This review is containing both material from the manga and the anime.

My Dress Up Darling. To be upfront with you, even as a returning anime consumer after a few years--Action packed animes always seemed to be my thing. I watched romance animes before don't get me wrong, but it's something about MDUD that really hooked me.

First off, what you need to know is that there is a plethora of fan service in the beginning, and in total honesty, I didn't like it. It showed the eccentric side of Marin and her unpredictable nature, but I believe it wasn't all that necessary. However, that doesn't bring the entire anime down (for me it doesn't) and makes up for it in the ending of S1.

S1 of MDUD is beautiful and I almost cried to it. Episodes 1-3 introduce the characters of Marin and Wakana, and their differences in character. Wakana is very introverted, while Marin is the polar opposite. Episode 4 is what got to me. Wakana is extremely stressed about fulfilling his promised duty to Marin, which is to cosplay, and he's trying so hard--almost too hard. At the very verge of defeat, what pulls Wakana through is Marin. The way this episode played out Wakana's mental struggle is an aspect I almost resonated with, and that's when I knew that this anime was going to be something for me.

The cosplay aspect of this manga/anime genuinely pulls you in, showing the craftsmanship of the outfits and how readily available cosplay is, which is unique to this series. Sometimes I wish the series' mentioned in this series were real. Especially mandate of heaven. MDUD gives these characters Marin cosplays purpose--not just blank characters who Marin cosplays just cause they are "cool," and I love that.

S2 is just as good if not better, but it leaves off on a cliffhanger, and now is when you start getting into the manga. The manga is just as good as the anime, obviously since it's the source material right!? The character Marin cosplays in this final arc of the series is a character called Haniel. Haniel is a beauty beyond what we can imagine, as the reader. I genuinely loved the premise of the character and the fictional series it was based off, and I would read it if it was genuinely a series.

The thing I love most about Haniel is the fact that I believe the author may have used Haniel as themselves. If you look up the author--Shinichi Fukuda--you'll find that the author is as secretive about their lives as much as Marin is when she cosplays Haniel, never finding out who they really are, and staying to themselves. It's a cool side tangent I think of.

The ending, what I anticipated, was short. Not necessarily rushed, but it was short. Marin and Wakana confess their love for each other after a misunderstanding, and Wakana is forced to man up, and confess his feelings to Marin. Thankfully, it went SWELL! (More than SWELL because they ended up MARRRIEEEDDDDD which I love.)

One thing about this relationship is that I wished it was a little more flushed out and given more care. Wakana is still nervous about most things, like holding hands with Marin, but I think of Marin as Wakana's stone, and it shows in the second-to-final chapter. Wakana finally capitalizes on his dream of showing his uncle his Hina doll craftmanship. (The uncle is a great character by the way.) And Marin holds his hand to ease him, the ring shown in part.

There's lots to love about this series, but if fan service really does turn you away from this--it's totally understandable, but I hope you take a shot at this, because MDUD is truly a great work of art. Keep in mind though, I am just a regular casual anime enjoyer, and I've never written reviews, but MDUD really stuck to me.

I love MDUD, and I hate how short it is, but damn is it good. Thanks for reading.