One of the most enjoyable parts of cinema that has always fascinated me is how easily the writers, directors, animators, etc. can convey a message, belief, or story in a manner that books or word-of-mouth tales simply cannot. It's a very easy way to bring attention to issues that, in the minds of those creating said cinema, are topics that need to be further discussed for the betterment of our society. ___My Dress-Up Darling_ is one such show that did this with flying colors.__

My first exposure to My Dress-Up Darling is as basic as it can get - my friend recommended that I watch it. Glad to see that I can trust their recommendations moving forward.

Watching My Dress-Up Darling for the first time, I honestly did not know what to expect. I had no little to no prior understanding of the show other than that cosplay would be a major factor in the story and the character development. Little did I know that it would also play a major role in the very message preached by the directors and writers.

From the very beginning, one of the biggest themes of the show is the idea of self-expression and the freedom to express one's passion without the fear of being ridiculed or embarrassed. Viewers can see this desire to have that freedom through Wakana, while also seeing Marin preach it as if it were common nature. Both of them share this dream of self-expression, but Wakana is much more reserved and scared by the prospect of being rejected while Marin isn't afraid to show her true colors, regardless of how others view her. When these two characters pair up, it's clear that their personalities are like sand and water - they're completely different, but they also prove to mix well and create stronger bonds between the two of them.

Wakana struggles with his confidence and sociability because he doesn't have the confidence to share his interests out of fear that he will be viewed in a negative light, but after connecting with Marin and seeing her free spirit and confidence, he learns that not only are there people who accept you for who you are, but also that you can't be afraid to hide your passions from those who are petty enough to judge you for it. All of the main characters in the show understand this, making them a very pleasant, enjoyable, and close-knit cast. Juju and Marin are much more keen on this idea, while Shinju and Wakana are much more reserved and afraid. Despite this, Shinju and Wakana slowly learn that sharing your passions with others can bring you closer together as friends and family - a lesson from which many introverted people in real-life can benefit.

1. Music: 72/100 - I have gone on the record as a person who generally prefers and gravitates towards older music, such as older Japanese rock and pop. With that being said, I loved both the opening and ending themes for My Dress-Up Darling. I prefered the opening, but both songs were very, very catchy and something that I often hum to myself without me even realizing - it's good stuff.

2. Plot: 85/100 - No doubt my favorite aspect of this show, the plot and message of My Dress-Up Darling is what truly stands out to me. Its message to those who watch it is very fitting - especially to those who love anime, manga, cosplay, etc. and are too nervous or scared about the prospect of being ridiculed for it. Not only is it a very positive show in that respect, but I believe that many people, regardless of whether or not you like anime, can learn a thing or two from this show's story.

3. Characters: 92/100 - The stand-out plot may be my favorite aspect of My Dress-Up Darling, but I believe the directors handled the cast of characters even better. They could've made it solely about Wakana and Marin, and I still would've loved it, but by adding the duo of Juju and Shinju to help support Wakana and Marin, the audience is able to establish similarities between the avid cosplay fans in Marin and Juju, as well as the reserved and scared introverts in Wakana and Shinju. Throw Wakana's grandfather into the mix, and you have a wonderfully relatable and enjoyable cast of characters.

4. Art & Animations: 86/100 - ___My Dress-Up Darling_ is an incredibly beautiful anime, plain and simple. The animations are very smooth and clean while the artwork stands out the most, in my opinion. This show is based around the concept of craftsmanship, artwork, fashion and other forms of expressionism, and the animators did a fantastic job at capturing that theme and implementing it into their own craft - something that only adds to the overall message of the show.__

___My Dress-Up Darling_ is a very, very enjoyable anime that I'm incredibly thankful my friend recommended to me. Though, I found myself enjoying the message that the directors sought to tell their audience more than the way the show itself looked or played out across its 12 episodes. Yes, it looks great and has a great story and cast of characters, but I found myself smiling more at how relatable the show felt to myself and, potentially, the rest of its audience. I can relate to being afraid of showing people my interests - who can't, to be honest? And seeing how well this show handled that issue was what really sealed the deal for me. Great show, even greater message.__