Careful! There Are More Quirky Anime Ahead!
My Dress-Up Darling is a romantic slice-of-life anime with enough hilarity to warm the hearts of the coldest individuals. This anime follows a doll maker named Wakana Gojou, who aims to reach his grandfather’s dollmaking expertise. He’s not the most open about his hobby since he fears he’ll be bullied.
That all changes when he meets the popular girl Marin Kitagawa, who requests Gojou to make her cosplay. The anime follows these two distinct characters and the romance that builds up between them.
If you’re having trouble finding anime similar to My Dress Up Darling, fear not!
We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as My Dress Up Darling.
For your reading pleasure, we have included the similarities they all share.
Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming My Dress Up Darling!
Smile Down The Runway
Similarities – Characters & Comedy
Smile Down The Runway is a great alternative to those looking for the same hilarious situations Marin and Wakana were a part of in My Dress-Up Darling. At the same time, Smile Down The Runway features protagonists with superb chemistry and both anime have an engaging art style.
Smile Down The Runway has a tighter focus on modeling as opposed to cosplay, though. However, both series feature a strong love for fashion and even bowed a similar premise. The main characters in both anime also have strikingly similar personalities that’ll leave an impact on their viewers.
Smile Down The Runway follows Chiyuki Fujito, whose struggling to become a successful runway model because of her short height. However, she’ll later meet a high schooler named Ikuto Tsumura. He lacks the resources necessary to pursue his dreams of becoming a famed fashion designer. With flames of motivation surging through them, the two plan to carve their own paths in the fashion industry.
Horimiya
Similarities – Romantic Comedy
If you enjoyed following the romance between a pair of unlikely love birds, then Horimiya promises to deliver a similar experience. Horimiya has an intriguing storyline, strong character dynamics, and many wholesome scenes that’ll pick at your heartstrings. The anime is paced well and takes its time to gradually build upon the relationship between its male and female lead characters.
The pacing in Horimiya is a bit faster than in My Dress-Up Darling, though. At the same time, the anime doesn’t feature any fan-service-like elements. It opts for stronger character development and a tale that’ll implant a wonderful memory in fans’ minds. Horimiya’s animation also is a step-above My Dress-Up Darling and features more wholesome scenes that’ll leave fans feeling comfortable.
Horimiya follows the meeting between two unlikely friends named Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. During said meeting, they both reveal a hidden part of themselves. Although Hori’s a popular girl, she’s a workaholic.
As for Izumi, despite being a meek individual, he bares tattoos and lives a more rambunctious lifestyle behind the scenes. This encounter helps Hori and Miyamura establish a tighter connection that quickly blossoms into something more as the anime progresses.
Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro
Similarities – Energetic Female Lead
Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagataro, and My Dress-Up Darling set the online world by storm during their releases. Both anime feature raunchy humor, goofy characters, and a knack for fashion. Fans can expect an insane amount of fan service in both anime. The female lead characters also establish charming chemistry with their male counterparts in ways that may be overwhelming or downright hilarious.
Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagataro follows the daily life of Naoto Hachiouji. He’s constantly teased by a girl named Hayase Nagatoro, who he briefly encountered in the library one day. Despite her relentless antics feeling bothersome, he slowly forms a strange friendship with her. Although she’ll continuously find ways to toy with him, Naoto learns that life’s become a lot better with her around.
While her antics teeter toward harassment at times, the anime features Nagataro and Naoto in situations that feel more wholesome and genuine. Like My Dress-Up Darling, the growing relationship between the two characters is what drives the story forward. If one can overlook the things Marin does to get Wakana’s attention in My Dress-Up Darling, then Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagataro should provide a good time.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Similarities – Tone & Themes
Imagine Marin and Wakana as adults, and you’d basically understand the whole dynamic between the protagonists in Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku. This anime is another romantic comedy that hones down on the relationship between individuals who obsess over their hobbies. Both series feature relationships that start out business-like but grow into something more wholesome.
At the same time, the characters in the said relationship will encounter new people, each spanning weird quirks and traits. Considering Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku features an adult-oriented cast, it feels more mature in tone. However, it tackles similar themes like love and obsession.
Those that weren’t a fan of the fan service in My Dress-Up Darling may be pleased to know that Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku doesn’t cater to that audience. More time is devoted to the characters in Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, allowing them to feel more fleshed-out and rounded.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku follows Narumi Momose, who’s excited about her first day of work at a new office. However, she promises herself that she won’t let anyone know that she’s a hardcore gamer at home. This all crumbles before her when she meets her old friend Hirotaka Nifuji. She desperately tries to keep him from ratting her out, but that plan fails when two of her new co-workers overhear her conversation with Nifuji.
Eventually, Nifuji and Narumi discuss what they’ve been up to since they last met. The idea of dating comes into the fray after Narumi tells Nifuji about a terrible breakup she endured. Hearing about Narumi’s struggle to find her significant other gives Nifuji an idea. He proposes that Narumi should date him, and he promises her that he’d always be there for her. Narumi accepts Nifuji’s offer. The anime follows the dorky romance that grows between them.
Real Girl
Similarities – Story & Comedy
Real Girl follows an awkward boy named Hikari Tsutsui, who immerses himself in video games and anime as a means to make his life feel more joyful and exciting. Despite being ridiculed by his classmates, he’s not alone in this regard. His friend Yuuto Itou also shares the misery stage with him.
One day, Tsutsui ends up arriving late to class and gets punished for it. He’s forced to clean the school pool, but something marvelous happens. Tsutsui meets Iroha Igarashi, a girl whose rumored to have gotten into some raunchy trouble with some boys in their class.
This provokes Tsutsui from conversing with her, as he doesn’t want to give his classmates more ammo. Therefore, the anime follows the lives of these two characters and the romance that blossoms between the two. Like My Dress-Up Darling, Real Girl focuses on the socially awkward relationship between two unlikely lovers.
Although the roles in the anime are reversed in Real Girl, the characters display the same awkward and raunchy personalities as Marin and Wakana. Furthermore, this anime has a lot of fan service, comedy, and romantic subplots to keep fans invested. If you’re looking for a show with characters that have similar personalities to that of Wakana and Marin, then check out Real Girl.
Komi Can’t Communicate
Similarities – Friendship & Romance
Komi Can’t Communicate is about a boy named Hitohito Tadano, who wants his first day of high school to go off without any issues. However, he makes a fatal mistake by sitting next to the school’s popular girl, Shouko Komi. Despite her notoriety, Komi suffers from a communication disorder that prevents her from communicating with others. No one besides herself knows this.
While alone with Tadano, Komi decides to interact with him by writing on the blackboard. This somehow gets Tadano to recognize that she can’t communicate normally. He responds back to her by writing on the board. During their writing discussion, he learns that Komi’s goal is to make one-hundred friends while in high school. Therefore, the anime follows the partnership between Tadano and Komi as he helps her achieve her wish.
Unlike My Dress-Up Darling, Komi Can’t Communicate feels more wholesome. The bond between Tadano and Komi doesn’t exhibit any uncomfortable atmosphere. Komi isn’t as energetic as Marin either, meaning fans may not feel too overwhelmed by her personality. The series also tackles health disorders and other poignant topics that make it feel more complex than it should.
On the other hand, both anime do delve into romance. You’ll see Tadano and Komi’s friendship gradually develop into a romantic relationship over time. It never feels rushed, as the anime’s pacing helps it to naturally grow. Furthermore, the series does feature some comedic moments between the characters. It’s not as over-the-top as the humor you’d find in My Dress-Up Darling, but there’s a decent amount.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Similarities – Romance
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You is a romance anime with a well-written plot, likable characters, and an amazing soundtrack. Its story is one of self-discovery regarding love and friendship. It places its characters in realistic situations and they end up walking away having learned something. Kimi ni Todoke is an anime that’ll move you, and it isn’t afraid to tamper with your emotions.
Like My Dress-Up Darling, it follows the same format of having unlikely people meet and fall in love. The relationship between these characters gradually develops over time. Kimi ni Todoke does suffer from slow pacing, though. However, it paces itself this way to avoid having a rushed product. The animation and art style in Kimi ni Todoke are smooth, pleasing, and inviting. Its soundtrack is also soothing to the ear.
Kimi ni Todoke follows Sawako Kuronuma, who suffers ridicule from her peers because she looks like the character Sadako from The Ring franchise. Deep down she’s a sweet, kind, and timid individual who wants to make friends and live a peaceful life.
One day, she meets a boy named Shouta Kazahaya, who happens to be the most popular guy in her class. She’s always looked up to Shouta and wanted to imitate his brave behavior in life. That’s why when she’s offered a chance to showcase her courageous attitude, Sawako doesn’t fold. Along the way, she’ll meet new people and gain newfound emotions for everyone, especially Kazehaya. Little does she know that he’s also developing feelings for her.
My Love Story!!
Similarities –Romantic Comedy
My Love Story is a heartwarming romantic comedy anime. It features a colorful cast of charming characters, well-executed comedy, and many wholesome moments. Unlike My Dress-Up Darling, none of the characters harbor energetic or over-the-top personalities. Everyone feels calm and collected, making it a series that’s best enjoyed with your brain shut off.
This anime follows Takeo Gouda, a muscular and tall high school freshman with a huge heart. However, in the eyes of some students, he looks like an intimidating giant. His giant stature also doesn’t bode well for his love life, as girls don’t want anything to do with him. His charming best friend Makoto Sunakawa also serves as a detriment in his quest for love.
Makoto constantly gets every girl who lays on him because of his extraordinary looks, including those Takeo had an interest in. One day, Takeo saves a girl named Rinko Yamato from being molested. Upon making eye contact with Rinko, Takeo develops feelings for her. Although he wants to make a move on her, he doesn’t because he assumes she’s interested in Makoto. Therefore, the story follows Takeo’s quest to help Rinko muster the courage to ask Makoto out. Unbeknownst to Takeo, he’s not the guy Rinko’s interested in.
Like My Dress-Up Darling, My Love Story is another tale where two unlikely personalities clash and fall for one another. While this anime does include salacious themes, it doesn’t present too many lewd-like scenarios. This means that you should get into My Love Story expecting fan service or any gags related to said ideas. Instead, it’s best to go into this anime expecting top-notch dialogue between its cast and humor the whole family can enjoy.
My Teen Romantic Comedy: SNAFU
Similarities – School-Life & Comedy
My Teen Romantic Comedy: Snafu is a fascinating anime. It features impassive writing, charming characters, and emotional moments that’ll leave you feeling upset and flustered. Like My Dress-Up Darling, the anime also has its fair share of hilarious moments. Both anime also revolve around school and examines their characters’ lives outside of it.
While My Teen Romantic Comedy: Snafu chooses to be funny, it does delve into realistic scenarios regarding rejection. The characters respond and deal with rejection realistically in the anime. The audience will notice this a ton throughout the anime, as many may find the characters’ responsive methods relatable. Nevertheless, My Teen Romantic Comedy: Snafu offers a compelling romantic storyline that’s sure to win the hearts of many fans of the genre.
My Teen Romantic Comedy: Snafu follows Hachiman Hikigaya, a narcissistic teenager who doesn’t live the best of lives. This behavior of his gets him thrown into a Volunteer Service Club. This club’s goal is to help students in need of support toward their goals. Unfortunately, he’ll be stuck doing most of the work in this club.
This is because the only other club member is Yukino Yukinoshita, who doesn’t tend to do much work in the club. To ease each other’s sorrow, the two must work together to solve many students’ problems. As they do so, Hachiman and Yukino start to develop feelings that they never knew they had.
Genshiken
Similarities – Characters & Hobbies
Genshiken is a wholesome slice-of-life anime. It offers likable characters who are passionate about their hobbies. These hobbies are within the same ballpark as Wakana and Marin’s favorite activities. Like Marin, Genshiken features a protagonist that loves to dabble in cosplay. This main character also ends up dating the person responsible for sewing her cosplays together.
As you can tell, Genshiken offers strikingly similar characters. The comedy also hits the same wavelength as the gags and shenanigans Marin and Wakana end up in. Both anime offer clear depictions of Otaku culture and its hold over people. This is shown through the characters’ passionate dialog and reactions.
Genshiken follows a college introvert named, Kanji Sasahara and his quest to find friends. One day, Sasahara discovers a club named Genshiken. The Genshiken’s club goal is to spread the positivity behind otaku culture. Although he has a terrible run-in with a bully, a Genshiken Club member named Makoto Kousaka, welcomes him with open arms.
Makoto’s welcoming persona gives Sasahara the courage to join the club and spread his love for all things Otaku-oriented. During his introduction, he meets other club members and learns about their passions and desires. Therefore, the anime follows the adventures of each Genshiken club member and Sasahara’s growth into becoming a more courageous and proud individual.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with My Dress Up Darling!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!