My Dress-Up Darling

Shinichi Fukuda's manga My Dress-Up Darling, known in Japan as Sono Bisuku Dōru wa Koi o Suru, began serialization in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine in January 2018. The story introduces Wakana Gojo, a quiet high schooler who pours his heart into crafting traditional Hina dolls, a hobby he hides after a childhood friend mocked his interest. His world shifts when Marin Kitagawa, a bubbly and fashion-forward classmate, discovers his sewing skills in the school's unused practice room. Marin, an avid fan of erotic video games, dreams of cosplaying her favorite characters and recruits Gojo to help build her costumes. What starts as a practical partnership grows into a tender bond as Gojo's precise craftsmanship and Marin's infectious energy feed off each other.

The manga dives deep into the artistry of cosplay, from fabric selection to wig styling, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the craft. It balances this with a slow-burn romance and a celebration of pursuing passions without shame. The series concluded in March 2025 with its 115th chapter, wrapping up with a time skip that shows Gojo and Marin married, with Marin thriving as a model and Gojo taking over his grandfather's doll workshop. An epilogue and side story were promised for the final collected volume. [edit]