Since its debut, My Dress Up Darling quickly became a hit in the anime world with its heartfelt portrayal of cosplay, friendship, and blossoming romance between its two leads. Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo’s growing relationship, grounded in their shared passion for artistry and craftsmanship, has captivated fans for its refreshing take on young love and self-expression.
However, many early viewers and readers dismissed My Dress Up Darling assuming the series was little more than a typical romantic comedy with a lot of focus on fanservice. Even the anime director, Keisuke Shinohara is no exception to this. The misconceptions surrounding the series’ theme could have almost ruined the anime adaptation of this popular manga.
Keisuke Shinohara’s Early Impression of My Dress-Up Darling
Many viewers often label My Dress Up Darling as a superficial romantic comedy targeted towards a male audience. The assumption is based on Marin’s character design and her enthusiastic cosplaying, which involves dressing up in sometimes revealing outfits. These elements were emphasized in early trailers and marketing purposes, which gave rise to the misconception that the show was just fanservice-heavy and lacking in emotional depth.
Even Keisuke Shinohara has admitted that he had a similar perception towards the manga initially. In an interview with Febri in 2022, Shinohara revealed that he thought My Dress Up Darling to be a typical romance manga featuring a male gaze, stating,
Honestly when I first started reading it, I thought it was just eye-candy for guys.
There is indeed some truth to this misconception. Marin’s bold personality, often seen in provocative cosplay, did attract attention from fans who appreciated the fanservice elements.
However, these elements were only a small part of a much deeper storytelling. Marin’s cosplay isn’t just for show — it’s a representation of her identity and passion, displaying her love for fandom culture and her desire to express herself in creative ways.
Keisuke Shinohara Realization of My Dress-Up Darling‘s Depth
Despite finding the series somewhat shallow at first glance, Shinohara’s mind changed when he continued reading the story. He realized there’s more to My Dress Up Darling than simply being a cliché romantic story targeted towards men. He acknowledged that the series could have easily fallen into this trap of being seen as superficial, had he not recognized the heart behind the story.
As I continued to read the story, I saw how earnestly Marin and Wakana approached cosplay, and I realized the appeal of the dramatic aspects, like how the two grew as characters. In volume two, there’s a scene where Wakana is crying as he makes a costume. I remember empathizing with him a lot, as at the time the work was really overwhelming, and it felt like we had synced up.
He emphasized that the characters’ awkwardness and sincerity in navigating their emotions are what make My Dress Up Darling a truly heartfelt series. One of the key moments that struck Shinohara when reading the manga was how the story shifted from Wakana’s perspective to include Marin’s inner thoughts once she realized her feelings for him.
This dual perspective gave the story its emotional depth and made it stand out in a genre often dominated by the male protagonist’s point of view. Moreover, one of the central themes of My Dress Up Darling is cosplay as a form of self-expression. Wakana’s craftsmanship, traditionally focused on hina dolls, finds new life in Marin’s cosplay projects. Through their collaboration, both characters learn more about themselves and each other.
Had the anime leaned into the perception that it was simply fanservice, it would have alienated a large portion of its potential audience. Director Keisuke Shinohara’s understanding of the manga’s deeper themes saved the adaptation from being a superficial romance. Shinohara made sure that the series revolved around the mutually admiring and respectful relationship between Wakana and Marin, rather than emphasizing the more lewd parts of cosplay.
My Dress-Up Darling is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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