Outside of returning shonen anime such as Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2 and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc, My Dress-Up Darling received the most attention from all of the Winter 2022 releases. Based on Shinichi Fukuda’s beloved manga, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru is a romance that also dives wholeheartedly into cosplay, a topic that precious few anime have explored beyond introducing it as a side character’s passion.
My Dress-up Darling hit its first season out of the park, with CloverWorks delivering animation that compares favorably to just about any other show currently on the air. While the premise of an outcast being “saved” from their loneliness by a popular love interest is cliche, My Dress-up Darling does the trope well by actively establishing a common interest between Wakana Gojou and Marin Kitagawa. Fans should check out these other romance anime like My Dress-up Darling.
My Dress-up Darling has ended, and while fans wait with bated breath for the hopeful announcement of a follow-up season, they can always turn to other shows to get their fill of romance. CloverWorks’ series contains many similarities with other anime, but there are not all that many stories that strike the same chord as Marin and Gojou’s cosplay-themed journey. The Spring 2022 season has its share of anime with romance, including the returning Kaguya-sama: Love is War, so people looking for love have a few things to sink their teeth into. Most of these currently-airing series are not all that comparable to My Dress-Up Darling, but there is one anime worth recommending.
1. Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie
Part of the Spring 2022 anime season, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie received quite a bit of hype prior to its debut, inciting murmurs that it could be the show that fills in the void left by My Dress-Up Darling. First things first, do not approach Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san expecting it to be exactly like Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru as they are quite different types of shows.
While the latter focuses on the build towards a relationship, the former starts with its main couple already together. They both have slice of life elements, but Shikimori is far more slow-paced since its early chapters (and episodes so far) are devoted to just following around the central characters, with little in the way of growth or development.
Still, people who enjoyed the adorable dynamic between Marin and Gojou in My Dress-Up Darling might appreciate Shikimori and Izumi’s sweet relationship in the Spring 2022 series. Doga Kobo’s animation is also vibrant and pretty, matching the somewhat carefree tone of the story.
2. Rascal Doesn’t Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
One of the most popular romance anime series of all time Rascal Doesn’t Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is similar to My Dress-Up Darling.
Sakurajima Mai and Sakuta share an interesting dynamic. Their conversations are never dull and manage to get the viewers hooked to the series.
This series is quite wholesome and the pacing is well-done, given the fact that they introduced a concept called Adolescence Syndrome, which catalyzes some of the relationship development that takes place during the series.
3. Horimiya
One of the biggest reasons why Horimiya is so popular is because of the treatment of the medium and the expertly written characters. The complex emotions that an adolescent feels in high school are extremely hard to emulate, and Horimiya does this beautifully without having characters that are larger than life.
The sheer subtlety with which they display the feelings one goes through is why Horimiya is a must-watch if one likes My Dress-Up Darling.
Most instances in the series are beautifully depicted and done in a manner that is relatable to everyone who might have experienced these feelings in high school.
4. Komi Can’t Communicate
Similar to My Dress-Up Darling’s premise of a high school girl meeting her boy classmate and having a close relationship that brings out the best in each other, Komi Can’t Communicate differentiates itself from how Komi is portrayed in the anime.
Unlike Marin’s proud stature, Komi, one of the most popular and beautiful girls in school, has extreme social anxiety, which makes it difficult for her to communicate. However, Tadano discovers Komi’s circumstances and promises to help her out of them.
This is similar to Marin’s discovery of Gojo’s sewing skills and love for Hina dolls. While Marin manages to pull Gojo from his shell and break his walls, Tadano helps Komi in her every day struggles at school.
Both of the anime has a lot of funny moments that will be a pleasant experience for the viewers. The shows also have tons of funny misunderstandings that will make you laugh. Not to mention the facial expressions, which make both of these shows decent watches.
5. Smile Down the Runway
While My Dress-Up Darling’s premise pretty much tackles Marin’s love for cosplay and Gojo’s passion for Hina Dolls, the anime Smile Down the Runway also revolves around pursuing one’s dream in the world of the fashion runway.
Smile Down The Runway follows the stories of Fujito Chiyuki, who dreams of becoming a Paris fashion model, and Tsumura Ikuto, who wants to become a successful fashion designer.
Like My Dress-Up Darling, the anime is also fast-paced and engaging. Both of these shows are also natural and don’t feel forced. No matter how predictable the moments are in both of these shows, every scene always delivers and resonates with the viewers.
6. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU strikes a distinct tone to My Dress-up Darling since it takes a more philosophical approach to its characters, particularly in its final season. However, the two shows share a few things in common. Hachiman and Wakana’s loner statuses stem from negative past experiences and are largely self-imposed, although the years of isolation have shaped the characters quite differently.
Both anime revolve around students coming together over a common cause, be it cosplay in My Dress-up Darling or the Volunteer Service Club in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. More importantly, these anime take generic romance tropes and make them feel fresh, albeit in quite different ways. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU’s later seasons dive deep into their characters’ personalities, delivering introspective analysis of their anxieties, fears, and dreams.
7. Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro
A timid introverted high schooler gets constantly teased by a girl he just met. While this teasing might seem like torture at first, she actually has a crush on him!
In both shows, there is a weak, introverted male protagonist and a gal girl who brings him out of his shell. There is obviously also romantic development.
8. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Since My Dress-Up Darling tackles the elements of otaku culture, especially Marin and Juju’s love for cosplaying, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku complements the anime with its otaku references and candid scenes.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard is a hit romance, slice-of-life, comedy, and josei anime about Hirotaka Nifouji, a gaming otaku, and Momose Narumi, a closet fujoshi.
While My Dress-Up Darling takes on a high school romance between two unlikely individuals, Wotakoi is more mature in its attack on some of its plot narratives since the anime is set up in the workplace.
However, there were a lot of scenes in Wotakoi that will make you realize that it is also possible to reenact the interactions of Narumi and Hirotaka in a high school setting.
9. ReLIFE
ReLIFE revolves around an experiment that de-ages people so they can get a second chance at high school. The project’s goal is to rehabilitate people who have become outcasts, to provide them with a chance to grow so they can eventually contribute to society as adults.
ReLIFE is initially a slice of life that explores Arata Kaizaki’s struggles to reintegrate into school, both academically and socially. While romance is not a significant factor, the anime does explore this avenue in its final few episodes and the ReLIFE: Kanketsu-hen special series.
10. Toradora!
While the main character might not be like Marin, the series will definitely grow on the viewer as the series progresses. Those who enjoy My Dress-Up Darling should definitely try out Toradora.
This anime is set in high school and focuses on the development between Taiga and Ryuuji.
The main reason why people watch this series is the way Taiga’s character develops during the course of the show. My Dress-Up Darling fans should give this series a shot.