Sajuna reluctantly joins a group cosplay, while Gojou’s sleepover supplies concern Marin.
Episode 21 — “Because I Don’t Intend to Sleep Tonight”
Hmm.
Every story in the horror genre has its own terrifying boogeyman. In Stephen King’s IT, the monster who lived below a Maine city took the form of a creepy clown. The unstoppable terror in Friday the 13th wore a hockey mask. And the enigmatic, cruel gameshow host of Danganronpa was a teddy bear with an equally creepy smile. My Dress-Up Darling’s current cosplay story arc resolves around a horror visual novel starring nuns. It’s a mystery game to solve who makes the sisters disappear. But what would be the boogeyman in this ecchi slice-of-life romantic comedy if it were a horror story? This episode showed us it has two!
The Two Boogeymen of My Dress-Up Darling
What is the scariest thing in My Dress-Up Darling? A disappointed little sister. Shinju’s sadness over Sajuna not cosplaying as a nun from her favorite horror visual novel had a significant impact. Juju, the cosplayer, has a particular set of rules: she only plays magical girls and always cosplays solo. That changed last season after she couldn’t refuse wearing a suit Gojou would make for her and had to tolerate posing with Marin. Sajuna hides her crippling social anxiety about meeting new people behind these rules. If Gojou didn’t make the nun’s habits, she wouldn’t participate. But! Coffin is Shinju’s favorite horror game. The little sister’s disappointed face blasted through all of Sajuna’s rationales for rejecting Marin’s invitation. So scary!
How could a fluffy comedy about a gyaru drawing an isolated doll-face painter out of his shell have two boogeymen? Let me tell you about My Dress-Up Darling and how it toes the first step up the stairs to adulthood. Sex. The two main characters are horny teenagers! There’s always an element of danger about dressing up a doll and taking its clothes off again, especially when your dress-up doll is a living, breathing girl with ample underboob.
How does sex manifest in this episode? Choosing an energy drink. Yes, ridiculous. This comedic anime invites unexpected connections. Marin thought Gojou bought a “male stamina” drink instead of one filled with caffeine and taurine. She’ll spend a nervous night expecting virile “inappropriateness” to knock on her bedroom door. Another misunderstanding, I’m sure, for My Dress-Up Darling. We can hardly blame her because she and Gojou had already spent an hour at a love hotel grinding moist, swollen adult parts together. Now, he’s hopped up on dried lizard and tiger blood while spending the night alone together. Sex is scary!
Why So Serious, Akira?
Here’s one more thing: Akira’s aversion to Marin will be a moment of character development for her and Gojou. Her dislike will also touch on the different paths cosplay and anime fans take to these hobbies. My Dress-Up Darling left the scene of the heavy conversation between Akira, Amane, and Gojou before her explanation, so I expect to see a flashback during an intense scene during the group cosplay. Akira explained to Amane that she doesn’t have to hide her books, merchandise, and activities from her family after she moved out. I predict an issue of resentment and assumptions about Marin’s carefree and effusive character. However, you never know what My Dress-Up Darling will reveal. It does like pulling the rug out from a viewer’s expectations to make an emotional point through a soft joke. I look to Akira’s dramatic moment with anticipation.
My Dress-Up Darling Makes Me Go Heh.
Sajuna does not want to take Marin’s call. Suzuka and Miyako can’t believe Marin can dial up Juju-sama! Sajuna is aware of Coffin because Shinju is a fan of the horror genre. She’d only do something if Gojou made Marin’s costume, so no to any group cosplay. Rejected! Uh oh. Shinju wants her big sister to do the Coffin group cosplay! But Sajuna only does magical girls, and Gojou wouldn’t be making the costumes, and… Sajuna can’t refuse her little sister’s wishes! Quick, call back Marin!
A Little Sister’s Smile Is All Sajuna Needs
Sajuna and Shinju must have been close by. They joined the after-party! Suzuka’s cosplayer friends can hardly believe they’re in the presence of cosplay royalty. Marin and Shinju share happiness. Amane is observant and notices Akira’s reactions to Marin. My Dress-Up Darling S2, episode 20, showed her puzzling emotional response to Marin rushing to meet Gojou. Will we find out why in this episode?
Oho. Suzuka and friends learned that Shinju was Juju-sama’s exclusive photographer. She loves her big sister! Ha! Shinju can play the main character for the Coffin cosplay! The cosplayers in My Dress-Up Darling move quickly. The girls and one guy chose the seven roles for the group cosplay. Gojou will make the props. Oh? Suzuka wants to hear Gojou’s opinions about the game after he plays it. Did she work on it in some capacity?
Bathroom and smoke break. Fun! Shinju, Suzuka, and Miyako heard about Marin’s adventure cosplaying as Rei during her school’s beauty pageant. Bad news for Suzuka and Miyako: no pictures of Marin’s cosplay! Um, is Amane hitting on Akira? He doesn’t even smoke! Ah. He asked Akira why she didn’t like Marin. Uh oh. Gojou overheard that Akira hates Marin! Awkward. Ack. My Dress-Up Darling will leave us hanging about Akira’s feelings until a more dramatic moment to reveal her motivation. Sajuna worries she can’t handle dealing with strangers, but she only needs to see her little sister’s radiant smile.
The Games Begin in My Dress-Up Darling
Yay! Gojou again visits Marin’s apartment. Will it take him seven hours to complete the Coffin game? I thought Marin didn’t like horror movies, so how did she get through this horror game? She has a PlayStation 5. Oh. Marin claims the art style was cute, so she was fine. Hoho. My Dress-Up Darling set up a sleepover scenario. Grandpa Gojou stays at his niece’s house on the weekends. So, Gojou would be home alone. He can stay late tonight! Wanna spend the night? Joking! Not really, though.
Look at these 16-bit graphics from this game. Here are the six nuns. When does the murder and mayhem start? Marin already bought her costume! It’s late already, so it’s time for Gojou to go home. Uh oh. An accident shut down the trains. Gojou can’t go home! It’s not a joke anymore: Spend the night, Gojou! He can sleep in Marin’s dad’s bed. No big deal. They’ll need to buy a change of underwear and other things for Gojou, though.
My Dress-Up Darling Can Go All Night Long!
Late-night shopping as if they already live together! It’s already Christmas season. Gojou wears Hanes… Hold on. Gojou has never drunk an energy drink! Monster for a horror game, why not? Oh, and if Gojou doesn’t fall asleep, he won’t be sleeping over! Poor logic there, Gojou. It’s not sleeping that will get you in trouble, but what you guys do while you’re still awake. But which is the most effective energy drink? I sense trouble and misunderstandings brewing in My Dress-Up Darling.
Marin has relationship goals on her mind. Oh no. What is Gojou buying in the “adult” section? Gojou needs energy and alertness, not “stamina.” Gojou “doesn’t intend to sleep tonight.” Is it time to climb the stairs to adulthood, Marin? She remembers how she felt after that “inappropriate” moment in the love hotel. What are they “doing” tonight? Cliffhanger!
Next time, someone does all of something right now!
My Dress-Up Darling (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru) streams on Crunchyroll in Japanese with multiple language subtitles.
Do you agree with Gojou’s logic? It’s not a sleepover if there’s no sleeping! But how should Marin keep him aroused and awake? Let us know your best suggestions in the comments below!
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