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A loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom!

The preparations for Marin and JuJu's group cosplay steadily advance...until at long last, the costumes are complete!!
That should just leave the photo shoot...but Wakana has a secret plan the other two don't know about!!

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2019

182 people are currently reading
825 people want to read

About the author

Shinichi Fukuda

62 books158 followers

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5 stars
1,701 (49%)
4 stars
1,242 (35%)
3 stars
446 (12%)
2 stars
62 (1%)
1 star
14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
Profile Image for Mina ☾.
577 reviews232 followers
December 2, 2025
I'm felling kinda sick of this series. I'm tired of the way that this series is going on.

Although I liked the main characters and the story, the romance between the protagonists is SUUUUUUUUUPER slow!

And more Fukuda brings A LOT ABOUT COSPLAY. Which isn't bad right? But the way that she is explaining each ''level'' of cosplaying is boring.


___ 2025 re-review ___

So I'm redacting what I harshly sayed when I first read this volume (in 2022). I think I was just, at the time, under the weather or close to a reading slump or not in the mood for this kinda of manga. But now? After rereading? I'm liking it so much. Even the parts I criticized before I'm enjoying. Seeing the cosplay... I'm for it. Seeing this slow romance... I'm here for it. So yep.
Profile Image for Nicolo.
3,669 reviews214 followers
August 12, 2021
This series continues to be cute, charming, and mildly racy. Right now, it has hit the sweet spot of one full arc per two volumes, and it continues here, with volume four continuing from volume three.
Profile Image for Mizuki.
3,437 reviews1,434 followers
December 13, 2024
Review for vol. 2: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 5: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The characters in this series and their behaviours continue to make me feel uncomfortable.

For example, does anyone mention the fact that for most of time what the heroine had done with the male lead is mostly without his consent?

You know, consent is important to boys too. Not every single teenage boy enjoys having a half naked girl pressing up against them, lifting their skirts and flashing their bikini bottoms at them out of the blue, without their consent, without even asking the boys whether they like it or want to see it or not!? Some boys would feel highly uncomfortable and embarrassed by such behaviours from a girl.

Plus, the original Japanese title of this series calls the heroine as a "Dress-up Doll", so does it mean the heroine is viewed as a doll to dress up with more than a human being? Sorry, this is getting even more uncomfortable for me.

I know, sex and the half naked bodies of girls are used merely as gimmick and jokes in this series, but still.

I will try one more volume but I am not putting my hope up.
Profile Image for Rereader.
1,460 reviews220 followers
June 12, 2021
This series continues to be adorable, sweet, and a blast to read! I love how passionate the characters are about their hobbies (gives me serious Wotakoi vibes) and seeing the characters (usually Marin) fangirl/boy makes me smile. The art is absolutely stellar and the photo shoot scenes were BREATHTAKING. Seriously, Fukuda has blessed the world with their beautiful art and I cannot be more grateful.

Something else that I love is how it never feels like the story is ticking boxes for cosplay ideas. Readers have seen both anime and video games represented, and a fighting game and a eroge at that! I had thought it would be purely anime that was represented, but I'm grateful that all kinds of entertainment media are getting time to shine. And of course, Wakana and Marin continue to be the absolute cutest, most precious love-struck idiots and I love them!

This is such a fun, engaging, and adorable series. I hope the next volume comes out soon!
Profile Image for Victor The Reader.
1,960 reviews26 followers
January 7, 2024
My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 4 (My Kindle Review)

Wakana’s cosplay collab with Kitagawa and fellow cosplayer Sajuna is a great success and he secretly also helps Saujna’s “big” little sister Shinju with her own cosplay. Later as summer vacation arrives, the two’s next cosplay protect gets a lot more sultry. A (100%/Outstanding)
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,216 followers
October 30, 2022
When watching the anime this was the weakest part for me too. The younger sister wanting to cosplay too never interest me and went on too long on how to get her dressed as a man and lose her boobs. But besides that arc the cuteness is still there. Find it funny the cover art is literally just thr last couple of pages haha
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,496 reviews69 followers
June 23, 2021
My, that was a lot of technical information. I have to admit that I didn't expect the b-holder to work for someone as buxom as Shinju, though.
Profile Image for Do.
178 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2025
I really love this series but I marin didn't have much screen (paper?) time so that's why it's not 5 stars.
Profile Image for Mark.
2,960 reviews294 followers
June 15, 2021
Marin and Wakana finally make it to their group photo session with JuJu and her sister, but Wakana has a surprise ready for them. All this and all the missed signals, breast smoothing, and technical background you can stand.

I mean, it was bound to happen, but this volume is the one that finally goes completely overboard on the technical details at the expense of the story. There’s waaaaaay too much here and if I never hear about eye shaping tape again I will be just fine.

Which is a bummer because when JuJu’s sister decides to get in on the act in a very, very long flashback and she wants to portray a guy, it’s fascinating stuff. Beyond the expected goofball antics, there are some interesting notes here about the way Wakana pulls it all together AND on a shoestring budget no less. I mean, no doubt some of this is exaggerated, but I imagine the theory of what he’s doing is sound.

It really hits home how good at this Wakana is and how much Marin has opened him up to new things. He makes a very obvious, but appreciated, point that you can’t just assume somebody wouldn’t appreciate your efforts because you can’t really know what anybody is thinking.

Which is fair enough as the overly earnest (and amusingly horny - the first chapter is full Marin/Wakana dynamic and it’s great) creator continues to miss every possible signal from Marin, who’s not really much better at being up front with him. I did appreciate the very on-the-nose anime playing in the background during one of their later scenes (oh Wakana, too pure for this world of ribald cosplay).

So there are some fun bits, plus some random storm clouds from JuJu, who clearly isn’t a fan of Marin and clearly IS a fan of Wakana’s. I just wish it wasn’t so bogged down in the minutiae of the costume designs. If you are here for those moments, you will actually find this more interesting than I did.

3 stars. I still truly adore this series, but this definitely wound up being the weakest volume of it to date. More character interaction, less technical breakdown next time and I’ll be happy.
Profile Image for cynthia ☆ミ.
8 reviews4 followers
March 14, 2022
sorry, i was liking the series but i have to stop here. the whole blackface thing doesn’t sit right with me and it’s seen as a cool cosplay trick to get to look more like a character than being actually offensive. and for gojou to make a comment that she’s “pitch black” when she was barely even tan. cmon now. okay
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Adam Fisher.
3,693 reviews23 followers
February 7, 2023
Continuing on to Volume 4.... starting to wonder if these are really actual cosplay techniques that Wakana is using. With the added stories about the author's research at the end of the Volumes, I don't see why it shouldn't be... Not only an entertaining story, but also informational about cosplay!
Highlights:
- Wanaka works on and finishes the Black Lily costume for Juju and the Black Lobelia costume for Marin. They both really love them and are looking forward to their upcoming group photo shoot.
- Juju's sister Shinju admits that she would like to try it too, but she wants to cosplay as a guy, Soma, from the same anime that the two girls are cosplaying from. Wakana makes the cosplay in secret, as a surprise for Marin and Juju. There is quite a lot of time discussing and figuring out how to hide Shinju's ample chest, but the body shaping that Wakana is able to do really makes her look like the male Soma
- They have a very successful photoshoot.
- Marin and Wakana continue to hang out and she announces her next cosplay: Veronica Tya, a barely clothed feral girl from a fighting game. Wakana makes the costume very fast, but reflects on how much his skill with Hina doll making has increased due to his new skill from making costumes.
- Cliffhanger teaser for next time: Marin shows up with a dark tan! (Probably spray, to better be Veronica...)

Though I know the love story is still there and growing, it was nice to see Wakana get a chance to show off his nice non-focused-on-Marin side. I am kind of waiting for the first drama of having to pick between careers, but I hope that's still a bit far off.

Recommend. This romance is sweet and kind.
Profile Image for Syki.
1,188 reviews215 followers
December 15, 2025
Ačkoliv se příběh točí převážně okolo cosplayování, přiznám se, že v tomhle volume toho vysvětlování na mě bylo až moc a docela mě nudilo. Je to sice zajímavé a týká se to příběhu, ale tak nějak mi toho přišlo už moc.

A tentokrát se Wakana staral o cosplaye hned tří holek, což teda neuvěřitelný výkon, což mu občas činilo jisté útrapy a divím se, že se jako dospívající kluk už úplně nezbláznil z toho, čeho všeho už byl svědkem.

Ale Wakana je dobrák od srdce a je vidět, že to opravdu dělá rád. A že to dělá rád hlavně pro Marin. Tahle jejich slow burn romance mě baví, i když bych třeba uvítala i jiné interakce. Ale z anime už vím, že to ještě nějakou dobu potrvá.

Každopádně ani v anime se mi nelíbila úplně ta část o cosplayování Veronicy a celkově vibe tohoto volume mi tak úplně nesednul, takže se spíš těším na to další.


-----------Reakce po dočtení knihy-----------
Tohle byl zatím nejslabší díl.
Profile Image for Genres and Journals *Tia*.
1,303 reviews359 followers
July 30, 2023
These characters are still adorable but if this series continues on in this manner, I can see it getting very repetitive and boring. Hoping that the next volumes offer something new in the storyline…because we truly can’t have 12 volumes of this guy making different costumes for Marin can we??

Anyway, like all the other volumes…I don’t recommend this series. Don’t read it based on my review. K bye.
Profile Image for Jassonn Williams.
83 reviews
June 8, 2021
Waiting on volume 5

Super Kute! Please don't let this be the end of it! The love triangle harem is not done! there's so much more room to grow! The cosplay and cultural tutorials are helpful. The art is well done.
Profile Image for Jadzia.
186 reviews
April 11, 2022
I liked that volume very much and i wasnt bored marin x gojo for life its not gonna change in my mind never
Profile Image for Miss Susan.
2,783 reviews65 followers
December 24, 2022
bro the way i was taking notes this volume. and when i put together a kickass crossplay? what then???

also the bi marin agenda is strong in this volume :D

4 stars
Profile Image for lily k.
18 reviews
March 17, 2023
i love that wakana helped juju’s sister cosplay while she’s just known as the photographer, it was so cute
also marin & wakana need to be together NOW
Profile Image for junie.
17 reviews
April 10, 2026
the art, the story, the characters 😭😭 i absolutely love this story so much
Profile Image for Afifahcookie.
347 reviews27 followers
December 19, 2023
Story & Plot: 4 ⭐
Characters: 5 ⭐
Writing: 4 ⭐
Art: 5 ⭐

We got TWO outfits from Gojo & Marin!

The tension between our two characters was sizzling hot, I doubt they can remain clueless about each others' feelings now.
Profile Image for Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!).
721 reviews329 followers
April 1, 2024
”The cosplay team that started out with a bewildered Wakana and a passionate Marin has itself a new collaborator, the legendary JuJu! As the preparations for Marin and Juju's group cosplay steadily progress to completion, the team gears up for their photoshoot...but before that can get underway, Wakana must let the cat out of the bag about the big secret he's been keeping from the girls; another cosplayer wants in on the action!”
”What did you do with your boobs?! It’s a friggin’ mystery!”

Even though the storyline can get repetitive, I’m finding My Dress Up Darling cute and fun! I love the art style, all the main girls are so cute but especially Marin 🥺 I’m sure it progresses to more as the series goes on, but it does really inspire me to want to start cosplaying. It’s fun to see how they transform their looks into their favourite characters, the author clearly has done their research into all the different steps needed.
Profile Image for Mert.
Author 15 books86 followers
April 7, 2022
4/5 Stars (%75/100)

This was a sweet volume overall. Gojou finishes the costumes for Marin and Juju so that they can cosplay together. It is great to see Gojou enjoy making costumes for people, not only hina dolls. In the future, I want him to continue this craft along with hina dolls as it is his dream. It is also great to see him develop friendships with other people like the Inui sisters. Speaking of them, the sisters are a great addition and the interaction between them and our duo (Gojou and Marin) is super fun.
Profile Image for Sol.
784 reviews21 followers
September 7, 2025
I decided to read this in a public bookstore/cafe and I cannot stress enough how embarrassing this series is to read in public 😭

Everyone’s cosplays look so good!! I’m proud of Shinju for going out of her comfort zone and cosplaying even though she was nervous.
532 reviews13 followers
May 29, 2024
這集對我來說是目前賣肉場景最少的所以就來給高評了😝 然後我閱歷淺薄,真的覺得劇中劇角色很桃矢跟雪兔哈哈😅
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews