The manga finally came to an end after 115 chapters.
After seven years of serialisation and 115 chapters, Shinichi Fukuda’s popular romcom manga My Dress-Up Darling has finally come to an end. The 115th and final chapter was published on 21 March, 2025, and showed that Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo have taken a very important step in their relationship. It was heartwarming to see that Marin is now a famous model and Gojo is also a renowned Hina doll maker. Along with fans, the anime adaptation's staff and cast also left their comments for Fukuda and her masterpiece.
My Dress-up Darling anime staff and cast give their regards to Fukuda
Although the manga has come to an end, the anime still has a ways away to go. It was previously announced that My Dress-Up Darling season 2 is already in production and will broadcast sometime in 2025. All the anime’s staff and cast members, from the director to the voice actors, have shared their feelings about the manga ending on the official website of the anime. Everyone has also promised to do their best to bring Marin and Gojo’s beautiful story to life on screen.
The director Keisuke Shinohara said, “It's a shame that we won't be able to see the rest of Gojo-kun and Marin-chan's story, but I'll make sure to send them off properly.” He thanked Fukuda for all the hard work and promised to make sure her work gets justice on screen.
The series composer and scripwriter Yoriko Tomita said, “Every time I read "Kise Koi", I am encouraged by Marin enjoying the things she loves, and by cheering on Wakana as he struggles to make clothes.” The scriptwriter also shared their favourite part of the series, which was an expression Marin made in page 64 of volume 2.
Image: Kazumasa Ishida
Character designer and chief animation director of the series, Kazumasa Ishida shared an illustration of Marin and Wakana to celebrate the occasion.
Image: CloverWorks
Hina Suguta (voice actor of Marin Kitagawa) shared, “As children, we love things with all our hearts, but as we grow up, that passion often gets left behind. My Dress-Up Darling reminded me how important it is to cherish the things we love sincerely. And Marin-chan taught me that it’s okay to express all those feelings of love honestly and openly.” She is heartbroken over the manga ending, but promises to do her best to portray Marin in the upcoming season.
Image: CloverWorks
Shoya Ishige (voice actor of Wakana Gojo) said, “For me, My Dress-Up Darling is not just a story that makes me happy when I read it, but it's also something that helps me when I'm in a difficult situation or I feel like I'm about to give up. It gives me the courage to move forward without forgetting what I should value.” He thanked Fukuda for creating such a magnificent series.
Image: CloverWorks
Atsumi Tanezaki (voice actor of Sajuna Inui) shared, “While reading My Dress-Up Darling, Marin and the others' passion and openness of the things they love is dazzling, beautiful, and it feels like being showered with sparkles.” Although she is sad that the manga is ending, she’s excited about season 2 and being able to enjoy the story more.
Image: CloverWorks
Hina Yōmiya (voice actor of Shinju Inui) said, “Thank you so much, Fukuda-sensei, for letting me be involved in the My Dress-Up Darling anime.” She shared how this role was the first one she passed after auditioning and how happy she is to share so many firsts with the character.
Image: CloverWorks
Atsushi Ono (voice actor of Kaoru Gojo) said, “We are currently breathing life into the anime Season 2 with all our hearts. Please look forward to it!” He also said how hard Fukuda has worked for the past seven years to make such a beautiful story and asked her to rest for a while now.
Mikko from Spica Spica, the artist behind season 1’s opening theme said, “Congratulations to Fukuda Shinichi on completing "Kise Koi". And thank you so much for all your hard work.It was the first time in my life that I laughed and cried so much while reading a manga.Gojo-kun and Marin-chan's words and the sight of everyone growing up gave me courage many times.”
Akase Akari, the performer behind season 1’ ending theme commented, “Like Gojo-kun, I’ve always only used the word ‘beautiful’ for things I truly found beautiful.But when I saw Marin-chan wholeheartedly accepting and affirming it instead of rejecting it, I was completely enchanted. She gave me the courage to believe that it’s okay to feel that way.” She also shared how great it was to meet the mangaka and be a part of the anime.
Spoiler Alert: The next part of the article contains spoilers from the final chapter.
My Dress-Up Darling’s ending was everything fans had hoped for
The manga series started in January 2018 in Square Enix’s Young Gangan magazine. Despite being a risque romcom, My Dress-Up Darling made a place inside people’s hearts for its open charm. Especially Marin Kitagawa, who is a cosplayer and inspires Wakana Gojo to make beautiful and lore-accurate costumes for her. Her love for the craft and her own passion about various game and anime characters is adorable. Although it started out with them working together, Marin and Wakana soon fall in love with each other after sensing the loyalty, trust, and sincerity they had in the relationship.
Image: Shinichi Fukuda/ Square Enix
The final chapter, which is a timeskip, brought all these things to a head. In a fleeting panel, we see pictures from Marin and Wakana’s wedding. Although we didn’t get to see the actual wedding, the fact that they’re married and working together towards their goal in life is enough to put a smile on everyone’s face. Grandpa Gojo is still alive and well, which is another good news. Marin is now a model while Wakana continues to make Hina dolls and has become famous for it. Overall, Shinichi Fukuda gave fans the perfect ending that everyone was hoping for. Now fans have the second season of the anime to look forward to. They're also hoping Fukuda will begin another manga soon.
