Gojo Wakana, the main character in the anime series My Dress-Up Darling, teaches us how trying new things can help us in developing our thinking skills. Gojo is a high school student who loves making traditional Japanese dolls, also known as “hina dolls”. It’s a family business inherited from his grandfather, Kaoru. They both run the business together and create intricately detailed dolls with unique outfits that represent different occasions and beliefs.
One day, Gojo meets Kitagawa Marin, a cosplayer who changes his life forever. Marin introduces him to the world of cosplay, and Gojo finds a new passion that validates him and makes him happier than making hina dolls. In his hina doll-making world, the only thing holding Gojo back is his lack of skill in drawing and painting the dolls’ faces, which is crucial in making them realistic. However, when he accompanies Marin to a cosplay event, Gojo gets to try his hand at applying makeup and creating costumes for Marin’s cosplay character. This experience helps him develop a new perspective on his old hobby, and he returns to doll-making with renewed energy and creativity.
Gojo’s grandfather, Kaoru, finally realizes that his grandson needs to explore new things to further develop his feelings and experiences. He approves of Gojo’s newfound passion for cosplay, and both of Gojo’s hobbies start to complement each other. He learns that he doesn’t have to choose between making hina dolls and cosplay; he can balance both with time.
Gojo’s journey shows us the importance of trying new things, exploring our passions, and learning from them. It also teaches us how different hobbies can support each other and help us grow, as long as we’re willing to put in the effort and time. Therefore, we should never be afraid of stepping out of our comfort zone and embrace new experiences that may help us in self-discovery and growth.
