__Plot/Story 6/10

The plot is just as the anime describes: it is a slice of life where not much happens (for the most part). This makes for a fine plot, nothing too special. It is primarily indulgent, wish fulfillment content without much realism or drama. The plot is very comfy, but nothing special.

__Animation/Design 11/10

Cloverworks absolutely blew everyone's expectations out of the water with the sheer beauty and detail of the animation. The hair flowing, the detailed facial expressions, even the physics of skin are all animated beautifully. You can tell the animators are truly in love with this serious and are passionate on what they're working on, and this pays off big time. The gorgeous visuals make everything that much more romantic and immersive. They really make the show.

__Characters 8.5/10

The characters are nice and but not particularly special or mind-blowing. Gojo is a good guy and for once it would make some sense for the main girl to like him. Marin is your classic dream girl waifu bait character, but she works really well and the chemistry between the two characters is great. The side characters are also fine, no character is particularly repulsive. They're all quite likeable and go through their own struggles and journeys which makes the characters enjoyable.

__Audio/Soundtrack 10/10

The beautiful, chill, and romantic soundtrack perfectly underscores what's going on on-screen. It comes in at the perfect times and just reinforces the that comfy feeling the show provides. It makes the interactions feel much more romantic and special. The OST was noticeably fantastic and really helps the show stand out.

__Additional Mentions

I have to mention the fan service at some point in the review. Yes, it is there, but I promise you it is not the focus of the show. The first 3 episodes have relatively heavy fan service, but after that the fan service moments are brief. The point is the romantic chemistry and wholesome interactions between characters discovering their passion is the point of the show, and not the fan service.

__Review Conclusion

My Dress Up Darling is the best you'll find in a fantasy indulging romance anime. The chemistry between the characters is perfect, the aesthetics are truly beautiful and have passion behind them, the OST comes in at the perfect times to make the anime hit that much harder. It's a comfy slice of life where not much happens in terms of plot, and this may be a turn off to some but it is the perfect comfort anime to turn your day around. I cannot recommend it enough for those who like the romance and slice of life genre. If you need more drama or a more complex plot to enjoy anime, this one is not for you.