The long-awaited live action of Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-Up Darling) premiered and apparently failed to delight fans, who expected to see Marin Kitagawa shine like in the anime. Her most iconic cosplay left much to be desired, leading fans to make comparisons, so the networks exploded in memes and photos where the “resolution” of the homemade cosplays seems to far exceed the official production.
Japanese criticize Marin Kitagawa’s cosplay in My Dress-Up Darling Live Action, prefer independent cosplayers
The premiere of the live action of Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-Up Darling) did not go unnoticed, but not for the reasons the production expected, as fans were disappointed with one of Marin Kitagawa’s most recognized cosplays, claiming that it lacked that magical touch that made the character an icon in anime. Soon, comparisons began: on social networks, fans flooded the timelines with images of cosplayers recreating Marin with such a level of detail that left the live action out of focus. “The home version has better resolution than the official one,” joked one user on his Twitter/X account.
Also many fans began comparing, both to the My Dress-Up Darling series and other recent live action, every crease, texture and hairstyle of the official costume to the work of independent artists. “When a cosplayer with a limited budget achieves more fidelity than an entire production, there’s something wrong,” complained one follower, accompanied by a photo where Marin looks radiant… but not in the live action, but thanks to a cosplayer.
Fans’ opinions reflect a mixture of admiration and frustration. Some note that while actor Fujihara showed a remarkable performance, with a “high resolution” in his acting, the lack of fidelity to the source material has been discouraging: “It’s as if they said something that isn’t really part of the story,” complains one fan, suggesting that the creative decisions did not resonate with the audience. In addition, many argue that cosplayers approach their art with a dedication and love that often surpasses the delivery of the actors, who, despite their efforts, seem to lack the emotional connection these characters require.
In the end, the question that lingers in the air is, “Why did they decide to turn this into a live-action version?” This concern reflects a widespread sentiment among fans, who yearn to see their favorite stories come to life in a way that respects and celebrates the essence of the source material. In a world where cosplay is elevated to a passionate and authentic art form, many hope that future adaptations will learn from these lessons and pay homage to the creativity and love that fans bring to their favorite characters.
In recent years, the proliferation of live action adaptations has generated as many expectations as disappointments, becoming a battleground for the most passionate fans. While production companies seek to capitalize on the success of anime, fans increasingly demand more fidelity in the transition to real life, as they expect to see the essence of their favorite characters reflected with the same precision and soul as in the original works. This “constant war” between the creative vision of adaptations and the fandom’s love of detail has made it clear that, to win the hearts of the public, simple recreation is not enough: authenticity is key.
This controversy reignites an ongoing discussion: why do live actions fail to capture the essence of anime? While some attempts have been applauded, many others end in disappointment. For now, it seems that fans will continue to opt for independent, handmade talent, where the passion for the characters translates into costumes that look like they came straight off the screen. Because, at the end of the day, fans are clear that the perfect cosplay is not measured in budget, but in dedication.
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