My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 1 is now available on Crunchyroll and this review will contain some spoilers so you might want to watch it first if you want to avoid them.
Season 2 starts off in a fun and unexpected way. Instead of jumping right back into Marin and Gojo’s story, the episode begins with a look at the anime We’re The Tsukiyono ♡ Company〜—the show that Arisa, Marin’s next cosplay character, comes from. It might seem like a random way to begin, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Cosplay isn’t just about wearing a costume. It’s about understanding the character, and this intro gives us a feel for who Arisa is. Arisa also shares a few things in common with Marin, so seeing her first adds more meaning to Marin’s choice to cosplay her.
The episode also sets up a Halloween party, which becomes the main event later on. Halloween in Japan is all about dressing up and going out with friends, especially in places like Shibuya or Shinjuku. That kind of setting fits the show well and feels like a great way to kick off the new season.
Once that’s out of the way, it’s Gojo’s turn to get to work. Watching him research and prepare the outfit is both funny and interesting. The scene at the clothing store stood out, especially the part with the staff. You can see the joke coming, but it’s delivered so well that it still gets a good laugh. And it’s not just for laughs either. This show also gives you little bits of knowledge, like how bunny suits work and how they’re put together. As someone who isn’t into cosplay or fashion, I still found it surprisingly interesting.
This is also the part where I noticed some Bocchi the Rock! vibes. Some of the transitions and facial expressions reminded me of that show. Turns out, that’s no coincidence as My Dress-Up Darling shares some of the same staff and is also made by CloverWorks. Some people might say reusing styles is lazy, but it actually fits here. It adds a bit more fun to the scenes and doesn’t feel out of place at all.
With the outfit ready, Marin and Gojo head to a photoshoot. You’d think this is where the fan service would ramp up, but it’s actually not that intense. I mentioned in my first review of the season that there are still a few jokes and moments here and there, but the focus stays more on the characters than anything else. The real heart of the episode comes later, during the Halloween party.
At first, the party is just a good time—singing, costumes, and laughter. But underneath all of that, we get a closer look at Gojo’s feelings. Dressed in a bunny suit and surrounded by Marin’s loud, outgoing friends, he starts to wonder if he really fits in. When someone asks him how he knows so much about makeup, it hits a nerve. It brings up the memory of Nobara calling him a creep, hiding the things he loves, and feeling like he doesn’t belong.
But then Marin’s friends backed him up and said the guys also make up and that changes everything. Those comments make Gojo realize he doesn’t have to be ashamed of what he enjoys.
Just because someone calls you weird doesn’t mean everyone thinks that way. He’s not strange or creepy. He’s just himself, and that’s okay. It’s a quiet, powerful moment that shows how far he’s come. And it also tells how one nasty comment from a friend can affect someone for years.
Watching that part reminded me of my own past. I used to hide the fact that I watched anime, thinking it would make me look uncool. It wasn’t a big deal, but it wasn’t fun either. Since it has become mainstream these days, I’ve embraced it, and I hope Gojo gets to do the same with his passion for hina dolls.
The episode wraps it all up really well. The atmosphere was just right for the moment. Even with Nowa’s over-the-top singing in the background, Gojo was lost in his own thoughts, quietly working through his doubts. It was a moment of self-realization—he’s Wakana Gojo, 15 years old, a teenager, and he finally felt like he belonged and won. And just when things settled, the final spit-take after Nowa asked if he and Marin were dating was the perfect way to end such an episode.
Anime Corner was given an advanced screening of My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 1 for review.
© Shinichi Fukuda / SQUARE ENIX, “Kisekoi” Committee
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