Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

High school student Wakana Gojou spends his days perfecting the art of making hina dolls, hoping to eventually reach his grandfather's level of expertise. While his fellow teenagers busy themselves with pop culture, Gojou finds bliss in sewing clothes for his dolls. Nonetheless, he goes to great lengths to keep his unique hobby a secret, as he believes that he would be ridiculed were it revealed.

Enter Marin Kitagawa, an extraordinarily pretty girl whose confidence and poise are in stark contrast to Gojou's meekness. It would defy common sense for the friendless Gojou to mix with the likes of Kitagawa, who is always surrounded by her peers. However, the unimaginable happens when Kitagawa discovers Gojou's prowess with a sewing machine and brightly confesses to him about her own hobby: cosplay. Because her sewing skills are pitiable, she decides to enlist his help.

As Gojou and Kitagawa work together on one cosplay outfit after another, they cannot help but grow close—even though their lives are worlds apart.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kitagawa, Marin Main

Suguta, Hina Japanese

Gojou, Wakana Main

Ishige, Shouya Japanese

Inui, Sajuna Supporting

Tanezaki, Atsumi Japanese

Inui, Shinju Supporting

Youmiya, Hina Japanese

Sugaya, Nowa Supporting

Takeda, Larissa Tago Japanese

Gojou, Kaoru Supporting

Ono, Atsushi Japanese

Liz Supporting

Kuno, Misaki Japanese

Tengeji, Mirai Supporting

Tange, Sakura Japanese

Rune Supporting

Sekine, Akira Japanese

Kaname Supporting

Shirai, Yuusuke Japanese

Umehara, Shouta Producer

Oowada, Tomoyuki Producer

Nakayama, Nobuhiro Producer

Komatsu, Shouta Producer

Reviews

Mar 16, 2025

air_dan

Recommended

A very solid show that depicts the joy of sharing one’s hobbies and interest. Overall, the characters have a lot of personality. The contrast between Gojo and Marin really drives the show. There is a significant amount of fanservice, but it is justifiable in the subject matter of cosplay as well as the young teenage character navigating romantic feelings. The show tries to balance regular life and the cosplay adventures, yet the pacing doesn’t seem to always align. It’s nice how our two main leads just enjoy spending time together. There is potential for more side characters. The only thing truly lacking is more emotional ... depth besides Gojo struggling to come out of his shell. The show in future seasons should focus on all the labor and support Gojo provides. Most people should enjoy this show, but keep your expectations tempered.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Mar 24, 2025

starcarver

Mixed Feelings

Disclaimer: This following review is based on my personal experience and analysis of the series for the whole ride. I know this series holds deep meaning for many. I understand that it has a large and passionate fanbase, and if you one of them, know that I respect you genuinely. Everyone experiences stories differently, and my goal here is not to diminish its impact or to undermine anyone’s enjoyment, but to share an honest reflection on its strengths and weaknesses and how my perception of it.

My Dress-Up Darling is an anime that surprised me with its refreshing take on passion, creativity, and self-expression. At first ... glance, it appears to be a simple romantic comedy centered around cosplay, but beneath its playful and sometimes fanservice-heavy exterior, it carries a genuine message about pursuing one's interests without shame. While it excels in character chemistry, animation quality, and its portrayal of hobbies, it also has some weaknesses in its pacing and reliance on fanservice, which may not appeal to everyone.

Visually, the anime is outstanding. The animation is smooth, vibrant, and detailed, especially in how it captures facial expressions and emotions. Marin’s enthusiasm and excitement practically radiate through her lively animation, while Gojo’s nervousness and passion for craftsmanship are portrayed with subtle, realistic expressions. The attention to detail in fabric textures, costume designs, and makeup application makes the cosplay theme feel authentic. The lighting effects and soft color palette enhance the romantic atmosphere, making certain moments feel more intimate and visually striking.

However, the animation also leans into fanservice quite heavily, which, while visually well-executed, might feel excessive for viewers who prefer a more balanced approach to romance. Many scenes linger on Marin’s body, often in exaggerated ways, which can feel unnecessary and distracting from the story’s more heartfelt themes.

The soundtrack complements the anime well. The opening and ending themes are catchy and upbeat, reflecting the youthful and energetic tone of the story. The background music does a good job of setting the mood, whether it’s during the lighthearted cosplay discussions or the more introspective moments between the main characters. While the music isn't particularly groundbreaking, it serves its purpose well without overshadowing the story.

The story follows Wakana Gojo, a reserved boy passionate about crafting hina dolls, and Marin Kitagawa, an outgoing and confident girl who loves cosplay. Their worlds collide when Marin discovers Gojo’s sewing skills and asks him to help create her dream costumes. This setup is simple but effective, as it creates a dynamic where both characters learn from each other. Gojo discovers the joy of sharing his passion, and Marin finds someone who truly supports her interests.

However, when it comes to romance, the anime falls short. Despite the strong chemistry between the leads, their relationship never truly progresses beyond surface-level admiration. Marin constantly praises Gojo’s skills with the same repetitive "Wow, you're amazing, Gojo!" reaction, but this dynamic rarely deepens into meaningful romantic development. The story spends more time following Marin and Gojo attending cosplay events or working on costumes rather than exploring their emotional growth as a couple.

The romance aspect feels stagnant, stuck in a cycle of admiration and blushing moments without any real advancement. Even by the end of the series, their relationship remains in limbo, leaving the romance arc feeling unfulfilled and unresolved. For a series that markets itself as a romantic comedy, it struggles to balance both elements, as the romance barely moves forward beyond a few hints of attraction.

Marin is easily the highlight of the anime. She is energetic, confident, and unapologetically herself, which makes her stand out from typical female leads in romance anime. Her supportive and encouraging nature prevents the story from falling into cliché misunderstandings or forced drama. However, while she is likable, her character development is somewhat limited. Her growth is more about deepening her feelings for Gojo rather than evolving as a person.

Gojo, on the other hand, undergoes more visible development. At the start, he is shy and hesitant, lacking confidence in his interests due to past experiences. Through his interactions with Marin, he gradually becomes more open, realizing that his skills and passions have value. His journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance is one of the most compelling aspects of the story. However, he remains somewhat passive in his romantic feelings, which, while fitting for his personality, makes the romance feel slow-moving and ultimately unsatisfying.

As a romantic comedy, My Dress-Up Darling leans heavily on slice-of-life elements and lighthearted humor. The comedy is enjoyable, but it mostly comes from Marin’s over-the-top reactions and Gojo’s flustered responses. While some moments are genuinely funny, others rely too much on typical anime exaggeration, especially during fanservice-heavy scenes where Gojo gets embarrassed.

The humor works best when it’s focused on the characters’ interactions rather than forced ecchi moments. Marin’s carefree personality brings a lot of fun energy to the show, and her excitement about cosplay feels contagious. However, if you’re looking for sharp, witty humor or deeper comedic storytelling, My Dress-Up Darling might not be the best fit.

The slice-of-life execution is decent, as it successfully captures the day-to-day passion behind cosplay and craftsmanship. The attention to detail in showing real-world cosplay techniques, from wig styling to photography, adds authenticity. However, it would have been interesting to see more of the broader cosplay community, as the story mostly stays within Marin and Gojo’s immediate interactions.

The pacing of the anime is mostly steady, but it occasionally lingers too long on certain moments, particularly those focused on fanservice. While these scenes are meant to highlight Marin’s confidence and Gojo’s inexperience, they sometimes feel repetitive and detract from the story’s deeper themes. The balance between romance, comedy, and slice-of-life elements is generally well-handled, but the romantic progression could have been much stronger.

Fanservice is a major part of the anime, and while it may appeal to some viewers, it can also feel excessive and unnecessary. Many scenes exaggerate Marin’s physical features to the point where it feels like the anime is prioritizing visual appeal over meaningful storytelling. If you’re not a fan of heavy fanservice, this aspect of the show might be frustrating.

The conclusion of the anime, while not a full resolution, leaves room for future development. It successfully establishes the characters’ bond and sets the stage for more progression, but it doesn’t provide a strong emotional payoff or clear resolution to their romantic tension. For those expecting a more conclusive romance arc, this might feel a bit unsatisfying, as it leaves the relationship in an unresolved state without any real confession or progress.

The moral message of My Dress-Up Darling is one of self-acceptance and embracing one's interests without fear of judgment. It challenges the idea of traditional masculinity by showing Gojo’s love for doll-making as something to be proud of rather than ashamed of. Similarly, it promotes the idea that people should pursue what they love regardless of societal expectations. However, the reliance on fanservice at times can make it feel like the anime is unsure whether it wants to focus on heartfelt storytelling or appeal to a more male-gaze-driven audience.

Ultimately, My Dress-Up Darling is a visually stunning and charming anime with a refreshing take on self-expression and passion. The chemistry between the leads is engaging, the cosplay theme is well-developed, and the character interactions feel natural. However, its reliance on fanservice, slow romantic progression, and repetitive dynamic between the main characters hold it back from being truly great. If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted romance with a focus on hobbies and personal growth, it’s worth a watch. But if you prefer a romance that actually develops meaningfully, it may leave you wanting more.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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Mar 25, 2025

venusinfleursx

Not Recommended

'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.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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