[DreadBringer]

About dismissing Liar as just small fry before, indeed his power is utilized in more destructive manner here, at least among the main cast, tricking W that Accel is a Dopant which makes W turn against him. Akiko tries to interfere with her dual slippers, both left and right, but got tricked by Liar as well to make her think that she's a tanuki... redirecting her into attacking a tanuki statue. I don't know about Liar deciding to trick Akiko as well, a normal human interfering in a 2 Riders fight which won't seem to be impactful, unless somehow the slipper slap will return W back to his senses. Terui realizes that the reason he thought he beat Liar was the Liar's ability as well, making Terui believed that he connected his A-Slasher and he shattered his Memory when he did neither. Liar's motivation is just to be a sadist who revels in other people's suffering and collecting their tears in washi papers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 24 - “L ON THE LIPS - YOU’RE THE LIAR”

It’s nice that this one can end with the realization that Jimmy and Yukiho aren’t in a parasocial relationship, they’re in a burgeoning love story. It’s a testament to how we lie to ourselves to avoid putting ourselves out there, and mistake our own desires for something else. That, along with the Liar Dopant’s crush on Wakana, and Doctor Slenderman’s whole Maybe Inappropriate For Kids medical examination of Saeko’s Maybe Inappropriate For Kids Dopant form, gives us an episode that runs the gamut of love stories: from unrealized puppy love to Basically Second Base.

Yukiho claims Jimmy's the one that brought joy in her depression, thus she wanted to return the favor, by asking Liar for help. I feel like this isn't enough explanation for her attraction to Jimmy and his music, she just listens and somehow being the weird one to get attached to that, I mean the scene doesn't seem to play it in parodic ways, so I'd want a proper explanation in this, I feel that, bringing joy in people isn't limited to music. She somehow doesn't see anything wrong in this, even if she admits that it's for selfish desire (her sake) before, and that there are other people than loved ones who got the short stick from this, Jimmy undeservingly winning insults all the other competitors who worked hard as well. She gets lecture from Shotaro to not toy with Jimmy's feelings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Like, highlight of the highlights has to be Shotaro chasing after Jimmy on the beach, with voiceover of Shotaro mentioning how weird it is for these two to be chasing one another on a beach at sunset while carrying a white guitar as birds take off. It’s very weird! But it’s the best thing, because it’s all Shotaro trying to tell a deluded try-hard that he knows what it’s like, and to maybe stop leaning into every melodramatic idea in his head. (I love that this is basically Jimmy’s version of Shotaro quitting both his jobs in the Begins Night movie, and Shotaro immediately knows what stupid way he chose to theatrically turn his back on the past, so he knows where Jimmy would be. Amazing.) It’s a charming sequence that leverages Shotaro’s most embarrassing/memorable traits to help a deluded fraud realize that the point of art isn’t fame, it’s expressing what’s in your heart. This is Shotaro telling a guy not to let other people’s perception change your dreams, and it’s as sweet and poignant as it is vaguely regrettable. (Shotaro could maybe stand to dial back some of his cosplay detective stuff!)

Yukiho's action being painted as in the wrong does display of him feeling betrayed by his only fan, his "achievements" coming from a big lie, though Shotaro still hides the truth of Sokichi to Akiko. Though, Shotaro points out that the big lie is caused by Jimmy himself, shifting blames and running away from truth despite knowing how bad he is, though he still has passion about music despite being bad. This'd show that admitting mistake isn't enough by its own, you'd have to do self-evaluation as well instead of just blaming others, like for this case. Jimmy should take into account of the booing audience as well other than Yukiho and check if there's something wrong (all of them) in his singing. Shotaro convinces Jimmy to make his own decisions as well, which is what his mentor taught him.

And for the show.... while Jimmy shows up at Fuuuuuutic Idol, to dedicate a song for Yukiho, the show doesn't let the audience hear his singing lol, but instead the show plays Cyclone Effect while showing W and Accel's battle against Liar. The reason Cyclone Effect was played instead is because Jimmy's still terrible, as the judge speaks the truth now without the influence of Liar, but they admit that he's passionate and encourages him. Yukiho notes that it's a love song, and Shotaro reports that Jimmy now works in the same recycling plant as her. Is this supposed to be a message of focusing on those who love you and forget the ones who don't?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Beyond that, we get the iconic climax of Philip dressing up as Wakana, because – as Terui of all people points out – Philip actually cuts a more Wakana silhouette than Akiko does. (Not wrong! Philip’s a great Wakana!) It’s a neat idea, tricking the Liar Dopant, and it just plays into this two-parter’s hard work on crafting a story that’s both clever in the moment, and thoughtful overall. This was a weird story, but one that is remarkably coherent and always kept a sense of stakes. One of my favorite W two-parters! Truly!

Oh I remember now that Wakana got to play a part in the main cast, or rather indirectly due to her popularity. Sawada is a fan of Wakana's radio show, which Philip figures out due to him using phrases from Wakana's radio show, and it got aired after Phillip calls her, and that she'd plan to meet and interview Radiowave Clown. I've been wondering about Wakana's behavior to non-Phillip folks, other than being playful to her sister for bonding with Isaka or helping Kirihiko. She's apparently waving at her fans, but I still can't figure out if it's sincere or putting up an act now... eh this is what fascinates Phillip about her. And true, they exploit Philip's pretty boy traits to have him crossdress as Wakana, devastating Akiko.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

DIE-A MEMORIES

-The Saeko examination scene… hoo boy. INCREDIBLY horny, at a level where I sort of can’t believe it made it to air. Dude is basically drooling over the Taboo suit – itself pretty goddamn risque! – while he grips and caresses it. Fun twist that his kink is Dopants, but, like… my dude. At least Saeko was also into it?

She's not called the Taboo Dopant for nothing.... yeah it's rather creepy with Isaka admiring Saeko's body as Taboo Dopant, with Isaka explaining this as him being doctor specializing in Dopant body. Isaka hypes up Saeko as someone who can beat Terror Dopant and become the head of Museum as well which he'd help her out in that... nah, it's about your abilities, not about how your body looked/felt like, this is like those who downplay Kamen Rider final form's power due to looking worse than lesser forms. Despite the creepy approach, Saeko takes an interest in Isaka that he affects her like no man did in her life.