The first season of My Dress-Up Darling captured the hearts of fans everywhere with its blend of heartfelt romance, charming banter, character growth, and a deep love for cosplay. The two main characters, Kitagawa Marin and Gojou Wakana have a relationship that starts out as a teasing friendship and slowly grows into something more. Their interactions, filled with humorous and sweet moments, give viewers a chance to peek into a blossoming and nerdy high school relationship.

From crafting costumes to slowly growing closer and falling for each other, My Dress-Up Darling shines in its ability to create the cutest moments of pure friendship, creativity, and love. Kitagawa's open-hearted nature helps Gojou overcome his insecurities, while Gojou's dedication and craftsmanship inspire Kitagawa's ion for cosplay. With this blend of comedy, awkwardness, and romantic tension, season one of My Dress-Up Darling leaves fans excited for more as the duo's journey continues.

10 Shinju's First Cosplay

After Watching Her Sister Cosplay For Years, Shinju Gets The Courage To Try It Herself

After years of watching and photographing her sister's cosplay, Shinju finally musters up the courage to try it herself in one of the most heartwarming moments of My Dress-Up Darling. While her older sister, Sajuna, is a seasoned cosplayer, Shinju has always ired her from afar and stayed behind the scenes as a photographer. But when Gojou and Kitagawa help her realize that cosplay is not restricted by body type or age, Shinju finds the strength to step into the world of cosplay herself.

With Gojou's sewing expertise, Shinju is able to transform into a character that she has always ired and wanted to cosplay, shocking both Kitagawa and Sajuna. The moment is made even more meaningful by Shinju's realization that she, too, can enjoy the hobby that she has ired for so long, and it shows a great example of a loving and ive sibling bond.

9 Kitagawa And Gojou Meet

They Talk About Each Other's Hobbies And Creativity

Kitagawa and Gojou's first meeting is a key moment in the series, setting the tone for their entire relationship. Gojou is initially shy and introverted, spending most of his time creating and decorating hina dolls and hiding his ion from others out of fear of judgment. When Kitagawa accidentally discovers him sewing in the school craft room, she doesn't mock or make fun of him, but instead, she praises his skills and shares her love for cosplay.

This moment allows them to open up to each other about their hobbies and creativity, sparking the connection that continues to grow throughout the season. Kitagawa's energetic personality contrasts with Gojou's reserved one, but their mutual respect for each other's ions makes their relationship incredibly endearing. The way they bond over creativity and shared interests solidifies this moment as one of the best in the show.

8 Kitagawa Takes Gojou Clothes Shopping

She Wanted To Get A Matching Outfit With Him

In an adorable and thoughtful scene, Kitagawa decides to take Gojou clothes shopping. This moment is not only fun, but shows how much their relationship has started to grow. Kitagawa, who is very much a fashionista, wants to help Gojou step out of his shell a little bit, and what better way to do that than sprucing up his wardrobe? As they browse the store, Kitagawa is full of excitement, and it is clear that she genuinely cares about helping him look and feel more confident.

Gojou, on the other hand, feels both overwhelmed and very flattered by all of her attention. The best part of this scene is Kitagawa's not-so-subtle desire to get matching clothes with him, which shows the audience how comfortable and connected she feels with Gojou, even though she does not yet fully realize her romantic feelings. Their shared moment of laughter and awkwardness makes this scene a sweet and memorable one.

7 Kitagawa Teases Gojou

Kitagawa Gives Gojou A Peek At Her In The Dressing Room To Make Him Flustered

Many of the most humorous moments in My Dress-Up Darling come from Kitagawa teasing Gojou and this scene is one of the best examples of that. While shopping for her cosplay, Kitagawa teasingly gives Gojou a peek at her cosplay undergarments in the dressing room. Kitagawa, always playful and confident, uses the opportunity to fluster Gojou, who's completely out of his comfort zone in such an intimate setting.

While Kitagawa sees it as harmless fun, Gojou's reaction is priceless. His face turns bright red, and he stumbles over his words, unsure of how to handle the situation. This moment perfectly shows the two characters' contrasting personalities, with Kitagawa being bold and unapologetic and Gojou being shy and reserved. The playful teasing adds a layer of humor to their relationship, making this scene one of the many funny and embarrassing moments of the show. At the same time, it subtly builds on the chemistry developing between them.

6 Kitagawa's First Cosplay Outing

Gojou And Kitagawa Go To A Cosplay Convention Together For The First Time

The first time Kitagawa and Gojou attend a cosplay convention together is a major milestone in their growing partnership. Kitagawa, in full cosplay, beams with excitement as Gojou stands off to the side watching in awe at how she brings her character to life. For Gojou, this moment is a culmination of his hard work, as he sees the cosplay he worked very hard to make on display for the first time. Kitagawa's confidence and joy in cosplaying the character they've worked together to recreate make the event even more special.

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It is also one of the first moments where they both realize just how much they've come to rely on each other and how they do not want their relationship to end after just one cosplay. Gojou's craft skills and Kitagawa's enthusiasm make for the perfect team. This moment at the convention not only showcases their collaborative creativity but also hints at the deepening bond between them.

5 Gojou Goes To Kitagawa's House To Watch TV

They Both Think About How They Are Technically On An At-Home Date

When Gojou goes to Kitagawa's house to watch TV and study for her cosplay, it is another milestone in their relationship. What begins as an innocent visit soon becomes an "at-home date" of sorts, with the two cooking and laughing together. Both Kitagawa and Gojou are aware of the underlying romantic tension of their actions, but neither is quite sure how to address it. As they watch TV together, the atmosphere is both comfortable and awkward, with each other silently contemplating their feelings.

This scene is one of the not-so-subtle hints that My Dress-Up Darling gives to how their friendship is beginning to evolve into something more romantic, even if neither of them is fully ready to it it yet. The quiet, contemplative moments within this scene contrast with the typical over-the-top and high-energy moments of the show, giving viewers a deeper look into their emotional connection.

4 Kitagawa And Gojou Go To The Beach

After Hearing That Gojou Has Never Been To The Beach, Kitagawa Takes Him With Her

After hearing that Gojou has never been to the beach, Kitagawa insists on taking him for a fun day out. This classic romance anime beach episode is one of the key bonding moments for the two and a way for Kitagawa to show Gojou that there is more to life than work and crafting alone in his room. As they spend the day together, playing in the water and relaxing on the shore, Gojou begins to loosen up around Kitagawa.

He is used to staying indoors and focusing solely on his hina doll-making, but Kitagawa helps him realize the importance of taking a break and enjoying life's simple pleasures. This scene, filled with laughter, sun, and shared moments, is a refreshing change of scenery from their usual cosplay-focused interactions and shows how much the two care for each other outside their hobbies.

3 The Love Hotel Incident

Kitagawa Accidentally Books A Love Hotel For Her And Gojou's Photo Shoot

In a comedic twist of events, Kitagawa accidentally books a love hotel for one of her and Gojou's cosplay photo shoots. The realization hits them as they check in and understand where they are. Gojou is immediately flustered, while Kitagawa is a mix of embarrassed and nonchalant. Despite the risqué environment, they continue the shoot, and are mostly able to ignore the nervous energy between them. But towards the end of their time at the love hotel, Kitagawa and Gojou find themselves in a moment of panic and ion and almost kiss.

This incident provides some of the most hilarious reactions from Gojou, as he struggles to remain professional while being in such an intimate setting with Kitagawa. The love hotel scene is the perfect example of how My Dress-Up Darling has mastered how to balance humor with character development, pushing Gojou and Kitagawa's relationship into new territory while still keeping things lighthearted.

2 Kitagawa Confesses Her Love

After Gojou Falls Asleep On Call With Her, Kitagawa Confesses That She Loves Him

In one of the most heartfelt moments of season one, Kitagawa quietly confesses her love for Gojou after he falls asleep during a phone call. In this tender scene, Kitagawa's usual bold and playful demeanor softens as she listens to his sleeping breaths, realizing how deeply she has fallen in love with him. It is the most vulnerable moment for Kitagawa, who has spent much of the season teasing and joking around with Gojou.

Her confession, though unheard by him, is the final moment of the season and marks a turning point that will bring the characters into the My Dress-Up Darling season 2. While Gojou remains oblivious for now, viewers are left eagerly awaiting how their relationship will evolve in the future season.

1 Kitagawa And Gojou Go To The Fireworks Festival

The Final Episode Of Season One Brings The Two Even Closer Together With This Romantic Event

The final episode of season one brings Kitagawa and Gojou even closer together as they attend a fireworks festival. This class romantic anime trope is the perfect way to wrap up the season, with the two of them standing side-by-side, watching fireworks light up the sky. The atmosphere is completely romantic and full of unspoken feelings as they enjoy the festival's events. Kitagawa, dressed in a beautiful yukata, looks stunning, and Gojou can't help but ire her.

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As the fireworks explode overhead, the distance between them seems to shrink even more, hinting at the possibility of romance blooming between them in the future. This moment is perfect to place in the final episode of the season, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and excitement for what is to come in their relationship.

My Dress-Up Darling

Your Rating

My Dress-Up Darling
TV-14
Romance
Release Date
2022 - 2022
Directors
Keisuke Shinohara
Writers
Shinichi Fukuda, Yoriko Tomita
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Paul Dateh
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    AmaLee

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

My Dress-Up Darling is a Japanese anime series that centers on Wakana Gojo, a high school boy who crafts traditional dolls. His life changes when popular classmate Marin Kitagawa discovers his talent and convinces him to help her with her ion for cosplay. The series explores themes of friendship, personal growth, and the intersection of disparate hobbies.