English Dub Review: Liar Game “Yokoya/Fissures”
Overview (Spoilers Below):
Yokoya
The game begins, and both teams lay out the strategies they will follow in the opening rounds.
Fissures
Kikuzawa tests his surefire method for detecting contraband, while Akiyama and Nao try to figure out Yokoya.
Our Take:
The previous episode introduced viewers to a new round that’ll surely test the contestants’ strategic abilities and capacity for lying. Known as the “Contraband Game”, the round has Nao and the others smuggling money from the “enemy country”, while the volunteering “guard” guesses the amount of money inside the briefcase. Unsurprisingly, this is another “game” that’s initially seen as complicated regarding its rules and conditions, particularly those involving money. But after seeing multiple rounds, it becomes a bit more understandable as the stakes are gradually raised. Speaking of stakes, this week’s episodes seek to raise them even higher compared to the previous rounds we had to endure.
The reason is that Nao and the others are pitted against the other nine players who made it to the third round, and they’re not here to play around. However, the only member of the opposing team that could pose a problem is Norihiko Yokoya, whom Narco states is his strongest player. After watching this episode, I can understand why. Yokoya’s expertise in accurately guessing the amount has put Nao and the others at a disadvantage. Heck, even Akiyama appears to be no match for Yokoya’s “psychic” capabilities. I guessed that Yokoya isn’t actually human at all based on how well he’s been guessing left and right…or he could’ve cheated. However, the second episode showed that Yokoya has some extra help from within the Day team: Kikuzawa.
“Yokoya” delivers an enticing way of concluding the season’s first half, while “Fissures” commences its second half through the even deeper truths within the competition. In addition to continuing the “Contraband Game”, the episodes introduce a new antagonist who may be sharper and more formidable than Yuji in terms of his “controlling” status. Additionally, “Fissures” reflected on the desire to control people through fear, notably Kikuzawa’s history with Yokoya, who is revealed to be his high school bully. With this truth revealed, the team will have to find a way to take back control of this competition, if you know what I mean.
