Ever watch a show and just know you’ve heard that voice before? You’re sitting there, staring at Marin Kitagawa’s chaotic energy, thinking, "Wait, is that also the girl from that other high school rom-com?" It happens. Honestly, the My Dress Up Darling cast is a weirdly perfect blend of veteran industry titans and fresh voices that just clicked. When CloverWorks dropped this adaptation of Shinichi Fukuda’s manga back in 2022, nobody really expected it to explode the way it did. Sure, the animation was gorgeous, but the chemistry between the leads? That was all down to the voice acting.
It isn't just about matching a face to a name. It’s about the specific way Wakana Gojo stammers when he’s nervous or the high-pitched squeal Marin lets out when she sees a new Shizuku-tan outfit.
The Core Duo: Hina Suguta and Shogo Naoya
Let’s talk about Marin first. Hina Suguta wasn't exactly a household name before this. She’d done some work in BanG Dream! as Rokka Asahi, but My Dress Up Darling was her massive breakout moment. She captures that "gyaru" energy without making it a caricature. It’s a tough balance. If you go too hard, she's annoying; if you play it too safe, she’s boring. Suguta finds that sweet spot where Marin feels like a real, slightly over-the-top teenager who just really, really loves her hobbies.
Then you’ve got Shogo Naoya.
He plays Gojo. Poor, stressed-out, doll-obsessed Gojo. Naoya brings this heavy, grounded sincerity to the role. It’s a stark contrast to Marin’s brightness. Most people recognize Naoya from smaller roles, but he carries the emotional weight of a guy who has spent his whole life feeling isolated because he likes making Hina dolls. It’s a niche hobby. It’s lonely. Naoya makes you feel that loneliness in the first episode, and then he makes you feel the slow, terrifying process of him opening up to the world.
The English Dub Perspective
If you’re a dub watcher, the My Dress Up Darling cast feels equally stacked. AmaLee (Amanda Lee) voices Marin. If you spend any time on YouTube or in the anime community, you know her. She’s a massive presence. Her take on Marin is a bit different from Suguta’s—maybe a little more snarky, a little more "modern American teen"—but it works perfectly for the localization. Beside her is Paul Dateh as Gojo. Dateh is actually better known to some as a professional violinist, which is a wild trivia fact to pull out at parties. His voice work is surprisingly tender. He nails that specific "I am currently having a panic attack because a pretty girl is in my room" vibe.
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Supporting Players Who Steal the Scene
It isn't just a two-person show. Eventually, the world expands. You get the Inui sisters.
Sajuna "Juju" Inui is voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki. If that name sounds familiar, it should. She’s everywhere. She is Anya Forger in Spy x Family. She is Frieren in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The range is actually insane. In My Dress Up Darling, she plays a high-schooler who looks like a middle-schooler and has the professional intensity of a CEO. Tanezaki uses this crisp, slightly standoffish tone that melts the second Juju gets overwhelmed by Gojo’s talent or Marin’s... Marin-ness.
Then there’s Shinju Inui, played by Hina Yomiya.
Shinju is the opposite of her sister—tall, shy, and incredibly supportive. Yomiya plays her with this soft, breathy quality that makes her the perfect "little" sister (despite being twice Juju's size). It’s a fun dynamic that adds a layer of "found family" to the cosplay world that the show explores.
The Mentor Figure: Kaoru Gojo
We have to mention the grandfather. Atsushi Ono plays Kaoru Gojo. He’s the anchor. While the kids are running around screaming about wigs and contact lenses, Kaoru is there with his steady, deep voice, reminding Gojo (and the audience) that craftsmanship takes time. Ono has a massive resume, often playing "tough guy" roles or older mentors, and he brings a much-needed gravity to a show that can get pretty fanservice-heavy.
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Why This Specific Cast Worked
Casting an anime isn't just about finding good actors. It's about finding voices that "fit" the character design. When you look at Marin, she’s vibrant. Her eyes are huge, her hair is bright. Hina Suguta’s voice has a certain "sparkle" to it. On the flip side, Gojo’s character design is all vertical lines and muted colors. Shogo Naoya’s voice is similarly "straight."
There's a specific scene—fans know the one—where Gojo is measuring Marin for her first cosplay. The tension is through the roof. The voice actors had to convey a mix of professional focus and absolute hormonal chaos. If the actors hadn't been in sync, that scene would have been cringe. Instead, it’s one of the most memorable moments in modern romance anime.
- The Chemistry: Suguta and Naoya recorded many of their sessions together, which is becoming less common in a post-pandemic world, but it shows. The timing of their banter feels natural.
- The Contrast: Putting a veteran like Atsumi Tanezaki next to relative newcomers like Suguta and Naoya raised the bar for everyone.
- The Direction: Akiko Fujita, the sound director, pushed for a "naturalistic" style of acting. You’ll notice they don't always sound like "anime characters." They mumble. They trip over words. They laugh mid-sentence.
Where Are They Now?
Since the first season wrapped, the My Dress Up Darling cast has been busy. Hina Suguta has become a staple at anime conventions. Shogo Naoya is picking up more lead roles. Fans are, of course, screaming for Season 2 news. While a second season was officially confirmed a while back, the production cycle for high-quality animation is long.
People often ask if the cast will stay the same for the sequel. In the anime industry, unless there’s a major scandal or a health issue, the original cast almost always returns. It’s a matter of brand consistency. You can't replace the voice of Marin Kitagawa; the fans would riot.
Deep Cut: The Video Game Connection
Did you know many of these actors cross over into the gaming world?
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- Atsumi Tanezaki (Juju) is in Blue Archive and Arknights.
- Hina Suguta (Marin) is a massive part of the BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! universe.
- Even the minor characters are often voiced by people you’ve fought in Genshin Impact or Final Fantasy.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
A lot of people think that because Marin is a "gyaru," her voice actress must be one too. Not really. Hina Suguta is actually quite different from Marin in real life, though she has embraced the fashion for promotional events. Another big one? People assume the English cast and Japanese cast never interact. While they don't usually record together, they often meet at major international events like Anime Expo, sharing their "version" of the character.
Honestly, the success of the show is a testament to how much "voice" matters. You could have the best animation in the world, but if the characters sound like cardboard, nobody cares. This cast made us care about the difference between 2-way stretch fabric and cotton. They made us care about the proper way to apply fake eyelashes.
Moving Forward with My Dress Up Darling
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of the My Dress Up Darling cast, there are a few things you should actually do. Don't just re-watch the show.
- Check out the "More Than a Doll" Radio Show: In Japan, Suguta and Naoya hosted a promotional radio program. Even if you don't speak Japanese, you can find translated clips on YouTube. It shows their real-life dynamic, which is surprisingly similar to the characters.
- Follow the Official Twitter (X) Accounts: The Japanese VAs are very active. They often post behind-the-scenes photos from recording sessions or events where they dress up in (mild) cosplay themselves.
- Compare the Dub and Sub: It’s a fun exercise. Watch the "phone booth" scene in both languages. Notice how the inflection changes the mood. AmaLee’s Marin feels a bit more confident, while Suguta’s feels a bit more "in the moment."
The most important thing to remember is that these actors are part of a massive machine. Behind them are the sound directors, the mixers, and the original creator, Shinichi Fukuda, who had a say in how these characters should sound. When Season 2 finally hits screens, expect this cast to return with even more nuance, especially as the story gets into some of the heavier, more complex cosplay arcs from the manga.
Stay tuned to official CloverWorks announcements for the return of the crew. Until then, you can find most of the cast appearing in the current seasonal lineups—they're hard to miss once you know what you're listening for.
Keep an eye on the credits of upcoming romantic comedies. You'll likely see these names popping up more and more as they've officially become the "new guard" of the industry. It’s pretty cool to see a niche show about dolls and cosplay turn a group of talented people into legitimate stars. No gimmicks, just solid acting and a lot of heart.