© あfろ・芳文社／野外活動プロジェクト
I'm a bit disappointed. When an episode title mentions Chikuwa by name, to me, it's a promise of at least 20 minutes of Chikuwa content. Give me a day in the life of Chikuwa. Whenever Chikuwa isn't on screen, all the other characters have to ask “Where's Chikuwa?” Alas, that's not what Laid-Back Camp delivered this week. What we got was another collection of our campers as they enjoyed the cherry blossoms. Even though it wasn't as chihuahua-ish as I wanted it to be, it was still a good episode.
Rin and Nadeshiko's arc continues their story from last week. Of all the character developments this season, I think Nadeshiko's obsession with vintage trains was the most unexpected but also the most welcome. Her smug aura when she sent Rin a selfie on the train was as real as can be. It's also an interest that fits the series' usual MO, as foreshadowed by the mention of a train museum that Nadeshiko might visit on her next solo camping trip. It's the kind of thing that gets you out of the house—and considering Japan's developed rail system, there's certainly no shortage of rail-related entertainment for future Nadeshiko to partake in.
I also liked the wistful feel of both of their pieces this week. Nadeshiko, who is about to become a senior in high school, asks her older sister what she wants to do after college. However, Sakura couldn't answer her. That's a big question, and it's where your mind can wander to when meditating on your natural surroundings. This is a subtle character beat — and that's all it needs to be. Like a pinch of salt, it gives these characters enough introspection to flesh out the flavor of the rest of the film. Rin's flashback serves a similar purpose, as it reminds us how closely memories can be tied to a place. A glance at it teleports Rin back in time to the back seat of her parents' car. In other words, traveling is, paradoxically, another way to reconnect with your home.
But that's enough love. Chikuwa is the real star of this episode. He was soft, wearing a hoodie and fitting snugly into Ena's duffel bag. 10/10. A victory. Despite the new season's other visual blemishes, studio 8-Bit certainly got Chikuwa right. I could watch that dog waddle for days. His handsome appearance also attracted the attention of a young artist with double braids. When she and her ribbon-wearing friend started pondering which club to join when they entered high school, we all knew where this was going. Even if you ignore their cameo in the OP, they're still two directionless soon-to-be freshmen with a penchant for junk food. In other words, they were a natural fit for OutClub's misfit group. I suspect we'll see much of their matriculation since the season is almost over, but it's good to look over the horizon and see the series continue to branch out in natural ways. If I had to guess, I'd bet that Ema's destiny is to become a landscape artist—and I couldn't imagine a more perfect addition to the cast than little Bob Ross.
Aki ends the episode with her first solo camping adventure, and her choice of activities reflects her personality quite well. I can't picture Rin or Nadeshiko making mocktails on a whim, but it certainly suits Aki to a T—as does her overzealous use of habanero powder. She is spicy. If you've seen the movie, it should come as no surprise that out of the club members, she grew up the most like Toba-sensei. It's also fitting that she put all the effort into her drink but went with a simple stir-fry of potatoes and sausage for her meal. Laid-Back Camp's food offerings are especially baroque this season, so it's a fun reminder that you don't have to go wild to eat well outdoors. Don't forget that it all starts with Cup Noodle.
Aoi's sudden interjection ends the episode on a humorous note. I mean, Laid-Back Camp having a cliffhanger is funny in itself. The comfortable ethos would prevent its existence, but we are still here. And overall, this was a strong episode—a scattered episode but one where all those shots landed. I had a relaxing time. Honestly, I occasionally like to give an episode review that simply says, “I had a relaxing time.” That wouldn't be professional for me but that's the way it is. I leave this program certain weeks. Sometimes, words are not the vibe; vibe is vibe. And Laid-Back Camp season 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
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Laid-Back Camp Season 3 is currently airing.
Steve is on Twitter while it lasted. Watching this show again will make him feel guilty about going on more hikes. You can also see him chatting about trash and treasure on This Week in Anime.
