him and actually takes interest in the craft of his hobby which in turn leads to Marin expressing her interest in cosplaying the characters she loves. Gojo offers to make Marin's dreams of cosplay a reality by using his knowledge of crafting outfits for hina dolls to create costumes for Marin which leads to the two striking up a friendship and maybe something more as Gojo creates costume after costume for Marin to wear at various cosplay events where more often than not hijinx and your typical rom-com schtick ensue. Given my introduction in this review, you probably think I hate this anime with a passion and are likely expecting me to ruthlessly tear it to shreds. On the contrary, there were parts of My Dress Up Darling that I enjoyed. However, it also left much to be desired. Let's start with the elephant in the room that is Marin Kitagawa. She easily could have been just another cute and bubbly anime girl relegated to pure fan service bait. And while the fan service and (rather uncomfortable) sexualization is certainly there, she ends up being much more than another cliche anime waifu. Her cheerful and bubbly energy gives off a vibe that she's an overall fun person to be around which is no suprise why she's popular with her classmates, while her openness of her love of anime makes a perfect foil to Gojo's reclusiveness. She also expresses interest in Gojo's hobby upon discovering it showing that she isn't arrogant or conceited and doesn't let her popularity go to her head. She can sometimes be rather scatter brained which brings in much of the comedy. Gojo on the other hand is a bland and rather dull protagonist who does get some form of development at least through his interactions with Marin as he begins to step outside of his comfort zone thanks to her encouragement and gains confidence in his craft. But like I said earlier, he is pretty much the standard male wish fulfilment character, the socially awkward recluse who somehow manages to attract the hot, popular girl. Which leads me to the story. It's pretty much your typical high school tale of boy meets girl themed around cosplay. Besides the cosplay part, it really doesn't do anything we haven't seen before. The animation on the other hand is excellent and is certainly one of the show's redeeming factors and the art style is pretty decent. To conclude, My Dress Up Darling isn't the worst anime I've watched but it certainly isn't one of the best and for me, it really didn't live up to the hype. It's rather average at best. But hey, other people seem to like it enough for it to warrant a second season which, at the time of this review, is due out sometime this year. Will I be watching it? I'm gonna have to say no. The first season was enough for me.

I honestly loved the whole concept of cosplay, the dolls, and dressmaking etc. being brought to anime, It is very unique. I just found the sexualization of minors disgusting personally…It has alot of ecchi elements so If you aren't into that then don't watch it. The main character is a 15 yr old high school girl and is sexualized through out the whole show. Even if it was a fan service anime they shouldn’t sexualize a 15 yr old girl. But I do like how the show gives personality to the characters they aren’t bland and boring. They actually have real hobbies lol.

, delving into the realm of romance and comedy, my two favorite genres, is always a thrilling adventure. A clean slate, devoid of the influence of reviews, allowing the story to speak directly to my heart. Fan service, ah, the divisive topic of our anime community. While some may find it exhilarating, for me, it feels like a shortcut, a mere distraction from the essence of a compelling storyline. Yet, introduce a charming, exquisitely drawn waifu into the mix, and suddenly, the narrative takes on a new dimension. Her personality, a veritable treasure trove, adorned with quirks that add layers of depth. And oh, her affinity for erotic anime? A delightful quirk indeed, adding spice to the mix. However, let us not stray too far from reality's firm grasp. As much as I relish a well-crafted romcom or a captivating harem, authenticity remains paramount. The line blurs when an anime veers into pandering territory, catering to the fantasies of lonely otakus, straying from the essence I seek in the medium. Yet, behold! After traversing the initial episodes, a delightful twist emerges, focusing on the enchanting world of cosplay. The characters, once mere vessels of fan service, now take on hues of complexity, delving into realms of development previously unexplored. I must confess, dear reader, I momentarily dropped this anime, deeming it a vessel for fan service, albeit adorned with captivating artistry. Yet, in a moment of serendipity, I returned, granting it a second chance between seasons. And lo and behold, the MAL score aligns with my newfound appreciation. In summation, while the path may have seemed fraught with pitfalls, perseverance unveiled a gem hidden amidst the fan service-laden landscape—a gem worthy of acknowledgment.

With an fun and engaging story I found my self loving every character, from how sweet the 2 new girl's sister dynamic is, to how socially awkward the main guy is and how his love for his craft comes into jokes or the plot in such a cute way. My issue with it, the main girl, she is the most cookie-cutter blond stereotype American girl. it's like they took every single popular blond that sits at the cool table from mid 2010's and pushed her into the mess that she is, listening to how she talks and how she acts was ear piercing, she was so odd and out of place vs all the other characters, I know there's people like her that exist, but I would rather eat a barrel of dung covered lollipops than have the pleasure of sharing a conversation with her, her being "pretty" feels like the only selling point.

Produced by studio CloverWorks with even more visual appeal and care than Bunny-Girl Senpai, My Dress-Up Darling is one of the most wholesome shows I have seen in a very long time. Our protagonist, Gojou Wakana, is an introverted loser who spends his time perfecting his craft of making hina dolls. Know those creepy-looking Japanese dolls with the white faces and fat cheeks? Yeah, those. It's a bizarre thing to be obsessed with, Gojou is self-aware of this, and even some of the surrounding cast explicitly shits on Gojou for having a cringeworthy hobby and professional aspiration, and yet Fukuda Shinichi, the author of the manga, is able to present Gojou and his occupation in such a way that even I found it endearing and rooted for him to do well. Our main heroine, Kitagawa Marin, is one of the most beautiful and popular gyarus (look it up) in school. Secretly, however, she finds it difficult to hang out with her normie friends because she can't really share her true interests with them. As it turns out, she's also a huge weeb and a cosplayer at that. Trouble is, she's hopeless at sewing, so she's incapable par excellence to make her own cosplay outfits. One thing leads to another, and Marin enlists Gojou's help to make her outfits for her, given his experience making outfits for dolls! It's not difficult to see why the internet fell in love with her and crowned her waifu of the year. Romantic comedy shenanigans ensue! Yes, I know, the super-hot-and-beautiful-popular-girl-turns-out-to-be-a-secret-nerd-and-takes-an-interest-in-the-loser-protagonist trope is nothing revolutionary and I can't blame you if you're tired of it, but as I always say, originality is overrated. You don't need to come up with something new. You just have to come up with some fun and cool that you believe in, and if you do, that passion is sure to be translated to your audience. Point and fact, Fukuda-sensei's passion and love was clear as daylight to me when watching Dress-Up Darling, for I can tell she really let loose and had fun with it. If I had anything to quip about, it's the fact that there wasn't enough wholesomeness! I wanted more. MORE! But such is the reality of watching a romance show when there's only 1 season out. Nothing to be done but wait for S2. Enjoy!

Story: 9/10 (Cloverworks) Visual: 8/10 (Square Enix) Detailed: 9/10 Hobbyist: 8/10 Characters: 8/10 Emotions: 7/10 Smoothness: 10/10 OP/ED: 6/10 Originals: 8/10 In the realm of anime, Cloverworks has established itself as a studio known for producing high-quality, visually stunning series, and Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-Up Darling) is no exception. This heartwarming and engaging slice-of-life comedy-drama has captivated audiences worldwide with its endearing characters, relatable themes, and exquisite attention to detail, particularly in its portrayal of cosplay culture. The story revolves around Wakana Gojo, a shy and reclusive high school boy with a passion for dollmaking. His solitary life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Marin Kitagawa, a bubbly and outgoing classmate who is also an avid cosplayer. Drawn to Wakana's skill at crafting intricate doll outfits, Marin enlists his help in creating her elaborate cosplay costumes, igniting an unlikely friendship and a budding romance. Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru is a celebration of cosplay, showcasing the dedication, creativity, and passion that cosplayers pour into their craft. The series meticulously depicts the process of costume design and construction, from fabric selection and pattern drafting to intricate sewing and embellishments. Viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship involved in cosplay, as well as the sense of community and self-expression that it fosters. Beyond its focus on cosplay, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and acceptance. Wakana's initial reluctance to embrace his passion for dollmaking stems from his fear of being judged. Marin's enthusiasm and encouragement help him break out of his shell and embrace his unique talents. The series also explores themes of gender identity, as Marin challenges traditional expectations of femininity with her bold and unapologetic personality. The anime's character designs are exceptional, capturing the essence of each character's personalities and emotions. Marin's energetic and vibrant demeanor is reflected in her expressiveness and colorful outfits, while Wakana's introverted nature is conveyed through his gentle demeanor and subdued appearance. The animation is equally impressive, with fluid movements, dynamic compositions, and a meticulous attention to detail. Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru is not just for cosplayers; it is also a must-watch for anyone who appreciates art, fashion, and photography. The series pays homage to the creative process, highlighting the beauty of intricate craftsmanship and the power of self-expression through art. The realistic depictions of fabrics, textures, and lighting further enhance the visual experience. Overall, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru is a delightful anime that will leave you feeling inspired and entertained. Its heartwarming story, relatable characters, and stunning visuals make it a must-watch for fans of slice-of-life, comedy, and drama. Whether you are a seasoned cosplayer, an art enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru has something to offer everyone.

My Dress-Up Darling toes an interesting yet ultimately unfulfilling line between its themes. Rarely is a show so crushed by the weight of its own ideas so as to skirt its way squarely outside the way of original thought. Very little was needed for this show to work, but it was just unable to reach its (actually quite average) potential. Having its cake and eating it too doesn't even begin to convey the way this show struggles to propel itself through it's short run time. My Dress-Up Darling is rife with cliché, but that isn't inherently a problem; sometimes a cute, inoffensive and highly cliché story is exactly what it needs to be to "click". This show even manages to be exactly that almost as often as it refuses to even come close. The problems arise when it fails to be what it's trying to be, which is most of the time. Weighed down by excessive fanservice, overuse of the same gag scenarios almost every episode, and the crippling fear of developing its characters beyond their initial circumstances, My Dress-Up Darling fails to deliver on any of its promises. The beginning of the show sets up a simple, yet cute premise: two people from completely different social circles have more in common than they ever could have realized and they begin to work toward a common goal together. It's simple, it's familiar, and it was apparently too much to ask of this show to actually commit to. Character growth is limited and often regressive for the sake of beating the same dead horse for the 12th episode in a row. Why bother watching Gojou learn to overcome his fears and social anxiety when he can and will revert to his initial state of anxiety as soon as an unfunny skit demands it of him? Kitagawa fairs somewhat better than Gojou, though her progress is still all too frequently sacrificed upon the alter of failed comedy. Still, its promise, even unfulfilled, is often enough to carry it from episode to episode. There are always just enough moments of its potential shining through in each episode that you can almost convince yourself it's going to be better next time. It rarely is, but it can almost always convince you that there's a chance. If you're interested in an unfinished romantic comedy with low stakes and an at least marginally likeable cast, you could do a lot worse than My Dress-Up Darling. That's not to say I recommend it, just that if you're unbothered by everything I've already written, you'll probably be able to get enough out of this show to enjoy it.

Extremely cute!!!! The series has a touching romance with a warm and blooming back and forth betwixt the two leads. It's cute and shy and warm, and very uplifting. The series, as a seinen, does touch upon some more "grown up" aspects of romance as existing, as the main characters are both coming off age and a mis of extremely open and extremely shy on many aspects of romance. It includes scenes of awkwardness related to comfort in/with their own and each others bodies and such topics one generally has following puberty. furthermore, while the series does include e.g. outfits like one might see on instagram - which might be a nominal turn off to some viewers, it plays off of these in a tasteful and shy way and as a built in part of the budding romance. All in all, the plot is not super complex; the character interactions are very well weighted and developed, and it creates a very rewarding slice of life romance. I definitely enjoyed gushing over the characters and romance in this anime. It was a very warm and rewarding watch.

'My Dress-Up Darling', as its known in English, promised A LOT with it's pilot. I was actually hooked whilst watching the first episode, under the impression that I'd be following the endearing character development of a shy and lonely boy as he made his first friend, learned about fashion and otaku culture and perhaps even fell in love. Unfortunately, I soon discovered I was sorely mistaken This show instead is pretty much 80% of Gojou, the male lead, getting *nosebleeds* and ogling Kitagawa at every chance he gets. The other 20% is usually the pair designing cosplays together and pretty much nothing else happens at all. In fact, there is no story, the show is simply Kitagawa thinking of a character and the pair then endeavouring to make a cosplay. There is no story arcs, no significant events, no character development, no drama, no comedy (except for "oh god, she's in her underwear! Where do I look!?") . Literally nothing happens. The show is entirely poorly done ecchi, which provides little entertainment when done so vapidly as opposed to other shows which utilise it for comedy and romance purposes, in part of a larger story. The first episode made me think Gojou was a sweet protagonist, but it soon became clear that he had no depth and was really just a vessel upon which the viewer can perv on Kitagawa. Kitagawa showed some promise of being vaguely interesting, particularly when she began to show interest in Gojou, however through the series she showed little development too. There aren't really many other characters which again makes the series rather dull. I could continue as there are innumerable bad things about this series, but I'll turn to some aspects that I found more positive. The animation is absolutely gorgeous and the series is very aesthetically rich and pleasing to the eyes. The outfit designs for the cosplays are also really detailed and cool. I also really like the concept of a show about cosplaying and seeing the efforts behind the scenes that cosplayers make, however in this case it was just executed really badly. To summarise, 'My Dress-Up Darling' falls short of the expectations set by its promising first episode and is an incredibly underwhelming and boring show with no plot progression driven solely by ecchi interactions. An complete waste of 264 minutes.

This is a slice of life ecchi anime, not romance. Having "romance" as the only tag is just straight up misleading, this 1st season is not romance, not even close, I elaborate a bit more on that below. As a slice of life show I'd say it does well, and the ecchi elements will take you by surprise if you don't like the genre or it's not what you're looking for. The 2 mcs are fine, but only the male lead has some character development, the female has close to none for some reason. The side characters don't really get much focus besides a few episodes which is okay if we stick to treating this show as slice of life. Same goes for the story, has only a little drive through copslaying but that's about it. It really is just a slice of life anime with a ton of spicy scenes that go beyond fan service. I rated it 7 but gave it "mixed feelings" because of the misleading tags. ------ LIGHT SPOILER ------ Labeling this as "romance" is a joke, does having a crush on someone and doing nothing about it the entire show counts as romance? Hell no. Literally there's nothing more happening than building up a crush in the first 4-5 episodes then nothing develops from that. The ending is not an ending, just a cooldown episode to warm up for the next season. So if all the romantic development happens in the 2nd season, why label this season as romance?

I absolutely loved this anime, I've watched a few times now. When I was feeling abit down and needed a bit of a pick me up, I turned this on. And when I just wanted to relax and enjoy a good laugh and a little animated eye candy I turned this on also lol but I'll get into the review. Story - 9/10 - it's a slice of life romantic comedy in a school setting. It's a little different seeing how sewing is the main subject and the MC aspires to be a Japanese Doll maker which you don't see often. The pace isn't too fast or too slow, and the events that take place don't overshadow each other. It's very easy to follow and it keeps your attention. It's a very enjoyable watch. Art - 10/10 - the animation style is great and done in a more modern style which is good. The colors are vibrant but don't distract your eyes. The environments were also done well and didn't look rushed and were well drawn. They didn't look blurry and there weren't too many repetitive designs. Also the mini anime they made for the characters cosplay was better than some actual anime lol. Sound - 8/10 - the OP & ED were pretty good and I enjoyed watching them, most anime I just skip the credits. There wasn't too much SFX in the main anime but when the MC was watching an anime to research a character the female MC wanted to cosplay and the SFX were great and there was even some battle scenes that sounded great. The source music or background music was also great, it really helps the mood of each situation and can make a scene much better especially in moments that have a lot of tension, the music can bring it up a few more notches. Characters - 10/10 - the character design was really good, especially the main 3 or 4 characters. I have an open mind and I actually like ecchi anime so all that doesn't bother me. Some anime it does hurt in some ways but it was fine in this anime. I also really like the voice acting, the actors did a really good job in bringing emotions and bringing the characters to life. Most times I watch the English dubs but I enjoyed the original with English subtitles. I will most likely watch the English dubbed at some point and compare the two. Enjoyment - 10/10 - I really enjoyed this anime to the fullest, I don't watch very many slice of life or romantic anime so I didn't know what to think going into it but I was pleasantly surprised. Like I said at the beginning, I've seen it a few times already and plan on watching it again in the future. Someone who doesn't like ecchi in their anime might get turned off at the idea of an anime like this but I'm telling you that the ecchi moments actually help this anime in specific ways when used properly and at the right moment, just like adding music to an already tense scene putting a little panty or cleavage shot in the right moment can help the tension rise tenfold. Ofcourse that's 100% my opinion and I know not everyone is going to share it with me. But like I said, I think most anime lovers will see the beauty in this anime and enjoy it like I did. Overall - 9.5/10 - this anime is very high quality, has great animation and voice acting aswell as good music and SFX. It can be enjoyed at anytime by almost anyone. For me this anime was really enjoyable and honestly anyone with an open mind could have fun and enjoy it also. If it's the 1st time watching or the 4th time watching, it is still funny and makes you feel good after watching it. Im giving it a 9.5 but I will round up for the MAL score since it doesn't let you score each category anymore. If you enjoyed this review then please check out my other reviews.

Just by glancing over the review section and seeing all the negative results, I can understand why you guys get zero bitches. This was a feel good, slice-of-life/rom-com anime, with some fanservice and is by no means very complicated. If you want something simple, yet well-thought out, this anime is enjoyable. The anime also defies conventional pussy-ism/beta-ism. While the main character, Wakana Gojo, is the conventional soft, empathetic, reserved type, he also exhibits a sense of bravery that would make him more relatable. His character is so well made it seems like he could be a real person. Unlike a lot of other rom-com protagonists, Gojo comes to terms with his feelings, and doesn't collapse upon himself. The female, Marin Kitagawa, also seems very realistic and not too annoying. She also exhibits a sense of bravery and does not shy away from stating her feelings for Gojo to the audience(herself). Those that disliked Kitagawa, are severely jealous of her big boobs and extraversion that leads to success in her love life.

TLDR: This show is boring and just a waste of my time just go watch Komi instead. Yeah yeah I know that this kind of show isn’t for me. I love me some big action shows and what not, but even by the standards of the genre there are many better shows you could be spending your time on. (Komi) The actual plot is what pulled me into watching the show cause it sounds awesome. It sounds like a great setup for a drama show, and I came in with the expectations of a heart tugging, melancholy yet touching story. And boy, could I ever be more wrong in my life. At least I was able to watch a whole season of this show which is an accomplishment, but when it comes down to it there’s a strong foundation for a good story. It just sucks that it’s drowned out by a nonexistent plot, an unlikeable overly horny protagonist, and many VERY questionable sexually charged scenes for a show targeted at 14 year olds. The show ends with no real goal being accomplished, no proper character arc that either main character goes through. Nobody has really seemed to change as people from the first episode down to the last, and if the characters have learned buttfuck nothing, than we as the audience have learned nothing as well. There is no morals, there is no lesson to be learned after it’s 4 hour long runtime. Just like cheap sex it’s inspired from, it’s a show without substance, and without substance, it’s nothing more than a waste of time, and more sadly what seems to just be a wasted opportunity.

Simply my thoughts overall on my enjoyment, not going to bother with an essay on "RaTiNg ThE sToRy PrOpErLy". Simply put, It's genuinely one of the few shows in the last few years that has gripped me. I hate it because it makes me think too much about my life and the chances I've thrown, but on the other hand I fucking love it because its a well written, wholesome easy to watch show. Characters are relatively realistic, outside the standard tropes. If you need something to sober you and make you sit and reflect on what life has become, give it a watch. I shall leave you all with a quote from our favourite cesspit, 4Chan. > "It is foolish to like Gyaru when they are extinct" > "But there is no such thing as a boy who doesn't like dinosaurs" > "That's very convincing" Thanks for coming to my TedTalk

It is an anime full of fanservice but that is neither good nor bad, but necessary for the plot. It is one of the few anime that takes advantage of its fanservice to give the plot another twist. It is a beautiful anime, every Saturday became a happy Saturday because I could see this work of art, in a certain sense it is one of the few things I could do to not get sad, this anime is literally a caress to the soul. The animation is outstanding, the soundtrack excellent, the design and development of characters is magnificent. It is incredible how good the truth is, I recommend it to everyone. It is a romance anime that is not the typical cliche, it focuses more on the hobby that unites the protagonists and from that their relationship develops. I really liked how they dealt with the trauma that Gojo had with the people because of a girl who did not know how to appreciate her past time and then Marin appears, and she only accepts it as it is and that whole relationship is beautiful. The truth WAIFU of my life Marin, I wish I could meet someone like that. I highly recommend it, there is no waste in watching this beautiful anime. I don't give it a 10 because I'm left wanting more but it's still an excellent anime, hopefully there will be more seasons in the future. En español: Es un anime lleno de fanservice pero eso no es bueno ni malo, sino necesario para la trama. Es uno de los pocos animes que aprovecha su fanservice para darle otro giro a la trama. Es un anime hermoso, cada sabado se volvio un sabado feliz porque podia ver esta obra de arte, en cierto sentido es de las pocas cosas que podia hacer para no ponerme triste, literalmente es una cariacia al alma este anime. La animacion es sobresaliente, la banda sonora excelente, el diseño y desarrollo de personjes es magnifico. Es increible lo bueno que es la verda se la recomiendo a todo el mundo. Es anime de romance que no es el tipico cliche, se centra mas el hobbie que une a los protagonista y apartir de eso se desarrolla su relacion. Me gusto mucho como tartan el trauma que tenia Gojo con las peronas por culpa de una chica que no supo apreciar su pasa tiempo y despues aparece Marin, y solo lo acpeta como es y es hermosa toda esa relacion. La verdad WAIFU de mi vida Marin, ojala conocer alguien asi. Lo recomiendo mucho no hay desperdicio en ver este anime hermoso. No le pongo un 10 porque me quede con ganas de mas pero sigue siendo un excelente anime, ojala haya mas temporadas en un futuro.

The Anime wasn't that what I have thought. When I first watched My Dress Up Darling I thought there would be some interesting things about cosplaying. But the whole story long, the main story was the love between Gojo and the girl. I don't liked that, it wasn't that what the Anime suggests to be. But there isn't everything wrong, the Art and the beautiful ending are perfect, I love them. Also one thing that would be nice to have, if there were the both girls Sajuna and Shinju st the end of the first season. But so we doesn't know how they are going. I also hoped that we would find out more about the past of Marin, but this wasn't happening... All in all, I wouldn't watch MDUF again.

My Dress-Up Darling constructs a romance narrative around creativity, self acceptance, and the unexpected connections that emerge when personal passions are shared openly. Beneath its colorful presentation lies a story about individuals learning to express identity without fear of judgment, particularly in environments where personal interests often become sources of embarrassment or misunderstanding. The story follows Wakana Gojo, a quiet high school student who dedicates most of time to mastering the traditional craft of hina doll making. Years of practice in sewing delicate clothing and sculpting intricate details have shaped both skill and personality. Gojo carries deep admiration for the craftsmanship inherited from a family tradition, yet childhood ridicule from classmates created a lasting sense of insecurity. As a result, Gojo hides this passion from others, convinced that revealing such an unusual interest will once again lead to rejection. Daily life continues in relative isolation until an unexpected encounter introduces Marin Kitagawa. Marin represents the complete opposite social presence within school life. Confidence, sociability, and expressive enthusiasm make Marin widely admired among classmates. The two worlds collide when Marin accidentally discovers Gojo’s sewing ability in the home economics room. Without confusion or ridicule, Marin reveals a personal secret of her own: a deep fascination with cosplay. Marin dreams of portraying characters from games and visual novels that hold personal significance, yet creating accurate costumes requires skills far beyond beginner level. Gojo’s sewing expertise suddenly becomes the missing piece needed to transform those ambitions into reality. What begins as a practical collaboration gradually develops into a partnership where creativity becomes the central form of communication between the two characters. The narrative places strong emphasis on the process behind costume creation. Selecting materials, studying character designs, adjusting fabric patterns, and refining small details all become meaningful narrative events. Through these collaborative efforts, Gojo begins to recognize that the skills once hidden out of embarrassment can bring genuine joy to others. Marin, on the other hand, demonstrates unwavering enthusiasm for every stage of the process, encouraging Gojo to take pride in craftsmanship rather than conceal it. Cosplay events introduce additional characters who expand the creative community. Fellow cosplayers such as Sajuna Inui and Shinju Inui reveal different motivations behind the hobby, ranging from professional dedication to personal self expression. These encounters broaden the narrative beyond the central pair, illustrating how artistic passion often connects individuals with widely different personalities and backgrounds. As the story progresses, romantic tension gradually grows through everyday collaboration. Gojo begins to notice Marin’s natural warmth and genuine admiration for his work, while Marin becomes increasingly aware of Gojo’s kindness and quiet dedication. Affection develops through small moments of trust, shared excitement during costume completion, and the subtle realization that each person has become an irreplaceable presence in the other’s life. Despite the charm of its central dynamic, the story also reveals several narrative limitations. One weakness appears in the balance between romantic development and fanservice oriented presentation. Certain scenes emphasize physical comedy or suggestive framing that occasionally distracts from the sincerity of the character relationship. While these moments align with the playful tone of the series, they sometimes interrupt the emotional flow of the narrative. Another limitation emerges in the pacing of character growth. Gojo’s transformation from social insecurity toward confidence occurs gradually, yet Marin’s personal development remains comparatively subtle. Marin often functions as the emotional catalyst encouraging Gojo’s progress, but deeper exploration of Marin’s own internal struggles receives less attention. The episodic structure centered on different cosplay projects also creates uneven narrative momentum. Each new costume introduces a fresh creative challenge, yet the broader romantic storyline advances only in small increments between these arcs. This structure can occasionally make the overall progression of the relationship feel slower than expected. From a production perspective, animation by CloverWorks stands out for vibrant character animation and expressive visual detail. Facial expressions, body language, and subtle gestures communicate personality effectively, particularly during moments of excitement surrounding cosplay preparation. The series also pays careful attention to the textures of fabric, costume accessories, and sewing processes, visually reinforcing the craftsmanship central to the story. Color design frequently embraces bright palettes and lively lighting that reflect Marin’s energetic personality and the colorful world of cosplay culture. Costume scenes receive particularly careful visual treatment, allowing completed outfits to appear striking and visually memorable. Music supports the playful atmosphere with upbeat compositions and light romantic melodies that accompany many character interactions. The soundtrack reinforces the feeling that creativity and enthusiasm drive the emotional energy of the series. Overall, My Dress-Up Darling presents a romance that grows through shared passion and mutual encouragement. By focusing on the joy of creative expression, the story highlights how embracing personal interests can open unexpected paths toward friendship and love. Although fanservice elements and uneven character exploration occasionally weaken narrative balance, the sincerity of the central relationship and the celebration of artistic dedication give the series a distinctive charm within the modern romantic comedy genre. Anyway, keep in mind that no opinion is ever purely objective, and every perspective remains open to discussion. Even so, each viewpoint still holds its own value. If you happen to see things differently, simple mutual respect is more than enough. That same respect is the spirit behind this reflection as well. Wishing everyone a peaceful day ahead, and thank you for taking the time to read.