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My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20 – Quick Summary
In My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20, “The Only Way I Can Think of to Express That Gratitude Is with Money,” Marin and Wakana a cosplay event at Ikebukuro. Marin learns photographic tips from Suzuka Itou – including ways to get easy and fast dramatic angles. Wakana, meanwhile, plans to meet Akira Ogata, a prop-designer whose work he admired online. But he doesn’t know what they look like, nor they, him. When they finally meet, Wakana gets a surprise – but not as much a surprise as what comes later!
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20
Suzuka sure knows what she likes. Kinda scary, actually. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’m beginning to think that Suzuka needs supervision. There’s just something not quite right with this girl. For example, she seems to like Wakana simply because he’s a high school boy “in the wild.” “Never change!” she tells him (15:33).
That’s not my favorite quote. But it does give you an insight into her character.
My favorite quote came when Suzuka met Amane Himeno in costume as an idol. Amane’s costume was quite tasteful. The skirt went down to his knees, and he had socks that came up almost to his knees. But something about the look spoke to something deep within Suzuka.
“Not only is he cute,” Suzuka thought (04:41), “but so lewd… He’s so lewd I’m worried that I might get arrested!”
When you watch that scene, you’ll that it shows Suzuka on the left and Amane on the right. As she said “so lewd,” her eyes drop to Amane’s socks – and so does the shot of Amane on the right! Very nice bit of direction, there.
And it’s nice to see that Suzuka if honest with herself about what she likes.
Favorite Moment from My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20
Wakana told Akira exactly what he thought of her work. She wasn’t quite ready to hear it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Akira Doesn’t See Her Worth
It was great seeing Sajuna Inui again! I’ve missed her and her sister Shinju Inui. Their arc last season gave Wakana one of his first opportunities (aside from Marin) to help someone with their interests. In fact, helping Shinju benefited him as much as it benefited her. It also set up my favorite moment in this episode.
I should insert an obligatory note of gratitude that the show gave me so many moment to choose from for my favorite. Seriously, that’s the hardest part of writing these reviews. It’s such a target rich environment!
After a comical clash of expectations where Akira had expected a woman and Wakana had expected a man, the two managed to begin talking about the reason for the meeting: Wakana wanted to talk to Akira about her prop craftsmanship. He lavished praise on her work, especially the sword she carried with her.
Akira explained that her characters were original creations. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
She didn’t seem comfortable. She came out and said (12:02), “I appreciate your praise, but my cosplay’s not that impressive.” As Wakana listened in astonishment, she went on and on about her work being unremarkable.
Before I go on, can I just say that Akira reminded me strongly of Isuzu Souma? That’s a good thing – that character captured my imagination the second she appeared on screen.
Now, I think it’s pretty clear by now that Wakana is very sensitive to others degrading their own work. He’s lived with that tendency for too much of his life. Instead of embittering him, it’s made him empathetic. So there was no way he would just sit there and let her run herself down.
Delivery: But Wakana Sees It
As soon as she said her work was unoriginal, he tried to object. Instead, he froze, realizing he had just met this young woman and trying to think of a socially acceptable way to get his point across. The silence stretched so long she finally asked him what was up.
He apologized. By now, she felt intrigued, so she encouraged him to go on. And this was my favorite moment.
“W-well then,” he said (12:33). “Th-that might be true… But I was just so impressed by your cosplay. That’s why I reached out to you! In other words, it’s very impressive to me!”
That was a big step for Wakana. He spoke directly to the issue. No beating around the bush. He just dumped his support for her work into the open. His words shocked her. It was a great moment – well worth being my favorite!
Earnestness can make the world a better place. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
But remember, Wakana is still finding himself. What made the moment even better was his shock at realizing what he’d done. He began to apologize all over himself.
He said (12:52), “I didn’t mean anything bad by, ‘That might be true.’ I only said it that way as I’m not very knowledgeable on this, so I can’t really judge what you’re saying, and I didn’t mean anything bad about your cosplay — “
By this point, she had dissolved into laughter. Whatever she had expected from Wakana, it wasn’t this awkward earnestness. Judging by the tone of her laugh, that was exactly what she needed to hear. It was also exactly what he needed to say. After all, real strength comes from how we weave communities around ourselves. Wakana is become very strong indeed.
What did you think of Akira’s apparent animosity toward Marin? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru Season 2 • My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 – Episode 8 discussion
- Lost in Anime: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-up Darling) Season 2 – 08
- The Anime Rambler – By Benigmatica: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru Episode #20
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 13: Wakana Gojo, 15 Years Old, Teenager
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 14: You Can Equip Boobs
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 15: I Wuuuuv Slice-of-Life Scenes!
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 16: Has All My Measurements Memorized
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 17: 800 Million
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 18: I’ll Make It Happen, No Matter What with These Two Hands
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 19: Capture Those Delicious Memories!
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 20: The Only Way I Can Think of to Express That Gratitude Is with Money
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 21: Because I Don’t Intend to Sleep Tonight
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 22: So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?!
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 23: I Didn’t Think Anything Good Would Ever Happen to Me
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 24: Dear My Dress-Up Darling
