About “My Dress-Up Darling” in a few words:

My Dress-Up Darling is a popular anime and manga series that follows the lives of two high school students, student council president Marin Kitagawa and a shy otaku named Juko Tsurara. When Juko discovers Marin’s talent for cosplay, he becomes her assistant, and together they create amazing costumes and attend cosplay events. The series is a heartwarming and funny exploration of the world of cosplay and the power of friendship.

Meet the characters from My Dress-Up Darling

Kaoru Gojo

Kaoru is low-key the kind of quiet, hyper-focused person who will measure a seam twice and still claim it was “just to be safe” — and then forget where they put the scissors. Very into details, loves tiny charms and buttons, and has an alarming stash of ribbons (like, suspiciously many), but also will loudly deny being sentimental while crying at an old commercial. Super dependable in a crisis, but also the one who somehow misplaces their phone three times a day; it’s weird and adorable. He’s the sort who speaks softly until something he cares about is on the line, then suddenly becomes a passionate, slightly nerdy captain of feelings.

Shinju Inui

Shinju is the sharp, slightly intimidating type who paints everything with this cool, deadpan precision — you get the sense she’s always two steps ahead and very proud of it. She’s a masterful maker (jewelry, props, vibes) who hoards metallic thread like a dragon hoards treasure, but she also has a guilty pleasure for glitter stickers, which she absolutely will not admit in public. Sarcastic and efficient, but will pause mid-sentence to defend an obscure anime plotline or fix someone’s hem with an eyebrow raised. Honestly, she’s secretly the best at sending late-night pep talks, even if she pretends it’s “just logistics.”

Wakana Gojo

Wakana is the cinnamon-roll-level soft artisan who treats traditional doll-making like sacred math, humming to himself while he stitches and taking perfume breaks that smell suspiciously like old books. Ridiculously patient and precise (the kind of person who can eyeball a 0.7mm seam allowance and be right), he’s awkward around compliments but somehow becomes a different, bolder person when someone says “I believe in your sewing.” He’s very into historical references and also inexplicably collects novelty erasers — both facts can be true, don’t ask how. Shy but courageous in his own heartfelt way, and he will absolutely defend cosplay as high art on social media at 2 a.m.

Sajuna Inui

Sajuna (Jo!) is the fierce, flip-sword cosplayer persona with a stare that could chill soup, but then she’ll smile and reveal five different cute keychains on her bag and you’re like, wait, what? She’s all about precision and presence on stage — moves like she’s choreographing gravity — yet she secretly practices silly poses in the mirror (true story, maybe). Practical and blunt, but also the one who remembers everyone’s birthdays and writes them tiny, slightly dramatic notes. She’s both “don’t mess with me” and “let me braid your hair” depending on her mood, and that chaotic combo is the best part.

Marin Kitagawa

Marin is the bubbly, life-of-the-party cosplayer who will flail and make you feel like the coolest person in the world five seconds after meeting you; she’s caffeine, glitter, and contagious enthusiasm. Obsessed with authenticity (and dramatic wigs), she can judge a fabric by smell and then also eat an entire cake in one sitting — priorities. Fashion-forward and shamelessly extra, but also ridiculously loyal and sweet, the kind of friend who will drag you into a craft store at midnight for “one more trim” and emerge triumphant. She’s chaotic in the best way and can pivot from full-on cosplay critique to giving you a pep talk about hair care like it’s her job.

Nowa Sugaya

Nowa is the quietly supportive best-friend type with an eye for color coordination and the world’s most soothing laugh (seriously, it’s calming — scientific fact). She’s the planner of group cosplays, slightly obsessive about photo angles, and will fix your collar while whispering little compliments; also she collects postcards and sometimes, uh, rearranges them at 3 a.m. She’s shy in big crowds but becomes vivid and fearless in small creative circles, which is when the real magic happens. Slightly forgetful about deadlines but obsessive about snacks, and somehow her backpack is both an organizational miracle and a mystery.