A review by lovesick
My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 1 by Shinichi Fukuda

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.