Reviews

I was skeptical going into this because the summary makes this series sound SUPER suspicious and devious, but I was genuinely surprised at how heartwarming and adorable it is!

Marin and Gojo are already a perfect pair and balance each other out; Marin's bubbly, energetic, and honest personality brings Gojo out of his shell and makes him feel safe, while Gojo's kindness, empathy, and respectfulness makes Marin happy and pushes her learn more about him. They're both respectful of each other's hobbies and give each other time to gush about what they love. If only all fans of different hobbies could get along like that...*sigh*...

Now, I understand that people are a little put off by Marin's love for an eroge video game. While I wouldn't say that's necessarily something Marin should be watching considering her age, here's why this doesn't bother me:

1. Marin understands that the game is fictional and does not push Gojo or anyone else to participate in anything that occurs in the game.

2. Teens are going to consume age-restricted material. Thinking that they won't is like thinking gravity doesn't exist. It just depends on how emotionally mature they're gonna be about the material, and Marin is.

That being said, if people are put off by this, I understand. I just can't hate her for doing something that 99.9% of teenagers do.

Overall, this was a great surprise and I'm glad I took the chance to read it. I highly recommend if people are looking for an cute, sweet, yet super ecchi romance.

booklovingbabe's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

belalastanley's review against another edition

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3.0

This was cute, but I was hoping it would be in a similar vain to Wotakoi. More of a rom-com or I don’t know honestly.
It wasn’t bad. It was really easy to read.
But some of the chapters felt very repetitive either from what was said or how our main character Gojo reacted.
And I don’t particularly like how Gojo doesn’t see his grandfather as an example for himself, but rather he listens to what another kid told him when he was young. It just doesn’t make sense to me that he lives and works in the shop, but one person telling him that he’s weird for making dolls and that’s the end.
I also know that one future volume in particular includes very problematic ideas that do not sit well with me.
But this volume alone was cute but it’s not for me.

starstruuk's review against another edition

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4.0

The plot and storyline are interesting; it's as if Toradora and Komi Can't Communicate had a child. The random fanservice was uncomfortable especially because both characters are around fifteen (even though they don't look like they're fifteen). Also this is your reminder to do research on a book before you order it because I did not know it was explicit and the first panty shot was like a jumpscare. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES😭😭

diazmayra5's review against another edition

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4.0

Really cute, but warning there is a but of fan service and it does involve cosplay so keep that in mind.

lovesick's review against another edition

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3.75

I kept seeing "My Dress-Up Darling” on different recommendation lists, so I decided to give it a try and put it on hold at the library. However, upon getting it, I was taken aback by its mature rating, I feel like no one mentioned that at all! At first glance, I thought "My Dress-Up Darling,” was a cute and innocent story. However, the manga quickly reveals itself to be heavily focused on lewd and overly sexualized depictions of the main female lead, Kitagawa. This aspect of the manga is off-putting, as it detracts from what could have been a charming and wholesome story.

If I set aside these elements, there is still a genuinely sweet story to be found. Kitagawa, contrary to initial expectations, is portrayed as a kind and supportive character. Her encouragement of the main character, Gojo, to embrace his interests and be unapologetically himself is heartwarming and adds depth to their dynamic. And them being an unlikely pairing, her a cosplay enthusiast, and Gojo, an awkward guy passionate about doll-making, is what draws me to the story and it’s different than the typical romance tropes.

However, I cannot set aside those elements. The theme of self-acceptance and encouragement is overshadowed by its overly sexualized portrayal of the main female lead. I’ll try to roll with the rest of the series, but we’ll see.

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