My Dress-Up Darling

Wakana Gojo is a high school student who dreams of becoming a kashirashi, an artisan who creates traditional Hina dolls. He pours himself into precise stitching and tiny details, but he sticks out at school and feels clueless about modern fashion and trends. Marin Kitagawa, a popular classmate, seems to come from another planet until she reveals a private passion for cosplay and asks Wakana to help bring her costume ideas to life. Their collaboration starts as a practical arrangement but soon softens social walls, as they trade skills, tastes, and a growing closeness without losing sight of who they are.

Released in 2022, the animated series was created by Shinichi Fukuda and Yoriko Tomita and features Hina Suguta as Marin Kitagawa and Shoya Ishige as Wakana Gojo, bringing the characters to life with lively voice work and expressive animation.

The show appeared frequently in fan polls and anime community year-end lists, reflecting strong viewer enthusiasm. It didn't claim mainstream international awards like Emmys or Oscars, but it earned recognition within genre-specific circles and through audience-driven accolades.

My Dress-Up Darling pushed cosplay and costume-making into the spotlight, inspiring real-world cosplayers and hobbyists to try sewing, wig styling, and prop building. Marin's bold outfits and Wakana's detailed costume construction sparked a lot of fan art, tutorials, and social media discussion, turning specific scenes into widely shared moments across platforms.

Critics and audiences generally rated the series highly, as shown by a vote average of 8.434/10 from 835 votes. Viewers respond to its mix of light comedy and sincere character moments, and the story emphasizes craft, respect, and personal expression. It balances romantic tension with practical lessons about teamwork, boundaries, and the pride that comes from making something with your own hands.