With the anime charts prominently being dominated by shonen titles, My Dress-Up Darling brings some much-needed freshness to the anime world. The series was one of the biggest highlights of the winter 2022 season, especially for those with a keen appetite for the slice-of-life and romantic comedy genres. Action, gore and intensity may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the tea that My Dress-Up Darling offers viewers is quite enjoyable and refreshing.
It's quite possible that the audience may feel a bit of saturation in the romantic comedy genre, but My Dress-Up Darling has brought something different to the screen. There are many reasons why the anime stands strong against well-established series like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer. Even though one doesn't need any specific reason to watch anime, for those who do want some, the following may convince them completely!
There's An Engaging Storyline
The storyline is everything when countless anime of the same genre are released every year. Even though there are some stereotypical elements in terms of characters in My Dress-Up Darling, the anime levels up by shifting its focus to the individual journey of the characters. The main story is about Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojou, high schoolers with skills that complement their passions perfectly. Marin has a knack for cosplay but is terrible at creating costumes, while Gojo, on the other hand, is a master craftsman. Both the characters are at opposite poles, but their chemistry gives the viewers flutters -- mostly because the characters are extremely relatable and memorable.
It Provides Insight into Cosplay Culture and Techniques
Cosplay culture is deeply embedded and one of the most prominent aspects of the anime world. Not much anime is dedicated to exploring the cosplay culture, especially in Japan. My Dress-Up Darling's core plot revolves around the lead trying to up her cosplay game, which resonates with audiences who also happen to be in love with the activity. The anime also gives insight into the rules and regulations of major cosplay events, different techniques of achieving certain looks and how much effort goes into creating the perfect costume. It highlights an incredibly practical yet comic approach to a typical cosplayer's life.
It Offers Tasteful Ecchiness and Comedy for Mature Audiences
Many anime watchers may find the ecchi genre a bit weird and too much for their taste. However, that's exactly what My Dress-Up Darling got right, offering just the right amount of ecchi that nicely comes off as adult comedy. It is not forced into the storyline, and it's specifically not shoved into the viewers' faces unnecessarily. Marin doesn't hesitate to show off some skin when it comes to her costumes, but she doesn't do it needlessly.
Moreover, her confidence is nicely balanced with Gojou's shyness and awkwardness. His reactions when Marin casually undresses for modeling are beyond hilarious and cute. There's no doubt that My Dress-Up Darling deserves to be one of the best anime of 2022, and the above points should be enough for plenty of fans to add it to their watch lists.