After the weakest ep of the season by a good margin, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru rebounds decisively this week. Having less focus on the Ouran satire obviously helped. Having some serious focus on the romance angle obviously helped (a lot). But I think this show just generally works better when it focuses on character. That can obviously be tied in to the cosplay theme – indeed, this episode did that. But the main spotlight here was Marin and Wakana and how this experience feels for them.
When it’s on Bisque Doll has a springy energy and positive vibe that’s hard to resist. Teenagers who act like teenagers pretty believably definitely helps with that, and I think the far more cheeky directorial style this season plays that element up too. One element of the first season that didn’t get enough attention was just how much Wakana overworks himself for Marin’s benefit (and not only hers). I was happy to see that get some spotlight this week. We’ve always seen that Gramps was aware of this problem (I mean, Wakana is aware of it himself) but Marin less so.
To be blunt, it’s kind of dubious whether Marin can be much help. Nevertheless it’s still important that she try. And because he’s in love with her, that alone probably helps some. It’s not just the pageant thing, running himself ragged for Marin is Gogo-kun’s default mode (I’m still not sure she’s aware of how true that is yet). Obviously Marin making a “bento” for Wakana was cute, and a nice kicker for their relationship. Maybe even of some practical benefit for him, since even as training-wheels as her “cooking” in (spam musubi the first two days), it probably beats bread from the school store in keeping a growing lad going (never mind the time spent waiting in line).
As for the pageant, we find out that Marin is only going to get one minute to make an impression on the audience (I’m not clear on whether they’ll vote on the winners or there will be actual judges). This side of things doesn’t interest me a whole lot to be honest – host clubs real or fictional just seem dumb (and the real ones are kind of socially destructive IMO). But in narrative terms this means Marin is going to have to make a big impact quickly, and the girl gang decides on a call-and-response with the guys in class. And then we have the Rei suit itself, which Wakana is finally ready to have Marin try on.
Marin has once more attempted to “help” here, trying to sew on a button in Gojo’s absence, and it’s very much another “it’s the thought that counts” moment. And as with the bento it does count – in the former case his appreciate sets her heart a-fluttering big-time, and he’s clearly invigorated at the idea that she wants to support him. It’s as training-wheels as her cooking relationship wise. but they are at least rolling forward. The class gets a look at Rei’s suit and squees all over it, boys and girls alike. But it’s clear from Gojo’s expression that something isn’t right.
A moment like this is a good reminder of why being Wakana is hard. He’s a perfectionist, which is a blessing for his vocation but a curse for his physical well-being. Not even Kitagawa-san sees anything wrong, but Wakana instantly realizes the suit is too big – because he sized it when Marin wasn’t wearing her femininity-restraining hardware (shapewear). There’s never a question in his mind that he’s going to fix it – the toll the extra work takes on him never even factors in. And Marin would never say no – in part because she still doesn’t realize just how difficult what Wakana does really is. There’s no malice in it at all, it’s innocent lack of awareness – but I do think that sooner or later that circuit is going to have to close if their relationship is going to progress.
The post Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru (My Dress-up Darling) Season 2 – 05 appeared first on Lost in Anime.
