My Dress-Up Darling Season 2

Episode 22

There were moments during this episode that were genuinely difficult to watch. This wasn't because the writing was bad or out of place, rather it was because the writing just got very realistically uncomfortable on multiple fronts. I know I haven't been won over by how much time the show will sometimes dedicate to these alternate shows or video games that the characters are cosplaying from. However, I think this episode perfectly encapsulated a distinct idea and feeling when Gojo was playing that horror game. The show had telegraphed that Gojo was going to get creeped out, but I love the way that episode framed everything. Not only was the unique pixel art distinctly creepy, but the way that everything was cut and edited together really got to the heart of why unconventional horror games like this are so appealing. Even the conversation that Gojo had with everybody else after beating the game reminded me of conversations I've had with other people after they finished playing games like Doki Doki Literature Club.

That feeling of relatability is all over this. I love the way that it handled Marin's insecurities as a sort of inverse mirror to the growth that Gojo has gone through. While Gojo has gained more confidence and become more introspective about himself, he's still not that good at reading other people. Part of the reason why he bounced off of Marin so well is because of how straightforward she is. I like how this episode calls back to their first real argument all the way back to the beginning of season one when he first started avoiding her because he was making assumptions about how she would feel about him hanging around. Now the rules are reversed where Marin is in a situation where she is overly self-conscious about how Gojo feels about her. Those insecurities make it hard for her to be direct with him because she's afraid of what the outcome will be and the episode portrays it in such a believable way.

That imaginary scenario of Gojo slowly coming up with excuses to avoid her because of how awkward their friendship could be after a rejection felt similar to what I have personally been through on both ends. There wasn't anything huge or overly dramatic, it's just awkward and uncomfortable. I don't think Gojo would do any of those things necessarily, but Marin can't rule it out because from her perspective, he has shot down the idea numerous times when the two of them have been confronted about being a couple. It was usually played up for laughs, but the show never shied away from how his intense rejection made her feel. Personally, I think Gojo does have feelings for Marin, he's just not at that stage in his character development to where he can accept that just yet. Him rejecting Marin is more about him still looking out for her rather than him being appalled at the very idea. But from Marin's perspective, it's very natural for people to be close but not want to be romantically involved.

Last week's episode ended with things being very comedic. I knew nothing was going to happen as far as physical intimacy between Gojo and Marin, but the show utilizes this misunderstanding as an inciting incident for Marin's character development. Marin always seemed very direct and open about a lot of things, including her interest in sexual media. However, appreciating that media and being open to jumping into that kind of physical relationship are two completely different things. She doesn't deny the fact that she wants to have a physically intimate relationship with Gojo. But before, she always just sort of went with everything because there weren't many consequences or stakes. She's the kind of girl who will joke with you about keeping a condom on you as a good luck charm without feeling threatened. But now, being forced to be overly aware of your physical boundaries and connection to another person suddenly makes everything feel a lot more real for better and for worse. I don't know how this season is going to end, considering that there are stray plot points all over the place. But the rest of the show is now going to delve into Marin developing her ability to confront those awkward situations, and I am all for it.

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My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.