My Dress-Up Darling, Volume 3: 10/06/22

My Dress-Up Darling, Volume 3 by Shinichi Fukuda (2019) introduces the professional cosplayer and her younger but taller sister to the series. The cosplayer who goes by JuJu shows up at Wakana's home hoping to hire him for a project. Marin is beside herself with joy at meeting someone she admires and wants desperately to do a joint cosplay even though JuJu swears so only does it solo.

The blurb hints that there might be a love triangle brewing with the appearance of JuJu. There isn't. Wakana is too dedicated to his work and too afraid of disappointing his new client to be at all interested in her. JuJu meanwhile is too dedicated to her cosplay and photo-sessions to be interested in Wakana.

There is, however, nudity. It didn't strike me as particularly fan-servicey. But it's there. Wakana sees more than he wants to but manages to act mature about it.

Mostly, though, this volume is about the nitty gritty of being a serious cosplayer. There are pages and pages about photography: different kinds of cameras and lenses, different lighting techniques, different framing techniques, shutter speed, depth of field. If you're not a photography nerd, there's a bunch to skip here.

The book ends on a mini-cliffhanger as the four check out a shooting location. JuJu who puts up a tough acting facade is actually nervous about certain locations. The abandoned hospital the group has chosen to rent isn't in her comfort zone but she tries to put on a brave face. Wakana who's not there to cosplay or photograph is able to recognize her discomfort, thus continuing his status as a completely trustworthy person.

Five stars

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