"My Dress-Up Darling" is a romantic comedy serialized in Young Gangan magazine, and it's based on cosplay. The main character is a well-built guy who is forced to work for his family business, but whose hobbies are doll making and sewing. He interacts with the heroine, a cheerful gal who is the center of attention in his class and someone he never thought he'd have anything to do with, through their shared hobby of cosplay. The anime adaptation is scheduled to air from January 2022, and we'd like to introduce you to Fukuda Shinichi, the creator of this work, which has the potential to be a masterpiece!
Before serializing this work, Shinichi Fukuda was active in "Monthly Shonen Ace" and other magazines.
After serializing several one-shot stories in Monthly Shonen Ace, Shinichi Fukuda serialized "Shibaraku," which won the Encouragement Award at the 23rd Ace Newcomer Manga Awards. He then published "Momoiro Meloic" as a one-shot in Young King, which subsequently became a serialization running from 2012 to 2016. He also serialized "Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru" in Young Gangan, which is scheduled to be adapted into an anime starting in January 2022.
Is Shinichi Fukuda a man...or a woman?!
— 福田晋一 (@fukudashin1) April 19, 2021
While Shinichi Fukuda's name might lead you to believe he's a man, he is actually a woman. His artwork certainly makes him appear to be a female artist. However, it's not particularly uncommon for female artists to use male pen names. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Koyoharu Gotouge and World's End Harem's Kotaro Yoino also appear to have male names, but they are actually female.
What kind of style is Shinichi Fukuda's "My Dress-Up Darling"?
Shinichi Fukuda's art style is similar to that of comics aimed at women. However, the protagonist is male, the story unfolds from his perspective, and the magazine in which it is published, Young Gangan, attracts a large male readership. As the story revolves around cosplay, Fukuda himself (despite being a complete beginner) reveals in the bonus chapters at the end of the volume that he conducted extensive research. This intriguing content, even as a work about cosplay, occasionally uses powerful words to make readers laugh, making it an entertaining work as a cosplay, romantic comedy, and comedy. Also, many of the themes in his previous works and the works featured in them involve outlandish sexual fetishes.
Real-life stores and events also appear in the story!?!?
今年もやります池ハロコラボポスター！🎉
— 池ハロ2025＠10/24〜10/26開催!_dwangoコスプレ (@niconico_cos) October 29, 2021
第三弾の発表はTVアニメ「その着せかえ人形は恋をする」🌈
ポスターは更衣室等室内でご覧いただけます😍
お楽しみに！ #池ハロ2021 #着せ恋 pic.twitter.com/7hTU4OzoAy
After thorough research, permission was granted to use real-life stores, such as "Swallowtail," which sells cosplay supplies. The research is thorough and includes specific details such as the amount spent on cosplay. He even visits real events, and mentions events like Acosta!, giving the work a truly real-life feel! He's also collaborating with this year's Halloween cosplay event.
Author Shinichi Fukuda has a cat!
— 福田晋一 (@fukudashin1) April 22, 2021
His avatar in the manga is his pet cat. He has a pet cat and occasionally posts pictures of it on Twitter. He also retweets topics about cosplay events and individual cosplay events that honor his work, suggesting his work is also influencing real-life cosplay. While cosplay events themselves have declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the infection situation in Japan has improved significantly recently, and with the anime adaptation of this work, real-life cosplay may become a hot topic.
Shinichi Fukuda's afterword at the end of the book is very interesting!
In the afterword at the end of the book, he talks about events that occurred during his research trips and his trial and error in dealing with the subject of cosplay, going out and trying things out for himself. Perhaps Fukuda is weak under pressure, as he often appears flustered, which is quite endearing. Here are some excerpts from the afterword!
Afterword of Volume 1
This is a glimpse of the conversation I had during an interview at the Swallowtail Ikebukuro store. Even though I behaved suspiciously like a suspicious person, the staff seemed kind to me.
Afterword to Volume 2
Fukuda-sensei was excited to cover the cosplay event and enjoyed herself to the fullest. However, what awaited her afterward was the extremely exhausting, crowded cosplay event episode. It's the writer's struggle.
Afterword to Volume 3
Since he draws cosplay manga, Fukuda-sensei thought there were some things you couldn't understand without actually trying cosplay, so he decided to try cosplaying. He struggled and just couldn't put on the false eyelashes on the left side, and what he had drawn in the manga became a reality. It's true that it's difficult when you actually try it.
Afterword to Volume 4
After six hours of hard work, Fukuda-sensei finally managed to complete her Berta cosplay. However, she noticed that her hairstyle was different, and of course she would have to cut it herself... so she gave up. Furthermore, the unfamiliar wig caused her a headache and a rash from the tape, resulting in a disappointing outcome... Her first cosplay attempt was abandoned. Thank you for your hard work.
Afterword to Volume 5
Fukuda-sensei heads to a love hotel for an interview. However, he's never been to one before, and he's alone. Even here, he struggles and things don't go well. But the manga was interesting!
Introducing other works by Shinichi Fukuda!
Shibaraku
Imperial Year 2952. The era of peace has come to an end, and in a time of chaos, rebellions are breaking out all over the country. Isao, a young boy belonging to the rebel suppression army "White Lion," is constantly being scolded by his commander for his troublesome behavior. However, he has a specific purpose.
Pink Meloic
Yamato Shinomiya, a tough yankee who works at a construction site, not only sees his younger sister Masaki as a romantic interest, but even gets an erection from her gestures. Even though his friends point out his abnormality, his lust knows no bounds and he gets caught up in a slapstick adventure in this abnormal romantic comedy.
[My Dress-Up Darling] A Summary About the Author
Here's a summary about Shinichi Fukuda, the author of "My Dress-Up Darling"! This work was created after extensive research, including cosplay by the author himself and attending events, and he has even collaborated on real-life cosplay events. The meticulous research, the fun of a romantic comedy, and the occasional hilarious scenes make it a very enjoyable work, so I think the anime is also one to look forward to! The anime will start airing in January 2022, so be sure to check it out!
