The wait is almost over, My Dress-Up Darling fans! Get ready to dive back into the heartwarming and hilarious world of Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa as My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 is set to premiere in July 2025. After the successful debut of the first season in Winter 2022, the series garnered a massive following thanks to its unique take on the romance genre, its focus on character’s personal growth and the exploration of niche interests like cosplay.
What to Expect in Season 2?
Season 2 of My Dress-Up Darling promises to deliver more of what fans loved in the first season such as:
- Charming Romance: The anime is set to further explore the lovable romance between Wakana and Marin, who inspire each other while growing closer.
- Cosplay Culture: The series will continue to highlight the intricacies and passion behind cosplay creation, keeping it central to the events while following the growth of Wakana and Marin.
- Personal Growth: The anime captures the difficulties faced by young people pursuing creative careers.
- New characters: Season 2 is expected to introduce new characters and expand the world of My Dress-Up Darling.
The official synopsis for Season 2 reads: “When Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo met, they grew close over their love for cosplay. Through interacting with classmates and making new cosplay friends, Marin and Wakana’s world keeps growing. New developments arise as Marin’s love for Wakana continues to be filled with endless excitement. In their ever-expanding world, Marin and Wakana’s story of cosplay and thrills continues!”
Potential Story Arcs
Season 2 of My Dress-Up Darling is expected to adapt chapters 40 through 80 of Shinichi Fukuda’s manga, continuing directly after the events of Season 1. This upcoming season will likely span five major arcs—each bringing new challenges, emotional layers, and creative opportunities for the pair such as:
- School Festival Arc
- Gojo taking care of a sick Marin
Fans are also hopeful to see Gojo’s childhood friend who traumatized him make an appearance.
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll has announced that they will be exclusively streaming My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 as part of their Summer 2025 lineup.
A Quick Look Back: Season 1 Recap
In case you need a refresher, here’s a recap of what made the first season so special:
The Story Begins
Wakana Gojo, a high school student, dreams of becoming a master craftsman of traditional Japanese Hina dolls, just like his grandfather. However, a childhood incident where a friend ridiculed his passion left him socially isolated and insecure. He spends his days in the home economics room at school, finding solace in sewing doll clothes.
Enter Marin Kitagawa, a popular, outgoing, and confident girl who is everything Gojo is not. One day, Marin discovers Gojo’s sewing skills and ropes him into her world of cosplay. Marin, being a free spirit, isn’t afraid to show her passion for cosplay and doesn’t care what others think of her. She admires Gojo’s skills and asks him to help her create cosplay costumes because she isn’t good at sewing.
An Unlikely Partnership
Despite their different personalities and social circles, Gojo and Marin find common ground in their shared passion for creation. As they work together on various cosplay projects, they begin to form a close bond.
Key Moments and Character Development
- Gojo’s Growth: Marin helps Gojo come out of his shell and embrace his passion without fear of judgment. He starts to gain confidence in his abilities and himself.
- Marin’s Inspiration: Gojo’s dedication and earnestness inspire Marin. She learns from his focus and attention to detail.
- Cosplay Challenges: The duo faces numerous challenges, from sourcing materials to mastering intricate designs and meeting deadlines. These challenges test their skills and strengthen their bond.
- Supporting Characters: The introduction of other cosplayers, like the Inui sisters (Sajuna and Shinju), adds depth to the story and explores different aspects of the cosplay community.
- Romantic Undertones: As they spend more time together, romantic feelings begin to develop between Gojo and Marin, leading to sweet and heartwarming moments.
Memorable Episodes
- The Love Hotel Incident: Marin books a “cheap studio” for a photoshoot, only to realize it’s a love hotel. The episode is filled with comedic moments as Gojo, an awkward bundle of nerves, tries to navigate the situation.
- Flower Princess Blaze: Gojo and Marin watch a magical girl anime together for cosplay research, leading to some cozy and intimate moments.
- The Inui Sisters: Gojo helps the Inui sisters with their cosplay, further expanding his and Marin’s world and deepening their understanding of cosplay.
The Ending
In the final episode of season 1, Marin expresses her feelings for Gojo while he’s half-asleep on a video call. It remains unclear whether Gojo fully understood her confession, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of their love story in Season 2.
Meet the Characters
- Wakana Gojo: Voiced by Shoya Ishige (Japanese) and Paul Dateh (English), Gojo is a quiet and introverted high school student who dreams of becoming a hina doll craftsman. His past trauma makes him hesitant to share his passion with others.
- Marin Kitagawa: Voiced by Hina Suguta (Japanese) and AmaLee (English), Marin is a popular and outgoing girl with a passion for cosplay. She is unafraid to express herself and encourages Gojo to do the same.
- Sajuna Inui: Voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki (Japanese). A popular cosplayer also known as Juju.
- Shinju Inui: Voiced by Hina Youmiya (Japanese). Sajuna’s sister and a photographer.
- Kaoru Gojo: Voiced by Atsushi Ono (Japanese). Wakana’s grandfather who raises him and is a traditional Japanese Hina doll craftsman.
The Creative Minds
My Dress-Up Darling is based on the manga by Shinichi Fukuda, which began serialization in Square Enix’s Young Gangan in January 2018. The anime adaptation is directed by Keisuke Shinohara at studio CloverWorks. The series composition is by Yoriko Tomita, character designs by Kazumasa Ishida, and music by Takeshi Nakatsuka.
Why We’re Excited
My Dress-Up Darling stands out in the rom-com genre due to its heartfelt portrayal of niche interests, its emphasis on character growth, and its celebration of the cosplay community. The series beautifully captures the joy of finding someone who shares your passions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. The dynamic between Gojo and Marin is both heartwarming and hilarious, making for an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience.
With its charming characters, engaging storyline, and stunning animation, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 is poised to be one of the standout anime of 2025. Get ready to mark your calendars and dive back into the world of cosplay and romance this July!
