Laid-Back Camp

Episode 4

In a shocking twist, this episode of Laid-Back Camp involves very little actual camping. Instead, the focus this week is on the preparations and travel that occur before any tents get set up. Nadeshiko and the other members of the Outdoor Activities Club prepare for their first excursion by trying to assemble a DIY alternative to expensive winter sleeping bags. Rin is still sticking with her solo trips, and the long distance to her next campsite requires something a little more powerful than her usual bicycle. As she sets out on her scooter road trip, the rest of the girls brace themselves for a long walk uphill.

Founding club members Chiaki and Aoi get more screen time this week, and their sleeping bag antics offer a clearer picture of the dynamics within the group. Chiaki seems to be the unofficial leader of the group, and her bombastic announcements remind me a little of Madarame from the early seasons of Genshiken. (Maybe it's just the glasses.) Aoi acts as something of a counterbalance for both Chiaki and Nadeshiko, providing mild-mannered reactions to their hijinks. With Nadeshiko thrown in as the eager new girl, the three of them complement one another reasonably well. As they scavenge the school for cheap materials to wrap Chiaki in, each character manages to contribute something to the ensuing comedy. Given a little more time to grow into their roles, these girls could easily develop the kind of rapport that allows breezy, conversational humor to fit naturally into their interactions.

It's interesting that Laid-Back Camp is still having Rin do her own thing, and at times it almost feels like she's a world away from the rest of the cast. To the show's credit, this approach does seem to be working out for now. While the other girls provide the zanier “we don't quite know what we're doing” antics, Rin's part of this episode offers a quieter and subtler style of comedy. These jokes rely on good timing, as seen with the two vans full of dogs, along with solid delivery during Rin's inner monologues. While her character does run the risk of running past “deadpan” and into “monotone” territory, Nao Tōyama's performance has generally kept Rin on the right side of that line. As curious as I am to see how Rin would fit into that larger group dynamic, the different tone that her solo adventures provide adds worthwhile variety to the show.

The two separate trips also bring a wider range of locations into the mix, and the new settings are nicely matched to the characters who visit them. The open roads and quaint little restaurant are a good fit for Rin's trip, while the brighter café is more appropriate for the livelier members of the Outdoor Activities Club. These kinds of details matter more in this genre than they would elsewhere, since atmosphere is such a high priority here. This is an area in which Laid-Back Camp continues to hit the mark, delivering another episode that is relaxing to watch above all else.

The consequence of that calming mood is that Laid-Back Camp remains very lightweight, with little to offer in terms of a compelling narrative. It'd be foolish to expect this show to bust out any big twists or cliffhangers, but there is still room for it to grow within the scope of its genre. The most memorable slice-of-life titles manage to sneak some meaningful insights or poignant moments into their storylines, and this is something Laid-Back Camp hasn't really gotten around to yet. Considering how well it's done with the more basic stuff in these early weeks, I think this series could benefit from a little more ambition on the storytelling side of things. Go on, Laid-Back Camp. Tell me what camping really means to you.

Rating: B

Laid-Back Camp is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.