My Dress-Up Darling explores the joy of pursuing hobbies in a grounded, realistic setting that helps both characters and viewers feel at home. It dives into themes such as insecurity, judgment, and evolving identity.
For example, anime fans often face judgment when labeled as “otaku,” “weeb,” or similar terms, labels that can discourage them from being themselves, leading them to hide or abandon parts of their identity.
This review will explore how My Dress Up Darling addresses those issues and why they shouldn’t prevent anyone from enjoying their pastime.
Cosplay is the Ultimate Form of Love
Cosplay is everywhere and dates back to the first Worldcon in 1939, when Myrtle R. Jones and Forrest J. Ackerman wore a “futureisticostume”. The term itself wasn’t coined until 1984, when Japanese reporter Nobuyuki Takahashi attended Worldcon in Los Angeles. Since then, cosplay has grown rapidly, with tutorials, specialty stores, fan clubs, and much more.
Cosplay is when individuals dress up as their favorite characters because of what those characters represent, such as bravery, strength, love, or other qualities they admire. It gives people the chance to see the world from a new perspective, transforming themselves into someone else and gaining confidence in the process.
In Season 1, Episode 11, Marin discusses how cosplayers have their “own interpretation,” which can divide fans depending on how faithful the designs are and sometimes create insecurities for those wearing them. Marin shared her own concerns about cosplaying as Liz-kyun, feeling that the half-pigtails wouldn’t suit her and believing they only worked for “cute girls.” This lack of confidence led her to avoid the cosplay altogether.
Gojo also found himself in a pickle when he couldn’t visualize the rest of Liz-kyun’s costume. This motivated him to research different types of succubi, compare them to Liz-kyun, and design the outfit based on his interpretation of the character. Gojo expressed how wholesome Liz-kyun was with her heart-shaped back and didn’t let his concerns about accuracy stop Marin from becoming another beloved character. Insecurities like these often prevent cosplayers from committing, but they aren’t necessary because cosplay is about enjoying yourself and connecting with others who appreciate the art and dedication.
Another example is when Shinju Inui felt that her body type wouldn’t work for the cosplay she wanted, which led her to believe that only her sister could be cute. She also believed that cosplaying was super expensive for her as a middle schooler relying only on an allowance. These insecurities, while common, don’t need to be obstacles if you take the time to research, budget, and commit.
Gojo found a way by leveraging his uniform, googling for answers, and utilizing his expertise as a doll maker to design the outfit that allowed Shinju to see things from her sister’s point of view; who also shared concerns of cosplays based on body type and that her sister could do better. As a result, these sisters grew closer and are even more committed to spending time cosplaying together.
Cosplay Tutorials
There’s nothing more enjoyable than when an anime takes the time to explore the realism behind the process. It offers fans tips on makeup, hair styling, photography, and fabric types, regardless of experience level.
As a result, fans are motivated to search for their own methods, connect with others such as cosplayers, beauty stylists, fashion designers, and photographers for tips, and even make new friends. There’s much that can be done on your own, but when an anime like My Dress-Up Darling promotes the message to not be ashamed and to reach out, it opens the door to new possibilities through its realistic portrayal.
Judgement & Growth
As an anime fan, it’s difficult to express your love without being called out for it. My Dress-Up Darling addresses this through characters like Gojo Wakana, who loves Hina dolls but was once called creepy by his cousin. Gojo grew up insecure and shy about his interests until he met Marin, who assured him there was nothing wrong with his passion.
Throughout the series, the two of them mature through their shared interest in designing cosplays. Marin is the ultimate example of an anime fan who proudly defends her interests, but also struggles to connect with others who match her level of intensity. Gojo might not have been as interested at first, aside from gathering information on characters and their outfits, but his involvement opened the door to Marin’s heart. She became happier knowing that someone was genuinely interested in her activities.
Furthermore, Gojo was able to grow in his abilities because of the care he put into Marin’s designs. In Season 1, Episode 7, Gojo’s grandfather noticed the detail in Shizuku’s outfit and compared it to his doll-making skills, saying Gojo was concentrating “like you would when painting a doll’s face.” This motivated Gojo to continue designing while experiencing something new and different from his previous life, thanks to Marin.
Another example appears in Season 2, Episode 3, when Gojo and Marin befriend Chitose Amano, who cross-dresses as a girl due to his lack of confidence as a man. Amano was often judged for being “too thin and not masculine enough” for a guy, which affected his self-worth until he discovered cosplay as a woman.
The more he cosplayed, the more confident he became, receiving compliments from his mother, sister, and every cosplayer who wanted to take a picture, regardless of his true identity. Amano learned to cherish himself because he found purpose through cosplaying and wouldn’t let anyone take that away, even ending a relationship when his ex called him “creepy.”
“Just because someone called me that once, that doesn’t mean other people will, too” – Chitose Amano
Judgment is a scary feeling that everyone faces on a daily basis. However, it shouldn’t stop you from expressing who you are. Gojo, Marin, Amano, and the others have shown that they would rather hold on to what they love than give it up for someone else’s approval.
Conclusion
Everyone has a different level of interest and commitment, and it’s not our place to judge others for that. We may experience hobbies in different ways, but we should continue cherishing them as long as they bring us joy and fulfillment. My Dress-Up Darling shows that it doesn’t matter what others think, as long as you are happy and benefiting from what you love.
My Dress Up Darling was voted Best Slice of Life and Romance. The second season is also currently airing on Crunchyroll, which is the perfect time for viewers to catch up on a world that offers and stands for confidence in following your passion.
Written by: Luke So
Images via Crunchyroll
© Shinichi Fukuda / SQUARE ENIX, “Kisekoi” Committee/“My Dress Up Darling” Project
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