My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4 Review – Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4 Review – Quick Summary

In My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4, “Are These Your Girlfriend’s?”, Wakana Gojou has to come to grips with a terrifying realization: He’s never sewn an outfit for a full-sized human before, and he does not think he can have it done in time for Marin Kitagawa’s cosplay event! That was before his grandfather fell and hurt himself (not seriously!) and Wakana realized that midterms were next week! Does Wakana have any chance of finishing the cosplay outfit in time? Or will he leave Marin bitterly disappointed?

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

Favorite Quote from My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4

These two are just such nice people. I really like seeing them together! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

So many quotes, so little space in my self-imposed format… I wish I’d chosen my classic review format for this series. It gives me three favorite moments to work with. Each episode has had so many moments that I’d love to share with you!

Yeah, I could spontaneously change the format, but the point of structure is to inspire creativity. So, let me try to be creative and share with you my most favorite quote of the lot. 

Wakana was worried that Marin might not like the costume, especially after its emotional reveal. He just came out and asked her if she were unhappy about it. That candor, on the part of both Wakana and Marin, is turning into one of my favorite parts of the show. They don’t spend a whole episode or even an arc trying to figure out why Wakana’s avoiding Marin or whether or not Marin is happy about something. They just talk it out!

Kinda like real people.

She assured him that she was really, really happy about it. Hina Suguta, Marin’s voice actor, did a fantastic job in this scene (okay, in the whole series so far!). To put Wakana at ease, she said (17:27), “Thank you… I’ll wear the hell out of it.”

Marin has such a way with words!

Best in Show Moment for My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4

She had no idea what he had put himself through. Her authentic reaction was touching. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Marin Shows Her True Colors

Choosing a moment was worse than choosing a quote! Do I go with the realization? The reconciliation? Their shared triumph? Damn. I feel like I’m taking a personality test reviewing this episode!

I’m going to go with the realization, because that’s the moment we saw, without any doubt, what kind of person Marin really is. In anime and in real life, you don’t really get to see into someone’s heart during day to day interactions. It’s easy for people who have strong social skills to act nice. You don’t really get to find out how they really are until they encounter a shock to their system. Then, who they are just spills out.

Wakana felt nothing but relief, knowing that he could now properly finish the outfit. Marin, though, had quite a different reaction. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

We got a hint about half way through this episode. Marin went to visit Wakana at home, and at first, I wondered if she just wanted to check on the status of her cosplay outfit. Then the camera showed that she had brought him a Stamina Beef Bowl. She was worried about him, and as we learned later, she thought he’d been preoccupied with his grandfather. That speaks well of her intentions!

If I had any doubts about what kind of person she is, they vanished when she visited Wakana and she realized just what he had done. He said he had barely finished the costume in time, but he was glad she could go to the event today.

Delivery: An Honest Miscommunication

Did you see the expression of shock on her face? “You actually thought I was going to cosplay at today’s event?” she asked, eyes wide (14:29). 

“Huh?! You’re not?” he asked.

Her shocked face, which I already thought looked quite shocked, got even more shocked. No, that’s not quite right. Yes, she was surprised by the misunderstanding, but there was horror there, too, because she realized, in that instant, what Wakana had put himself through. And she felt awful.

Marin looked and sounded devastated. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

The animation and her voice actor so totally sold the moment that I’m picking it as my favorite. Yes, Marin breaking down sobbing afterward was beautiful because of why she broke down. Yes, her reaction to Wakana’s smile was heart-warming. And yes, their shared joy at her becoming her favorite character was awesome. But I’m picking the insight that we got into the kind, caring person that Marin is in her heart of hearts. I don’t see enough of that sort of thing, and it’s nice to have some faith in humanity restored! 

Even if it’s in a work of fiction.

What did you think of grandpa’s reaction to the stockings? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to share in the comments!

My Dress-Up Darling Episode 4: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• Reddit: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru – Episode 4 discussion
• 100 Word Anime: My Dress Up Darling Episode 4 – A Failure to Communicate
• I Drink and Watch Anime: My Dress-Up Darling ep4 – Smile
• RABUJOI: My Dress-Up Darling – 04 – Artificial Deadline

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