1This review may contain spoilers
Humans are not black or white, they are shades of grey.
First I have to say I watched this because of the actor Matsumoto Leo who played the best side character in "I Cannot Reach You" in 2023. Also the two personalities on the poster intrigued me. But besides that, I went in blind.This is a story which was needed to be told. I applaud the creators to have the gall in Japan to tell a story which is against the conforming nature of japanese people. It teaches the viewers that man do not need to be masculine and even if they have feminin traits, it does not mean they are all gay. The same goes for the girl, who is on the tomboyish side without the typical expierence doing makeup and dessing up. I won't spoil the rest of the story here, but it was not earth-shattering, but quite nice.
It's more on the light side, telling a story of discovery and exploration especially for the girl. The only downfall is the story about Hikarus parents, especially his father who does not approve of his cross-dressing. We can assume the mother was on his side always and his father came around in the finale but maybe in this case they should have shifted the story more so we could have seen the wedding with the parents... as with many BLs the kissing was again just dead fish kisses which annoys me in EVERY romance.
Overall an atypically japanese romance with atypical people which is worth the watch in my book!
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1Lighthearted fun with a well-casted ML to cast a spell on you
First of all, I just have to say Matsumoto Leo is so well-casted as the male lead, Hikaru. He’s so beautiful with long hair and make up, and all the stylish outfits. Yet, also so handsome with his short and slightly gelled up hair. This drama would not be the same without him. He carries the show on his shoulders!It did take me a little bit to get used to Haruka as our female lead. This is totally a ‘me’ problem because I always have this problem with Japanese bubbly and innocent characters. But she grew on me and I like her more and more, especially when her overdramatic antics died down a little.
“Cinderella Closet” is primarily about Haruka’s character development. With the help of Hikaru’s magic, Haruka learns to love herself more and build self-confidence. Of course, she also looks prettier and prettier as the drama goes. Despite this, I still feel that her change is jumpstarted by the desire to look good for a guy. First, it’s to go on a date with Kurotaki. Towards the end, it’s wanting to stand alongside Hikaru, to work as hard as he does, and not be left behind. There was a quick moment of finding her passion but that was only boiled down to a quick conversation with Kurotaki. Yes, Hikaru grew from a girl who has no friends and doesn’t look ‘pretty’, to someone who has become more confident and found love and friends. I just wish the journey relies on guys a little less.
Having said all that, this is a lovely drama with very sweet and supportive characters. The leads have great chemistry and I loved the scenes of them together especially in the early episodes. Hikaru is straightforward and honest with his comments. His honesty contrasts Hikaru’s nervous energy but nonetheless, she’s a very honest person herself. It was also interesting to see the contrast in how parents deal with Hikaru’s cross-dressing. I wish the drama had explored that a little bit more as well.
“Cinderella Closet” is a light-hearted and sweet drama of exploration and loving oneself. It’s also about accepting those who are different from you, and to look past what’s on the outside. I initially thought the cross-dressing bit might create a little more tension but this drama is way too positive to dive deep into that.
Completed: 10/4/2025 Review #631
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Loving this new wave!
There is a saying in this drama in the first episode that had me quite gobsmacked and it comes from Hikaru : "after 20, being ugly is a choice! Don't get the wrong idea, I am not talking about your appearance. A self-deprecating smile isn't cute."Like??????? hello????? this is iconic AND so needed??????
This drama has quite everything imho when it comes to a self-discovery/acceptance story...it has strong characters, each more unique than the other and yet they somehow feel quite casual and common and I believe the strenght of the story reside in that. In how their uniqueness and differences feel so normal and comfortable because the characters ARE confident (or learn to be more confident) and so as an audience, we can just feel great and positive about it all even if it might be foreign. It even pushes you to question yourself soemtimes. Cinderella closet is, to me, the embodiment of self-worth and confidence, portraying characters that loves themselves, that are proud of who they are and characters that learns to be more confident and embrace their pecularities, acknowledging that they are their strenghts!
I love the respect they have toward make-up in this where it is seen as a tool, a magic trick to enhance your outer appearance and yet it is not portrayed as a way to hide yourself but rather just to make you feel prettier, so much so, you end up acccepting yourself more, with AND without make-up! Like, It's okay to love pretty clothes and make-up and it's okay to have short hair and be a tall woman and still wear high heels if you want or be a man that cross-dress because he loves feeeling pretty because at the end of the day, what makes you really beautiful isn't all that but your confidence and self-love. Make-up, fashion, hairstyles are just means and paths to get there!
I love how accepting Haruka's mother was of Hikaru, embracing both of his side just like her daughter did <3
This drama is, imho, much more deep than what it seems and I gotta admit that I'm very happy with this new wave in jpn dramas that depict without shame various people that are parts of our societies but I also appreciate how they do not forget to highlight and celerate the various type of loves out there, all leading to a more open and accepting world and isn't art all about that??? Pushing the limits.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cute and pretty faithful to the manga
This series cut out quite a bit from the manga, but it did a pretty good job covering the key points. The acting is good, the leads have great chemistry, and I think the story itself is a really interesting one. I'm enjoying how j-dramas have shown different types of couples and dynamics, especially when it comes to gender expression. I appreciate that the topic of beauty is genderless here.I wish we'd gotten more of the wrap up with Hikaru's parents, but it's clear they wanted to fit as much as they could in 12 episodes. At times, it felt a bit disjointed and the romance seems to skip some steps straight into the ending where they're suddenly ready to be at the altar. However, the manga sort of did that, as well. It was just a bit less noticeable with the number of volumes.
Overall, it's a pretty solid series. Not the most amazing romance j-drama I've seen, but it's adorable.
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Teach me how to love myselft
Both of the main characters teach audiences—especially girls—how to be confident in front of their crush or lover. Many girls feel they are not pretty enough or do not deserve to have a crush, a lover, even though they are actually good enough and deserve the best with their normal physical characteristics.On the other hand, people can wear whatever they love. Hikaru, a man, can wear long hair, wear dresses, put on makeup, etc. Moreover, Haruka, a girl, does not have to wear a dress to define her value.
Another point about girls in relationships with men: if your partner makes you feel uncomfortable or cares about other girls more than you, it’s time to end it.
This is a message for not confident people, a lesson that everyone deserves the best in love. A wedding does not define love, so don’t rush.
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Insecurely, crushes, gender conventions and sweet smiles
Nothing (okay maybe somethings) bet the smiles on these leads faces, as we are invited in to 20 shades of handling ones insecurities and finding ones own path and love on the way. The drama also offers a whole lot of great self aware lines, and a whole lot of "Ha??".Here we get to see long time crushes meet new love, as well as questions about kindness, gender conventions, and what is love? what is attraction?
Our female lead is so insecure yet blunt at the sam time I can't help but love her smile, honesty and all round awesomeness being true to herself and others.
Our gender fluid/crossdressing lead is such a sweetheart juggling armour, jealousy, expectations and shock over and over again. Can I be loved for who I am or do I have to throw away my wig and make up? For the person I love, for society or for myself?
The male lead is such a cutie too, while he may not war make up he has more or less 0 macho tendencies (honestly the gender fluid one has more macho/manly than this guy) and is such a clueless little sweetheart I just wanted to give him a hug.
Actually all the character in this play around with gender conventions, beauty, crushes, and insecurities in various ways offering us the viewers a whole palette with an added bonus of amazing dimples, smiles and people who truly smile with their whole face especially their eyes.
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The Freedom to Be Soft
Gosh, I absolutely loved this show. I am a firm believer that everyone should be free from the restrictions of gender norms, to dress and exist in a way that makes them feel whole. It’s rare to see an Asian drama explore this kind of story without turning the male character into a symbol of queerness. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, but it feels refreshing to see a heterosexual relationship portrayed where both partners freely merge their identities without the limits society imposes.I’m in a relationship very similar to this. I personally prefer to dress in a feminine way, yet it brings me happiness to see my husband refuse the idea that he must be only masculine. I share my jewelry, my clothes, and my makeup with him. Together, we decorate our home with Sanrio characters. We find comfort in softness, in vulnerability, and in being completely ourselves. Watching a relationship like ours appear on screen filled me with quiet joy, like seeing a small reflection of our world finally acknowledged.
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This review may contain spoilers
When the cross-dresser steals the spotlight and your skincare routine.
I was intrigued by this drama the moment I saw the trailer—cross-dressing man meets tomboyish woman? Yes, it’s a rom-com cliché, but sometimes I need a palate cleanser from all the emotional carnage of melodramas. The premise promised light-hearted chaos with a dash of gender play, and I was ready to indulge. What I didn’t expect was how much of that indulgence would come from simply watching Matsumoto Leo steal every scene with his fashion game.What really surprised me was Matsumoto Leo. I’ve seen him floating around as a supporting actor in a few BL dramas, so I didn’t expect this level of transformation. But damn, he owned it. He looked so good in those feminine outfits that I found myself genuinely jealous — the styling, the grace, the confidence. Matsumoto didn’t just cross-dress; he embodied the role with both charm and sincerity. I spent half the drama just admiring his fashion game and the effortless way he carried himself. He was easily the standout — the kind of actor who makes you rethink how underused he’s been in past roles.
Osaki Ichika as Haruka had her moments too. I liked the concept of her character — a rough-around-the-edges tomboy with a heart of gold — but sometimes her acting tilted a little too far into over-the-top territory. She was much more engaging when she wasn’t trying so hard to impress Kurotaki. Maybe it’s the writing, maybe it’s the direction, but Haruka worked best when she was just being herself, not performing femininity for someone else’s approval. Still, Ichika had good chemistry with Matsumoto in the early episodes, and that’s what carried the show for me.
Surprisingly, the supporting cast added real texture. They weren’t just filler—they were flawed, funny, and occasionally endearing. It’s rare to see side characters who feel like they have lives outside the main plot, and Cinderella Closet gave them just enough dimension to matter.
The only letdown for me came toward the end. The romantic chemistry between Haruka and Hikaru fizzled out, and the rushed time skip didn’t help. I actually preferred them as best friends who uplifted each other rather than as lovers forced into a predictable ending. Hikaru seemed more authentic and confident presenting as a woman, and that aspect of identity was far more compelling than the sudden romance. And let’s be honest—the “kiss” that wasn’t really a kiss didn’t help sell the connection. If you’re going to pivot into romance, at least commit to the emotional and physical payoff. Still, I appreciate how they brought out each other’s growth — even if it came at the cost of what made them so unique. I just wish the drama had trusted that to be enough.
Cinderella Closet might not be groundbreaking, but it’s stylish, sweet, and unexpectedly thoughtful — a cozy fairytale about finding yourself, even if the glass slipper doesn’t quite fit at the end.
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This review may contain spoilers
Being comfortable in your own skin
This was an ok quick and easy watch. I came for the interesting story but there really was no substance to the story IMO. It's rated G so it was never going to get that deep. It's a nice break between series for me.The FL Haruka is nice and sweet and naive but accepting of others as they are. I liked that about her character but sometimes she was written so chlildish you forget that she is a 20something adult living in the city. The ML Hikaru is a fashionista and works in the industry as a makeup artist. He dresses as a women in his daily life and career. I liked Hikaru's genderfluity. I liked that he was experiening Haruka's genuine acceptance of him and his lifestyle. Especially considerin his father. I liked that they were friends first.
The best thing about the series though is Matsumoto Leo. PERIOD!
9/24/25
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A story that challeges our definition of masculinity and feminity
Honestly its a very different and cool story at that...It shows a Hikaru who is a makeup artist who has this cool and honest vibe the kind of person who treats the people closest the best and doesnt pretend nice with everyone...While the female lead Haruka she's a naive, kind, bubbly a tomboyish girl who doesnt know how to dress up or do makeup and likes to dress up casually...She has a crush on a guy at her workplace Kurotaki...In order to woo Kurotaki Haruka asks Hikaru's help who acts like fairy godmother to her and helps her present herself well and also become the best version of herself both inside out...Since its a ongoing drama and just 6 episodes have been aired I cant tell if the story will progress the same way it has started...But I started it today and ended up binge watching all 6 episodes that have aired and there are 4 more to go so I guess that tells that story is pretty good and binge worthy...Dont know why not a lot pf people know about it...Its actually pretty good...Also it has touched on some very important matters like our definition of masculinity and feminity in today's world...Like its not necessary that girl only knows how to dress up, cook, and stuff while its not necessary the guy can only be serious, can't communicate his feelings or do only things that make them macho per se...It touches these matters in a way that it doesnt feel too serious or documentary like...I like the way this story is till now and am hopeful that more people watch it and it also ends well.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the best j-drama romance of this year!
I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. It is a gem and never a dull moment. Read the manga and then watch this show, the chemistry is what brought it to life. Haruka and Hikari's development and how they complement each other along their journey of self discovery is so enjoyable to watch. Their fashion taste develops even better over time and you can't help but smile for them. Acting does feel a little raw at times, and FL can sometimes feel over to top but it gets better throughout the show. A must watch for a light warm-hearted show!Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet, low stress romance
This show is quite simple and lacking in drama despite the premise: Haruka is a tall, awkward tomboy who has a crush on her coworker and begs Hikaru, a cross dressing makeup artist who looks fierce and fabulous, for advice on how to make herself more feminine and appealing. They become friends and Hikaru develops a crush on Haruka but struggles to reveal his feelings because he doesn't think she'll see him as a man and romantic partner.The show treats the cross dressing premise very gently and there isn't a lot of hate or drama aimed at Hikaru. Most people are surprised when they find out he's not a woman and then shrug and move on. There's one person who reacts badly but it's resolved quickly in the story. The show focuses more on the self esteem of both leads as they think others won't accept them for who they are. The side characters are nice, especially the man who is interested in Hikaru and the girlfriend of Haruka's crush.
I really enjoyed the story but couldn't rate it higher than 7.5 because there really isn't much of a plot, just some sweet interactions and misunderstandings between the leads that resolve fairly quickly.
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