My Dress-Up Darling - Characters & Cast

Initially, his sole motivation is to become a master Hina doll craftsman like his grandfather. After meeting Marin, his motivation expands to include making her cosplay dreams a reality. He is driven by a powerful desire to see her happy and to create the most perfect costume possible, pouring all of his dedication and skill into each project.

In Season 1, Wakana begins as a reclusive and gentle giant, haunted by a past rejection that made him hide his passion for Hina dolls. His world is small and centered entirely on his craft. Meeting Marin acts as a catalyst for immense growth. Through the process of making cosplay, he is forced into social situations, learns to share his talent, and for the first time, makes a friend who values him for who he is. By the end of the season, he is more confident, has found a new application for his skills, and has begun to open up to the world, though he remains endearingly shy and oblivious to Marin's romantic feelings.

Marin's primary motivation is to express her love for her favorite characters through cosplay. She is driven by pure, unadulterated passion for her hobbies. As the series progresses, an equally strong motivation emerges: to spend time with Wakana and make him happy, as she finds herself falling in love with his sincere and dedicated nature.

Marin starts the series as a seemingly one-dimensional 'gyaru'—popular, beautiful, and energetic. However, her character is quickly revealed to be deeply passionate, kind, and completely non-judgmental. Her arc in the first season is one of deepening emotions. While she remains her cheerful, outgoing self, her interactions with Wakana lead her to discover a profound respect and eventually romantic love for him. She moves from simply needing his skills to genuinely cherishing his company and character. Her confession to a sleeping Wakana in the final episode marks the culmination of this emotional journey.

JuJu is motivated by the desire to perfectly embody the characters she cosplays. She has a strong artistic vision and seeks to create high-quality, impactful photoshoots. Her dedication is a source of inspiration for both Marin and Wakana.

JuJu is introduced as a famous and highly dedicated cosplayer whom Marin idolizes. Initially, she appears aloof and intensely serious about her craft, acting as a professional benchmark for Wakana and Marin. Her arc involves revealing the person behind the persona. We learn about her close relationship with her younger sister, Shinju, and see her open up to the idea of group cosplay, eventually respecting Wakana's skill and Marin's enthusiasm. She helps broaden their understanding of the cosplay world.

Shinju is motivated by her deep admiration and love for her older sister. She dedicates herself to being the best photographer she can be to support JuJu's cosplay. Her secret motivation is her own dream of participating directly in the hobby she loves watching so much.

Shinju is JuJu's shy, unassuming younger sister and photographer. Despite her introverted nature and insecurities about her height and figure, she harbors her own desire to cosplay. Her arc is about finding the courage to step out from behind the camera and try cosplaying herself. With Wakana's encouragement and help, she cosplays a male character, a transformative moment that boosts her self-confidence and allows her to share in her sister's hobby in a new way.