REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episodes 1-2

After a three-year hiatus following the first season, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 wastes no time bringing the goofy charm of Marin Kitagawa (Hina Suguta, To be Hero X) and Wakana Gojo (Shoya Ishige, Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance) back. Awkward social situations, cosplay discoveries, and mutual support between the lovable protagonists are all here and better than ever. 

Taking center stage in this opening pair of episodes is the comedy. Uncomfortable moments and cute misunderstandings dot these stories, bringing plenty of laughs as our protagonists continue to grapple with the social situations they find themselves in. 

These moments could easily become overplayed if not for the different directions the narrative takes in approaching both Marin and Gojo. Gojo still struggles with his place in Marin’s world. Should he be there, do others tolerate him for her, and will they think he’s weird when they learn what he does at the museum are all concerns that continue to plague him.

Marin and Gojo continue to be adorably awkward protagonists to watch.

While it has fun with how it plays out Gojo’s moments of insecurity, it never reads like mocking. Rather, it uses its humor to highlight how blown out of proportion Gojo makes it. And from these laughs, we also get some genuine growth for the character, which makes them all the more relevant. 

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 gives equal attention to Marin. Her outgoing nature continues to cause problems for Gojo. Her ambivalence to how her cosplays may affect the young man creates lots of laughs, as the show emphasizes the situation, while never losing sight of the innocence that permeates all that Marin is. 

This innocence also drives the budding romance angle of the series. How the pair fumbles with reading each other is relatable. The struggles they experience trying to express their feelings are grounded and well-executed. The missed opportunities caused by embarrassment and insecurity are painfully sympathetic. 

But even with awkward feelings getting in the way, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 sees its characters power through the worry, never failing to be there when their friend needs them to be. Marin and Gojo know each other well enough at this point to be aware of when they have to step up. Even when it may require breaking a rule now and then, the duo always have each other’s backs. 

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 proves the series still has legs.

The writing hasn’t lost any of its luster since the series last wrapped, and the animation continues to shine. All the hijinks, awkward situations, and heartfelt moments come to life wonderfully within the series thanks to CloverWorks‘s skillful visual implementation. The added roughness to the linework during moments of anxiety effectively enhances the nervousness of the characters. 

The final element that made My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 awesome is some surprising moments of affirmation for queer characters. Acceptance and encouragement shine when these themes are addressed, conveying the message that cosplay should be for everyone. 

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episodes 1-2 welcomes viewers back to its world with a generous helping of everything that made Season 1 a fan favorite. Humor, heart, and positivity reign supreme as Marin and Gojo continue their adventures in cosplay and love. 

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 1 premieres on Crunchyroll July 5 and Episode 2 on July 12, with subsequent episodes continuing to drop on Saturdays. 

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