My Dress-Up Darling Spinoff Series Announced Amid Season 3 Silence

Enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating fresh My Dress-Up Darling content following the conclusion of the anime’s second season. While official word on a third season remains elusive, the franchise’s enduring popularity has sparked a resurgence of interest in the manga, further bolstered by the announcement of an upcoming spinoff title.

Published by Square Enix Books, My Dress-Up Darling: XOXO is a new, single-volume spinoff that reunites the original cast for a series of lighthearted new adventures. Scheduled to hit shelves in the United States on October 13, this volume provides the perfect entry point for anime-only viewers looking to explore the source material while waiting for further television updates.

“Marin Kitagawa, Wakana Gojo, the Inui sisters, Amane Himeno, and other fan-favorite characters return in this collection of comedic vignettes—all featuring a whimsical new aesthetic,” the official synopsis explains. “Readers will discover why an old classmate of Wakana’s is suddenly seeking a loan, how many horror films Sajuna can endure for Shinju, and whether Marin’s debut as a Manga Club booth babe will be a triumph.”

Originally serialized in Square Enix’s Young Gangan magazine, My Dress-Up Darling is a beloved romantic comedy following Wakana Gojo, a high schooler with a secret talent for crafting traditional hina dolls. His solitary life changes when the popular Marin Kitagawa discovers his skill and enlists him to design her cosplay outfits, igniting a charming “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic intensified by Marin’s infectious otaku passions.

Though a third season has yet to be greenlit, producer Shota Umehara suggested that fan engagement is key to the series’ longevity. “The franchise thrives by reaching new audiences, so I would be delighted if the recent season encouraged more people to explore the anime or the original manga,” Umehara remarked in a recent interview. The success of this new spinoff could play a vital role in securing the future of the animated series.

Source: Polygon