My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12 Review – Best In Show

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My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12 Review – Quick Summary

In My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12, “My Dress-Up Darling,” Marin Kitagawa tells Wakana Gojou how she had learned so much money – and how she intends to learn even more. How did Wakana react to this startling revelation? Or was it not so startling after all? Also, can you guess who left their summer homework at school? Actually, that’s probably a pretty obvious question, given it’s not something Wakana would do. Is it too late to retrieve the homework? Or is Marin destined for a bad start to the school year?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12

Wakana is a practical young man! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

This show excels at showing us the little moments that add up to a mutually fulfilling relationship. Those are moments I frankly don’t see presented very often, and now that I see them here, it almost makes me feel sad. Those moments are what are important. They’re the moments that draw two people together. I’m sad I don’t see them more often.

Marin had just fallen into the pool (and I swear she violated the speed of light with how quickly she fell!), and Wakana had just gone in after her. Beside the pool, trying to dry off in the summer sun, Marin told him that she loved going to the beach, even though she couldn’t swim. Why? Because she loved sitting on the sand, sharing snacks with her friends, and watching the sunlight sparkle on the sea. 

Then she tested him. Did you notice that? She made herself vulnerable and said he must think she was a “little nuts” for liking to go the beach though she could not swim.

He didn’t ridicule her. He didn’t tease her, either, and he explained his chuckle by saying he had strongly related to what she said. It was like him loving hina dolls, though he couldn’t yet paint their faces very well. 

But Wakana, in his own earnest way, went one step farther. He said (09:53), “But if you drown, you’ll die, so please try to avoid that.”

She promised she would give it her best shot.

Best in Show Moment for My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12

Sometimes the quietest moments are the best. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

In last week’s episode, the show impressed me with its authentic portrayal of physical intimacy. I’ve read a lot of people use the word “wholesome” to describe this show, and I understand why. That portrayal was everything a such moment of vulnerability should be. In fact, everything it is meant to be.

I thought that would likely be this season’s high point. The moment was so intense that I didn’t really think they could surpass it. But you know what? In this episode, they presented another moment that is every bit as authentic and every bit as wholesome. It’s a moment I see dramatized less often, yet it’s a moment that’s probably even more critical to a healthy, long-term relationship.

It happened after the end credits. Wakana was tired after a long day. He was rolling out his futon when Marin called him. She was nearly frantic because she had watched a scary movie by herself. Saying that he could just put her on speaker if he wanted to go to sleep, she begged him to talk to her.

Of course, he did.

You know your relationship is strong when moments like this feel as satisfying as moments with more physical intensity. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I don’t know how long they talked. It was a good long while, because he had nearly fallen asleep. After saying how much more she had wanted to do over summer, she said that there just weren’t enough hours in the day. He agreed, at least sort of. He was just about asleep. He said he had had a lot of fun this year. Then he fell silent, and she only heard his breathing through the phone.

She lay there, smiling at her phone, listening to him breathe, just enjoying the moment of them being quietly together, even if it were by phone (22:51). That’s the moment. That’s the moment I so rarely see dramatized. It’s not as sexy or fun as my favorite moment from the previous episode. But it’s every bit as important. Almost to prove the point, she said (22:57), “Gojo-kun, I love you.”

It’s the most natural thing in the world, and it’s the most profound. I think I can say that at least from where I sit, My Dress-Up Darling nailed the landing.

I’m glad I got to spend time with these characters, and I hope I get to spend some more in a second season!

What did you think of Wakana’s reaction to Marin’s Yukata? The fireworks scene? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• Reddit: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru – Episode 12 discussion – FINAL
• I Drink and Watch Anime: My Dress-Up Darling ep12 – Clear Sailing
• RABUJOI: My Dress-Up Darling – 12 (Fin) – Not Nuts at All

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 1: Someone Who Lives in the Exact Opposite World as Me
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 2: Wanna Hurry Up, and Do It?
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 3: Then Why Don’t We?
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4: Are These Your Girlfriend’s
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 5: It’s Probably Because This Is the Best Boob Bag Here
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 6: For Real?!
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 7: A Home Date with the Guy I Wuv Is the Best
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 8: Backlighting is the Best
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 9: A Lot Happened After I Saw That Photo
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 10: We’ve All Got Struggles
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 11: I Am Currently at a Love Hotel
• My Dress-Up Darling Episode 12: My Dress-Up Darling