The anime "My Dress-Up Darling," based on Shinichi Fukuda's manga and currently airing, has become this season's hottest topic since its January premiere. Not only have protagonists Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo captivated different fanbases, but the show also offers detailed explanations of traditional Japanese Hina dolls. Following the broadcast of Episode 4, which highlighted the characteristics of modern Hina dolls, Keisho Suzuki – the real-life inspiration for protagonist Wakana Gojo and the third-generation head of the Suzuki Ningyo doll workshop – announced that 300 sets of his contemporary Hina dolls had completely sold out.
According to Japanese media outlet Yorozu News, Keisho Suzuki began training to become a doll maker in college. After officially becoming a master doll maker at age 26, he now crafts approximately 40,000 dolls annually. The report also noted that about a year before the "My Dress-Up Darling" manga began serialization, Suzuki received inquiries from the publisher and author Shinichi Fukuda, undergoing several interviews. This collaboration allowed for the manga's incredibly detailed depiction of the doll-making process.
▼ Keisho Suzuki, the real-life inspiration for "My Dress-Up Darling" protagonist Wakana Gojo and the third-generation head of the Suzuki Ningyo doll workshop. (Image source: Yorozu News)
Suzuki recalled taking the author on a tour of his workshop and explaining the intricate details of doll making. "The author truly depicted the dolls beautifully in the manga," he said with a satisfied expression.
Episode 4 of the anime delved into the modern evolution of Hina dolls, showcasing changes not just in hairstyles but also in clothing, incorporating elements appealing to younger generations. Suzuki revealed he started making "modern-style" Hina dolls seven years ago. While initially met with skepticism – "I thought it was normal to be questioned; blonde, blue-eyed Hina dolls are certainly unusual," he admitted – he and his team poured their passion into the project, making compromises during development.
▼ Modern-style Hina dolls feature significant differences in attire and appearance compared to traditional Hina dolls. (Image source: Yorozu News)
Today, dolls with blonde hair and false eyelashes are incredibly popular among young mothers. "My 'Bell's kiss' series of modern-style dolls, which I prepared to sell this season, completely sold out all 300 sets after Episode 4 aired," he stated. "Many of those buyers were also 'My Dress-Up Darling' fans."
Keisho Suzuki hopes "My Dress-Up Darling" will continue to spread the charm of Hina dolls even further. "I hope everyone will come visit Iwatsuki, the 'Doll City,' to see them," he said. "In the future, I also want to keep striving to create dolls beautiful enough to appear in anime."
via： よろず〜ニュース