© あfろ・芳文社/野外活動プロジェクト
Laid-Back Camp is more than just an anime. It's a soft blanket, a warm cup of ramen noodles, a breath of cool, fresh forest air, a cloudless night sky, the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, and a glimmer of embers shining in the fire pit. Laid-Back Camp is structural. Even though this third season comes with behind-the-scenes and front-of-the-scenes changes, these girls and their camping escape still entice audiences to hit the grass.
The studio and staff transition between the second and third seasons is notable. There is no other way. Rather than repeat my thoughts, I'll direct you to my article about the premiere in the Preview Guide, because all the points I made there still cover three episodes. As for my biggest problem, the compilation, I would say that I'm getting more and more acclimated to the new style with each new episode. I barely noticed the disconnect in some scenes, but other sequences would pull me out of my reverie because of how poorly the characters blended into their settings. And sometimes, it seems like they didn't even bother using a filter on the photo. However, it's not the deal-breaker I feared it might become, so that's the important part. The campy, laid-back spirit still exists. The original Afro text still shines through.
The third episode proves Laid-Back Camp still has juice. Rin and Ayano's motorbike tour through the Oigawa (Oi River) area highlights a region of Japan I'd never heard of before, and it exemplifies the series' trademark light-hearted humor. stories as well as a real appreciation of local color. That's exactly what I love most about this show. It's an animated travel magazine that allows me to vicariously experience corners of this planet that I might never have visited before. On that level, I can understand the philosophy behind all those lightly edited photos layered over backgrounds. These are real places and the series invites you to visit them. You can continue your tour on that bridge. You can eat some smashed curry. And even though you may not live in Japan, there are still attractions and destinations you can visit in your area. It's a big world out there.
I also love Laid-Back Camp because it shows how the human mind works in these environments. Rin and Ayano's content in the third episode both talks about the innate appeal of a bridge on a nature trail. It was like a primal urge. If I see a bridge on a walk, I will try to cross it. When the girls saw that particularly long suspension bridge and commented, “The boy is so big,” it was true. When Nadeshiko abandoned her eating plan to enjoy pork skewers, it was true. That is what it means to be human. They are small, unremarkable moments, shared with others or enjoyed alone. There is profundity in the ordinary. Kurt Vonnegut wrote that we were put on this planet to fart. I think the ladies of OutClub would agree.
To that end, it's interesting to see the broad scope that Laid-Back Camp applies to its outdoor activities. The third episode's cross-country trip and powerful railroad propaganda make up the more lavish finale, while the second episode celebrates smaller victories. Ayano decisively rejects more expensive equipment in favor of a pocket stove, a cheap tent, and a cup of hot cocoa. While these may not be long-term investments, they allow her to enjoy the camping life and she can decide if it is the life for her. In a parallel sense, Aoi comments on how buying cheap goods initially made them connect with Rin and Ena. There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes it involves imagining how hot your friend would be with shorter hair and other times it's marveling at the perfect image of Chikuwa lounging in a dog tent worth His 35,000 yen.
I enjoyed Ayano's heightened presence. It's the same in these early episodes. She has a slightly sharper perspective than the rest of the cast (though still within the comfortable limits of iyashikei), so she adds different colors to her lines. For example, you won't hear Nadeshiko call Rin a weirdo. I really like Tomoyo Kurosawa's classic typography. Ayano is also a stark reminder that change is not inherently terrible. It seems like she would fit in perfectly with the main cast. I'm starting to think this season will definitely be lighter due to the new staff and studio, but there's a lot that could surprise and delight me.
The final test for Laid-Back Camp will always be the level of comfort I feel when watching it and so far, I've felt very cozy. Although I felt a little nervous watching Nadeshiko make all those train transfers, that had more to do with my neurosis than anything else. She is a big girl. She can handle it herself. The show's return is like the hug of an old friend, both happy and regretful. The third episode ends when Nadeshiko's train passes over the bridge that Rin and Ayano crossed. They are on different paths. They see different things. But they will meet each other all the same and will tell each other about it.
Ranking episode 1:
Episode 2 ranking: Episode 3 ranking:
Comfort Camp Season 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Steve is on Twitter while it lasted. Watching this show again will make him feel guilty about going on more hikes. You can also catch him chatting about trash and treasure on This Week in Anime.