My Dress-Up Darling

My Dress-Up Darling (original title: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru) is a sweet, feel-good romantic comedy anime (with one season aired in 2022, produced by CloverWorks).

The story follows Wakana Gojo, a shy, introverted high school student who's passionate about crafting traditional Japanese hina dolls (he aspires to become a master doll-maker like his grandfather). Due to past trauma from being judged for his "unmanly" hobby, he keeps it hidden and lives as a loner.

Enter Marin Kitagawa, his cheerful, outgoing, super-popular classmate who's the epitome of a gyaru (glamorous gal style). She's a huge otaku at heart—obsessed with anime, manga, and especially cosplay. When she accidentally discovers Gojo's incredible sewing and crafting skills, she enthusiastically recruits him to help make her dream cosplay outfits.

What starts as a practical partnership (him making detailed costumes, her modeling them) blossoms into a wholesome friendship, mutual encouragement, and slow-burn romantic tension as the two opposites bond over their shared love of creation and fandom. The series highlights themes of pursuing passions without shame, self-acceptance, and the joy of collaborating on creative projects.

It's lighthearted, funny, and heartwarming with great character animation (especially the cosplay details), some ecchi moments (typical of the genre, but not extreme), and zero heavy drama. Perfect if you like rom-coms with cute character dynamics and a focus on hobbies like cosplay!