Amane takes Marin and Gojou to a cosplay store. Later, Gojou watches Marin’s fashion shoot.
Episode 15 — “I Wuuuuv Slice-of-Life Scenes! ♡♡♡”
Hmm.
This My Dress-Up Darling episode is the third in a row that emphasizes two points relevant to Gojou’s character development. The first point is that Gojou is not a creep, nor is his hobby of painting doll faces. And second, he is worthy to be Marin’s boyfriend.
Mirroring is a regular narrative device that uses a different character’s situation to connect to the main story’s development. That could apply to the plot, background story, relationships between characters, or an individual’s character development. My Dress-Up Darling presented Amane’s memories about reconciling his crossdressing cosplay with his identity to advance Gojou’s acceptance that he can have similar hobbies and people will still like him. The parallels are enough for the audience to notice, but they get Gojou only halfway to self-realization. At least he won’t call someone else “creepy” for enjoying offbeat activities.
For My Dress-Up Darling’s second point, that the worthy Gojou is already Marin’s boyfriend, her photo shoot scene was fanservice. We see Marin wearing fashionable clothes, looking glamorous, as an external observer praises her and validates the view that Gojou is her boyfriend. It’s a repeat of Marin’s friends at the Halloween party agreeing that Gojou and Marin should go out already. Even Grandpa Gojou is happy to see his boy going on afternoon excursions with a pretty girl. But is one more stranger’s “mistake” enough to move Gojou’s level of self-esteem? Every little bit helps.
Slice-of-life anime shows are the usual places for the mirroring plot device. The slow flow allows parables, allegories, or fables from an episode to remind us that the human experience stays the same through space and time. My Dress-Up Darling did its best approximation of slice-of-life scenes. Marin would wuuuuv watching this episode!
My Dress-Up Darling Makes Me Go Heh.
Where do you go to find boobs you can equip? A cosplay specialty store! What an education for the rookie cosplayers. A chest plate looks better than trying to use bra pads. Marin learned that at her first cosplay event in her role as Shizuku-tan in My Dress-Up Darling, episode 5. Hahaha! Gojou equipped boobs! Looking good, big guy! Please stop! Gojou’s maiden heart can’t take any more! Stage makeup is new to Gojou. He’s always looking for tips on how to do makeup. Gojou has experience painting girls’ faces who play guys, but what are specific things for the other way around? Amane has techniques for making his eyes bigger and concealing a five o’clock shadow. Gojou is having fun sharing his hobby with others.
Slice-of-Life Wuuuuvs My Dress-Up Darling
Back to the cosplay event. It’s picture time! Uh oh. Marin’s face tape popped off! Amane likes how attentive Gojou is to Marin. Fun! Characters from the same video game want to take pictures with Amane, and Marin is all for it! And the girls don’t mind at all that Amane is a guy playing a girl. In fact, they’re enthusiastic about how he put his cosplay together. These scenes remind Marin of slice-of-life moments in games. She wuuuvs slice-of-life scenes! Even characters from other media titles want to take pictures with Amane.
Here we go. Amane recounts his cosplay origin story. Every cosplayer has one in My Dress-Up Darling. His big sister taught him how to put on makeup and wear wigs. Even his mom liked how well he looked playing feminine characters. Amane’s memories of being a short, slender boy with a cute face include his real name. Cosplaying gave him confidence until the fateful day in college when his girlfriend discovered his closet full of women’s clothes. She accused him of cheating on her and called him “creepy” after he told her about his cosplaying hobby. Gojou can relate (see My Dress-Up Darling, episode 1). So, Amane dumped her! Hahaha!
Aw. Marin felt rage on Amane’s behalf. And Gojou would never call someone who enjoys a hobby so much “creepy.” Apply that feeling to yourself, Gojou-kun. However, Gojou’s face as he looks at hina dolls’ faces is a bit much. Ohoho. Marin and Gojou can’t keep their eyes off Amane’s real face. Ikemen! Amane has delightful memories of meeting them. He hopes they stay together. Me too!
Is My Dress-Up Darling a Serious Fashion Anime?
It’s lunchtime at the Gojou house, but where is Wakana going? His grandpa looks pleased, though, because he knows his grandson has a “friend” now. Oh! That “friend” is working! Marin’s fashion magazine editor let him watch her photo shoot. Marin leaves her red eye contacts out for these pictures. Hah! The editor assumed Gojou was Marin’s boyfriend because amateur models often bring them to shoots so they can go on a date afterward. Here’s your regularly scheduled denial that Gojou is dating Marin from My Dress-Up Darling.
And? What “date” is Gojou going to attend with Marin? A birthday party! But whose? It’s Shizuku-tan’s! Happy Birthday! Only a boyfriend would tolerate having a party for an h-game character. Hug all the hug pillows! Yes, Gojou, this is the same girl who acted so maturely as a fashion model.
Next time, Gojou doesn’t have to take Marin’s measurements. No. No, you must!
My Dress-Up Darling (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru) streams on Crunchyroll in Japanese with multiple language subtitles.
Did you wuv the slice-of-life scenes in this episode? School girls took selfies and discussed makeup and how to equip fake boobs. Wait. That last part is not an everyday occurrence. Or is it? What have you heard? Let us know in the comments below!
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