My Dress-Up Darling - Necessary ecchi or unnecessary nudity?

My Dress-Up Darling, by Shinichi Fukuda, is one of the most beloved romance series to come out in recent history. The manga completed serialization in March 2025 with 15 volumes, and season 2 of the anime is scheduled for release in the Summer 2025 season.

While this tale of romance, slice-of-life, and otaku culture is immensely enjoyable and cute, one common debate that has raged on among the fandom is about the series’ excessive use of “ecchi content”. My Dress-Up Darling is often able to depict its nudity in a manner where it seems necessary for its narrative, however, the series can tend to go overboard and prioritize fan service over actual consistency.

The story follows Gojo, a young and introverted doll maker who keeps his hobby a secret for fear of being made fun of. However, his life changes when the beautiful and energetic Marin discovers his talent. Rather than being disgusted, however, she praises Gojo, even seeking his help in pursuing her own passion for cosplaying.

This chance encounter becomes a turning point for both individuals, as they hone their crafts and bring memorable characters from games, anime, and other media to life. As they spend more time together, Gojo and Marin’s relationship gradually begins evolving from a mere partnership to something more.

Fan service in anime has long been divisive—some fans enjoy it, while others view it as cheap entertainment. Though the term “fan service” ideally refers to anything included solely for the enjoyment of fans, over the years, it has been narrowed down to ecchi and risqué visuals.

My Dress-Up Darling is unique in embracing nudity and intimacy as tools to express self-confidence and unapologetic desire, which it conveys effectively most of the time. The main cosplayer, Marin, openly expresses her appreciation for beauty and eroticism.

She openly discusses adult themes and does not hesitate to show off her skin during her projects. Gojo, though initially shy, also grows to appreciate the bravery that is associated with this form of body positivity. Additionally, it would feel unnatural not to show the body when Gojo takes measurements and designs bold costumes, which helps make the story more immersive.

Therefore, unlike most depictions of nudity, My Dress-Up Darling treats its subject matter with respect, not just being a spectacle for the male gaze but presenting sexuality in an informative and empowering way.

My Dress-Up Darling’s biggest strength is also its weakness

As mentioned, My Dress-Up Darling tastefully handles its narrative need for “ecchi” for the most part, but it can also tend to end up tipping over the balance. In a story where nudity appears in nearly every chapter and episode, it’s difficult to maintain focus without catering to viewers seeking fan service.

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As a commercial seinen series, My Dress-Up Darling falls into the common trap of using strategically framed angles, slow pans, and the infamous ‘accidental nudity’ coincidences. It also doesn’t help that most of the cast are only young school students.

Thus, My Dress-Up Darling walks a fine line between necessary narrative utility and attracting fans through over-sexualization. While the ecchi scenes are primarily used to highlight emotional growth, trust, and the complexity of budding attraction between the main characters, they can also indulge in tropes occasionally, sacrificing narrative subtlety.

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