
a review by NovasNightmare
4 years ago·Mar 26, 2022

a review by NovasNightmare
4 years ago·Mar 26, 2022
The first week into this new year, there was this anime garnering a noticable amount of attention. I myself am not too seasoned with rom-coms, but i thought i'd check it out just to see what the noise is about. Little did i know, i'd be stepping into an anime which would captivate me from the opening moment. 12 weeks later, i'm here to talk about an anime that swept me off my feet
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru / My Dress-Up Darling is a romantic comedy which tails the after-school hobbies of two teenagers existing on opposite ends of the social spectrum; Wakana Gojou, our socially awkward and earnest male-lead who keeps to himself his love for crafting hina dolls- and Marin Kitagawa, the extremely alluring and charming gyaru with a concealed passion of her own- cosplaying. with this effort, we're fortunate enough see CleverWorks masterfully adapt a manga that is as arousing as it is inspiring. A story centered around being passionate about what you love, about how opposites attract, and the grand theme of becoming a cosplay novice
However, while the forementioned is true, simply leaving it at that wouldn’t do justice to the immersion, enjoyment and impact this series has offered to myself and all those who pick it up. At its core, My Dress-Up Darling is an otaku-style survival guide to asserting confidence in who you are and what you like. Not being afraid of falling short or making mistakes- but instead, looking for opportunities to learn, and ultimately, living life beyond your comfort zone. These themes are neatly packed behind a wholesome development between unlikely individuals with complementary skill-sets, coated with unrivalled, irresistible charm
oh. and it's ecchi as f- (<-- * we'll get to that later...*)


As for the supporting characters? None feel out of place or underdeveloped. Although this anime doesn't shine in it’s cast department (limiting the character count to 3 until the midway point), the addition of new characters gives the second half of the show a much needed twist
Another impressive aspect of My Dress-Up Darling is the voice acting. The VA performances are so full of life and bring the best out of each character. The expressions in every scene really do justice to the tone the manga was going for. While on topic, I'll add that the subtitles accommodate by using a plethora of slang- like at times using 'wuv' in place of 'love', for example
As for the visuals; perhaps the anime's biggest selling point.
The quality of animation showcases some of the most fluid and attractive physics you'll see out of a slice of life not produced by KyoAni. The aesthetic is extremely modern and eye-catching. The quality doesn't dip halfway through the series and it's such a treat to watch. To compliment the fluid visuals are scenes that make the most of the physics. That'll takes us to the:


My Dress-Up Darling is a highly entertaining development that gets better with each episode. A romance that can be appreciated on it's surface level as well as with a deeper look. A cultured experience that pulls you in and leaves you craving the next episode. It's also a stance on how we as people shouldn't settle for company that doesn't accept us for our interests. Even in an environment where you feel alienated or alone, it doesn't mean you have to abandon what makes you, you, in order to fit in or make friends
My Dress-Up Darling is the premier of 2022's best girl, as well as a cozy anime about cosplaying. An anime that honestly invests you in to it's two main characters. If you can bypass the fanservice, it's extremely rewarding, and a must-watch. Above all, it's an anime that has impacted me in a positive manner. To me, the execution of all of it's qualities deem it a modern masterpiece, because it succeeds at accomplishing exactly what it sets out to do. Go in with low expectations, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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