Harem Camp

HOLY F*CK???!!! HOW THE HECK DID I MISS THIS???!!! Oh well… You see, when I first heard of Harem Camp, I thought this was the much needed ‘male targeted’ series to counter that wholesome (and extremely boring!) anime about a group of cute girls doing camping. That’s right. Here I was, thinking this was going to be so much more ‘entertaining and a whole lot of fun’ with a little bit of funny fanservice hijinks on the outdoors. So I thought. Thus it baffled me why this series was not on the seasonal list of animes even more so when it aired back in the final quarter of 2022. Did it slip my radar somehow? Yup, the thought of as well as the huge tag labelling as HENTAI, I somehow missed that sign and only realized so until I watched the first episode. Oh… Oh… OOOHHH… No wonder… So I got a little more than I bargained for on this sex camp…

Episode 1
Kensuke Yamamichi is camping alone in the mountains when suddenly 3 lost girls approach him. You can tell that they are not prepared for camping. Uh huh. Wearing those kind of clothes in the mountains?! He offers them to stay and of course he thinks he can get lucky with them. Too bad when Haruki Azuma shows up, that killed his libido thinking these girls belong to this dude. Haruki doesn’t think they should stay with this creep but what choice do they have? So as they camp for the night, obviously a single tent is too tight to have 5 people. Yamamichi is still drunk so he tries to get lucky with the one sleeping next to him. As he gropes, he is shocked he is fondling Haruki. But here’s the surprise: Haruki is actually a girl! Now that he thinks about it, she is kinda cute so he continues to molest her. Haruki definitely is against this but you know, the script says she must be turned on by this rape and since she is feeling so good, she lets all this slide. Party is over when he cums all over her thighs! He gets away with it since he calls her cute. Sweet dreams.

Episode 2
Haruki is acting strange the next morning. The girls decide to hit the hotsprings so Yamamichi tells them where to go. Along the way when there is a forked path, Aki Minami tells them to go ahead first since she forgot something. Yamamichi is waiting at the hotspring to peek at the girls. However to his shock, Aki is here. He is busted since she knows he is here to peep on them. Oh well. I guess that’s then end of the voyeurism. And the start of sex! Because Aki tells him to f*ck her. And f*ck her real hard!!! This must be so much better than voyeurism. At the end of the good time, Aki hints she knows he did in Haruki is well. To keep this a secret, they think it’s best not to see each other again. As school begins, the girls will have a new replacement teacher. Guess what? It’s Yamamichi!!!!

Episode 3
While Aki is more forgiving, Haruki isn’t so for doing, uhm, let’s say he did stuffs on her. It seems Aki wants Yamamichi to become the advisor of their camping club. He agrees because he knows some camping stuffs (and of course Aki ‘threatening’ she’ll reveal some stuffs if he refused). Hey, at least he might have a chance to get lucky with them. Like real soon. Because Natsuki Kitamura comes to help clean the clubroom with him. It’s one of the sleaziest reasons for them to have sex. Uh huh. She really wanted to see him again and just like that, he lets her have her way with him. The standard hentai stuff and thankfully they finish up before the rest arrive. Yup, all cleaned up and nothing dirty left behind. Get what I’m saying?!

Episode 4
Yay! We’re going camping again! Of course Yamamichi must tag along since he has a car and of course as Haruki puts it, he’ll get all the necessary items for the camp for them, RIGHT?! Are you girls seriously interested in camping? So we see him do all the work setting up while they laze around. Except for Natsuki. She’s helping out so this makes the rest too want to help out. Because Natsuki has been flirtatiously close to him, this makes Aki a bit jealous. So when all the girls are outside cooking, time for this vixen to lure him in and invite him to f*ck her ass! You think this guy is going to pass up this chance! Thank goodness he brought his condom so he can f*ck he real hard! YEAH! What a wonderful start to the camp and hope they aren’t full from this. Once they’re done, suddenly they hear somebody about to come in.

Episode 5
Touko Saionji is looking for her dog but only sees sensei and Aki. Oh, looks like they managed to cover up in time. Nothing suspicious here. Later as they eat, Haruki bans Yamamichi from sharing the same sleeping tent with them. Go sleep in the car. Heh, trying to vouch for human rights, huh? Haruki doesn’t care! This causes the rest to think something is wrong because Haruki has always been cool and never loses composure. Of course Haruki blames him. While the girls take a bath, Yamamichi plans to peep on them. But what’s this? He realizes he is in the wrong side when he sees Touko changing. Shy girl turns into sexual monster because after seeing the shape of his dick, she likes it?! Then she makes him obey like a dog. Consider this his doggie training. She does feet job on him until he cums and then makes him lick her pussy till she cums. Best training ever?

Episode 6
Since Touko is taking too long, Aki and Natsuki come to check. Yeah, caught them in the act. Aki realizes sensei has done in all the students and wants to continue this training and so the orgy continues. However Natsuki is in shock and devastated that she thought she was the only one whom he was f*cking. But with Aki pressuring her, she won’t lose out and joins the orgy. The best foursome ever? Yeah, when you can make all the women cum at the same time… Haruki comes in looking for everybody and sees this unholy act. Yeah, everyone caught with their pants down. She becomes mad that he has been f*cking her friends. Is a slap going to be effective? Haruki wants to hand Yamamichi to the cops although Aki cautions her in doing that. If that happens, no more camping club. Nobody to help them with camping and they’ll lose their ride (and to ride the dick too, AHAHA!!!). While everyone else is ready to forgive him and continue to let this convenient guy be by their side, Haruki isn’t impressed and runs away. Yamamichi goes to look for her as he has the rest wait at the camp since it is getting dark.

Episode 7
Well, Haruki is lost. Luckily Yamamichi is here to bring her back. However en route home, she needs to go to the toilet. Luckily for her, there is a stall nearby. Too bad there are lots of bugs! Yeah, bugs are attracted to lights. Well, if she can’t do it in there, then it’s the bushes. After she is done with her business, she realizes Yamamichi isn’t around and gets scared. He returns with toilet paper as a scared Haruki clings onto him. Yup, your cheesiest excuse for the sex scene. This sexy Haruki turns him on as he starts fingering her with pretence to help clean her. Yeah, the other excuse is that she’s too scared to move or rather she’s feeling good from his molestation. Time to take this to the next level because as he is about to put his dick in, she stops him. Don’t want to do this on the outside. So she’s saying she’s willing if it’s inside? That’s how any guy would interpret it, no?

Episode 8
So technically f*cking inside a car still counts. Haruki allows him to get inside her because she thinks back she has been tomboyish all the time and the one protecting her friends from being hit by those unruly guys. Now she is being treated as a woman so it’s alright, right? Yeah. The most sorry of excuses to get f*cked! Heh. At least she gets done in like a woman. And yeah, best car sex ever? At the end of all that good time, Haruki gets embarrassed and punches sensei. Thanks a lot. Next day, it seems Yamamichi has no recollections of what happened after finding Haruki. Yeah, he thought that make out session was all a dream! Back to reality as he fixes the broken gas stove while Aki cheekily hints at Haruki that she has f*cked sensei. Her mouth says no but her body reaction says… Then all the girls fight over his attention. Better take responsibility equally for all of them! Harem camp or hell camp?

Camping Sex Is So In-tents!
Oh well. It’s the same as always. Honestly, I wasn’t totally surprised or bored while binge watching the entire series. Probably my mind was already on auto numb after the first episode. This is after all a short pseudo hentai series so what else is there to expect? We’re all here for the pseudo sex parts only, right? Right. Perverts.

Feels like a long time ago since I have watched a pseudo hentai series. I mean, not including that raping healer one. If you remember, a few years back, they slipped 1 pseudo hentai series into the normal anime season. A couple of years later, it suddenly died out. No more seasonal pseudo hentai series? Well, probably it was good since those who really want to watch this kind of genre will have a different anime list for them. Yeah, you’d be surprise the amount of 2D smut they are churning out every season. For better or worse, I suppose shows like this won’t ever get listed like this ever again. At least not in the near possible future. Hence this was why this show flew undetected under my radar and I was unaware of it until only recently. Yeah, speaking of which, I don’t even remember how I actually stumbled upon this. After all, Harem Camp doesn’t really sound like a hardcore porn title to begin with.

As usual, have to touch on the sex part because what else is there to talk about? Like I’ve said, after taking a reasonably ‘long’ break from watching such pseudo hentai series, long story short, it didn’t turn me on. Not sure whether this is good news or bad news. Because it proves that I’m not really addicted to this kind of genres and will scour the internet to find more or even hardcore series. On the other hand, could it be that now that I have grown a bit older, that libido inside of me is slowly burning out? Oh wow. How worrisome. I guess I don’t have a girlfriend or wife to make sure of this but whatever! As far as this series is concerned, the sex scenes are pretty standard and quite predictable. Porn logic takes over and thus the dumbest reason to f*ck or the female do something stimulating to the penis of the guy until he cums while the ladies all have super big busty tits. Refractory period doesn’t exist here.

Of course, the genitals are blurred out but is it me or does the mosaic seem minimal? Even with a bit of imagination, you can clearly tell (in your mind) how those genitals look like. Yeah, good thing our girls here love to shave their pussy clean. It might not be new to many but for me, this is the first time such series having 4 different girls to be f*cked. Not 1, not 2 but 4. This is what a harem should be like. So I guess this staves off the boredom of the same couple having the same kind of kinky sex in every episode. Now you have a variety to choose from and even spoilt for choice! So are we getting new members to the camping club or what? On second thought, the less women, the more share. Of his dick, that is! The camping club sure has monopolized Yamamichi’s dick.

As for the story… WHAT STORY?! Oh heck, it could have been anything but camping either. It could have been a gardening club or an outdoor nature loving club and the same sex scene and logic would still apply! Yeah, camping is just a stepping stone and to provide some variation and even bait some like yours truly to think this would be an ecchi version of Yuru Camp. That’s right. Come to think of it. I think this is the biggest reason why Yuru Camp has no males in their groupie!!! Those poor girls will all lose their virginity overnight and stay away from camping forever!!! OMFG. So don’t even think about learning any camping lessons here because all you’ll get is just campy sex! HAHAHA!!! Sighs…

The characters too are so predictable and cliché. You got your psycho b*tch, the psycho slut, the psycho lover and the psycho, uhm, tsundere tomboy? Whatever. Girls in this universe must be sex maniacs and love huge cocks because otherwise the males will die of loneliness for there will be no one else to help release their love juice! HAHAHA!!! I could write crap lines like that too and I’m not even high on drugs! Anyway, you wonder if these girls actually are into camping because all I see is that they haven’t the slightest interest in it and perhaps this club is just a cover up to go f*ck their sensei. I mean, they are so ill prepared the first time (how the f*ck do you even dress like that going into the woods?!) and even in subsequent camping trips, it is Yamamichi who does and sets up everything. How convenient. Makes me think that they were lost in the first episode just to hunt and prey for a sex slave. Yamamichi hit the jackpot. Such a win-win situation for everybody because as a teacher, he gets to f*ck his young girls who will not rat on him. Losing access to the camping club is just a big load of BS and just a cover up and another way to say that they don’t want to lose their favourite dick. That’s actually how I see it!

Aki is perhaps the most boring of the girls because well, she’s your pretty standard slut who wants to f*ck. Touko is a bit curious because on the outside she is a shy person but don’t let her catch a glimpse of your erected dick because she’ll become some monster dog trainer or something. Bad dog if you don’t obey! I never thought a girl like Natsuki would actually truly have feelings for Yamamichi but tough luck she is in the wrong genre and anime. Yamamichi’s dick has been inside of everyone so too bad Natsuki, your pussy wasn’t the exclusive one. Hence, peer pressure is the only thing that is making her stay instead of walking out and finding a more faithful man or a wholesome life. Ah yes, true love so hard to come by.

Finally, Haruki your tomboyish character and the rebel. This is needed for some drama because with the other girls so willing and easy, there must be one that has to put up the resistance and seemingly against you. Because it is all so satisfactory when you get to f*ck such kind of people. It’s like a sign that they have submitted to you. Uh huh. Haruki’s mouth might say no but her body is saying yes. Thus this guilt that she looks so tomboyish but when she gets f*cked by Yamamichi, it is a privilege because he is treating her as a woman! Porn logic working at its finest, people! On a trivial note, when I first saw Haruki, it had me thinking why the f*ck as that titular character from Uzaki-chan Wa Asobitai is doing here???!!! OMFG!!! Tomboyish girl with sugoi dekai tits… Oh no! I cannot unsee this!!! Is this what Uzaki porn looks like????!!!! F*ck! Now my image of sugoi dekai has been truly tainted!!! It’s now sugoi hentai! OH NO!!!!

Also to note the ending theme, Harem Beat by our quartet camping sluts girls is a lively denpa song that would’ve been oh so cute if not for the sex theme that somewhat ruined the cutesy and innocent image of this song. I also doubt this would be a song for sex or even a camping song! And why does this song sound so familiar like the ending theme of Inu Ni Nattara Suki Na Hito Ni Hirowareta? Must be those crazy denpa vibes. And there’s an instrumental version of this if you don’t want to hear those cute squeaky girls’ voice and just want to hear the crazy techno synthesizer laden music. Which honestly, sometimes sounds a heck lot better.

Overall, this series is cheesy and crappy as it is disappointing. I give it a perfect ten(t). Heh. Just wanted to make that lame camping pun. Only sex amateurs might be turned on in seeing this. And you know, such shows are a dime a dozen on the internet and especially the dark web. So garner more experience and turn into a veteran by watching more of those shows! Otherwise, I think I’ll be waiting for the next and (boring) third season of Yuru Camp to be aired so as to blow away the disappointment of this pseudo hentai series. Better wholesome than horny. Yeah, I must be getting old. Now I’m going to sing a SpongeBob’s campfire song version of this before I go to bed…

C-A-M-P-F-U-C-K S-O-N-G song,
C-A-M-P-F-U-C-K S-O-N-G song,
And if you don’t think they can f*ck ‘em faster then you’re wrong.
But it’ll help if you just cum along,
C-A-M-P-F-U-C-K S-O-N-G song!
C-A-M-P-F-U-C-K S-O-N-G song!
It’ll help, it’ll help if you just cum along!
OH YEEEEEAAAAAH!

Perfect ten(t) for my humour! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Yuru Camp S2 Specials

Oh? So we’re not done yet? Well, if you buy your 2 cents worth of Blu-rays or BDs, then you’ll get a little something extra out of it. I’m talking about Yuru Camp S2 Specials. That’s right. Camping is not over for these camp whores enthusiasts. So if you still miss the second season and can’t wait until with certainty the next season is confirmed, then these couple of mini specials that last 5 minutes each should soften the blow and take away a little of that after camp blues. Hopefully.

Mystery Camp
Nadeshiko and Aoi check the box that is being delivered that contains all their camping needs. How convenient. This app allows you the check all the equipment you need and they’ll send it to you. Oh, Chiaki not here. How? Order her through this app! Did I tell you not how convenient this is?! Now we see Nadeshiko entering a strange land for her solo camp. But this is no nature park. Why, it is some concrete jungle with security cameras everywhere and high electric fences! Gulp. What kind of camp did she sign up for? Well, after checking in with the robot receptionist, we see her do hard labour making some weird toys for hours. Rations taste one kind and burning them isn’t enough to keep you warm. Then she sleeps in a cardboard box instead of a camp bed. HOLY SH*T! THIS IS A F*CKING LABOUR CAMP!!! OMFG!!! Welcome to Dystopia Camp! Twilight Zone, Yuru Camp style? Luckily it was all a dream as Nadeshiko wakes up by Rin’s side in their lakeside camp. As Rin grills marshmallows, Nadeshiko is thinking of all the delicious food combinations she can make with s’mores. Yummy. Rin gives her marshmallows when it is done. Time to sink in. Uhm… Tastes like some mushroom…

Rin’s Travels
This is the historic moment of mankind! Man is about to land for the first time on Mars. As the spaceman floats down into the Red Planet’s orbit, it is going to be the biggest one step for mankind when… Oh… OH MY… WHAT THE F*CK IS THIS?! Rin camping and grilling meat on Mars’ surface?! WTF???!!! WHAT THE FFFFFUUUUU???!!! I can understand why those NASA guys are so disappointed. Yeah, they spent billions and years on this expedition and some Japanese camping girl beat them to it!!! F*cking hilarious!!! Oh my God indeed! Turns out this is some of the wild stories our camp enthusiasts are telling. Then they shift their story to what if Rin goes travelling around Japan on her bike. For example, Hokkaido. Nadeshiko would love the idea since she’ll get to eat lots of stuffs. As for Shikoku, if she is going to visit all 88 temples and this pilgrimage might take months. Travelling around the county to look for a hotspring camp isn’t so bad too. After travelling in the cold, the hot and warm bath helps in relieving your fatigue. Rin thinks everyone should do it themselves so they start daydreaming how good it would be. But what kind of camping does Rin really want to do? She hadn’t thought about it but if she gets her real bike licence, she wants to go anywhere she wants. Satou hopes to go to Mars by bike! Holy sh*t! NASA gonna be so disappointed again! Biker Mice From Mars?!

Camp-vengers Assemble!
Oh well, I guess that’s pretty much okay and enjoyable in its own mini right. I mean, that’s what camping is all about, right? Telling outrageous stories are part and parcel of camping, right? So yeah, remember that before you start to scoff off at these girls for talking nonsense while camping. Better than putting your face into your handphone screen and be absorbed at all the social media online nonsense, right?! So each of the specials have their mini punch line and charm like the labour camp in the first and then the wacky Mars landing in the second. It was worth the few seconds of my chuckle. Damn, I hope they do more of these mini specials and if not perhaps the next season could follow this crazy tone. Then maybe I’ll be more interested in following these girls to go camping around. Next stop, stay tuned as Rin, Nadeshiko and the rest take on and camp on Andromeda! Yeah!

Yuru Camp S2

Finally it’s here. You know those bunch of camp whores, oops, sorry I mean camp addicts? Oh wait. That’s too strong a word with negative connotation. Anyway, after being warmed up (or trolled, depending on your sentiments) by that mini room camping edition, our camp lovers will once again show us the beauty of outdoor camping with Yuru Camp S2. So if you’re done watching all the nonsense that not only the anime industry has brought to you for the past year, then you need some calm and healing anime like this one. After all, Corona virus is still around so you can’t exactly go camping outdoors and totally enjoy the wonders and beauty of nature yet. Hence this, uhm, virtual if I can so call it (perhaps in the loosest sense) camping that we all need to relax and rejuvenate. Yeah, camping in the comfort of our home. Hey, better than nothing.

Episode 1
We see a young Rin receiving a camping gear sent by grandpa. She learns how to fix it. Indoors! Not bad. Once she gets the hang of it and is ready for her solo camp, father sends her to camp out at a spot. After setting up the tent, she gathers firewood to make fire. But her matchstick couldn’t light it. Thankfully, a passing man chops the wood smaller and helps her build a mini fire pit to start a fire. Rin gets cooking her curry rice. Nope. Didn’t work out. Wasted. Then mom calls to check on her. And to also tell her that she left emergency food in the bag just in case. So she didn’t check?! Rin looking so grateful to eat this curry cup ramen. All nice and warm. I guess experience makes you wiser. We see Nadeshiko delivering New Year postcards. She takes a break with Saitou before resuming. We see all the other girls working hard at their part time jobs. But it seems Chiaki drew the end of the short stick as she is the only one who doesn’t have any off days. Coincidentally, the rest have same off days. To soothe her loneliness, they’ll get something for her. Rin plans her next camping trip. Although father has some suggestions on how to get there, mom just hopes she stays safe and not get into any traffic accidents. Rin sees an open camping site at Iwata suitable at this time for her. So remembering some doggy legend, she decides this will be her next camping journey. Can’t wait to visit another dog shrine. She leaves in the wee hours of the morning. Then she stumbles into Nadeshiko coming out of the convenience store. They chat for a while as Nadeshiko gives her a curry cup ramen for the road. See ‘ya. Have fun.

Episode 2
Rin is enjoying her beach side tour. Only if it isn’t this cold! When she stops by a shop, it seems the clerk recognizes her since they met once and for a while at the Yashajin Pass. She recommends Rin a lot of nice things so much so she comes back quickly to try out the café. Then she goes to visit the dog shrine but learns the doggie star has already passed on. This has her realize how short a dog’s life is. Then she reaches the free camping site ground and sets up her tent like a pro. This time she shaves a stick into a feather stick to make a campfire. This is better than fire starters and pine cones so you bet she is going to use this if it is more effective. So nothing else to see here, Rin enjoying her camp. Meanwhile Nadeshiko is still delivering New Year postcards while Toba drives Chiaki, Aoi and cheeky Akari who seems to be targeting Chiaki, drive up the hill to watch the first sunrise of the year. Doing what all typical Japanese would do then, they finally get a real good glimpse of the sunrise. Happy New Year! Woah. Nadeshiko still delivering those postcards? Man, she’s really got that youthful stamina. Chiaki then suggests to watch their second sunrise. Dubbed the Diamond Fuji, sunrise at its precise moment will make it look like a sparkling diamond on top. But because of its height, it will take time to reach the summit. But do our ladies have enough time to get there? You know the drill. Toba stepping on it! WOAH! SLOW DOWN! Initial D is too fast for a slow series like this!!! Eventually, they missed it and the sun is already high up in the sky. Then Chiaki realizes she got the time wrong in the first place. Everybody get her! Probably the best person is Saitou since she just woke up and wishes her pals Happy New Year. What a good sleep. Rin then gets a call from mom. Looks like the roads are all frozen and won’t be thawing anytime soon. Because of that, Rin will have to wait 2 more days and grandpa will come pick her up. Oh my. 2 extra days of boringness. Camping extension?

Episode 3
Rin tells Nadeshiko of her camp extension so the latter suggests to meet at her grandma’s place. Rin makes her journey there. Along the way, she stops by a cheap camping ground to rest as she watch the people fish and the crowd gathering to watch the sunset over the torii. We also see Nadeshiko starting her journey to grandma’s and at the same time more of Rin’s ‘adventures’ like waiting in line to buy some food but get scared when she hears others ordering in bunches of 50s! Also, she has to resist eating eels for lunch as the place is littered with those shops. Yeah, don’t want a hole in your wallet. When Rin and Nadeshiko meet up, they take pictures of seagulls hanging out at the train station. Grandma’s house is nearby but Nadeshiko suggests lunch. Eels for lunch?! Oh sh*t. And she orders top grade eel?! OMFG! Rin’s eyes pop out seeing the price!!! Don’t worry, Nadeshiko will pay! Dad gave her some cash as treat. Yeah, be grateful you can now taste every morsel of top grade eel. They arrive at grandma’s house as Nadeshiko introduces her childhood friend, Ayano Toki to Rin. What did she bring? More eel pie. Nadeshiko eating them makes them feel like eating too. This has Ayano pointing out how Nadeshiko was actually chubby. She loved eating and lazing around until Sakura forced her to exercise. Woah. So she can slim down that much in a year? But she still has stretchy cheeks and everybody still loves pinching and pulling them. They have more fun hanging out together and the best one is the top view of the city at night. This has Rin realize that she still likes solo camping as you get to do and think about things. It is a way to appreciate loneliness. That sounds like a strange way to say she’s socially awkward?! When they part, Ayano hopes to come down to Yamanashi when the weather is warmer. Next day, Rin’s grandpa is here to pick her back home.

Episode 4
Chiaki bought a tarp and they can’t wait to try it out. As they begin to set it, Chiaki realizes that she forgot the poles. Oh dear. Can’t set it up. End of camp. NOT! Chiaki ties one end to the tree and what about the other? Nadeshiko drew the short end of the stick so she’ll be the pole! Wow. It’s sure lovely sitting under this tarp. How long can Nadeshiko last as a pole? Eventually they use an easel so that works too. As Nadeshiko has been saving up from her jobs, she is really looking forward to buy a lamp for their camp. They talk about some campsites charging for firewood and looks like their own club haven’t used the ones they had since it’s too precious to burn. Meanwhile we see Saitou showing Rin about a tent for dogs she plans to get. Yeah, it’s much better and cheaper than some tents for humans. Nadeshiko tries to find more jobs nearby suitable for her but there are none. And when she finally finds one, I guess it’s a permanent job as a bus driver. One day, Sakura calls Nadeshiko to join her at a tempura bowl shop. Instantly she rushes down there. Wow. It’s such a rare treat for Sakura to call all the nice stuffs. What’s the occasion, sis? It’s Nadeshiko’s payday so it’s on her, right? Oh dear, Nadeshiko’s heart literally stopped!!! Just kidding! Actually this shop just put up a vacancy poster for a part time job. Game for it? Of course! Oh Sakura, you really trolled her good! In the end, Nadeshiko manages to save enough to buy the lantern. Such a great achievement, Aoi and Chiaki are there to take commemorative photos of her purchase! Well, she earned it. Oops, almost dropped it! CAREFUL! She tests it back home and it works wonderfully. Can’t wait to use it for the camp. Nadeshiko also shows her gratitude to Sakura as she buys a mini lighter to keep her warm since she doesn’t like the cold.

Episode 5
It’s time for Chiaki, Aoi and Saitou to go on their own camping trip. They’re going to take the Mt Fuji tour and Lake Yamanaka trip. They stop by an outdoor shop and can’t help themselves from hugging the caribou mascot. Then they think about getting a folding chair or a hammock so with the sales clerk suggesting combining them both like that, I guess they’re hooked in getting them both. They continue the journey that includes soaking in the hotspring (too comfy to get out!), sharing ice cream, talk about making a popular northern nabe called kiritanpo, buy some of its ingredients (while discussing about making Nadeshiko their wife?!), trying to visit a famous hammock café nearby but too bad it is closed for the winter and finally arriving at their campsite at Cape Ohmama. Mama Mia, what a name. They can’t wait to pitch and set up their tent at the end of the cape that makes it look like they’re camping in the middle of the lake but too bad the staff tells they can’t because it’s dangerous. And that’s the end of that wild dream.

Episode 6
The winter camp begins as the girls try out the folding chairs they bought. Cosy. A dog visits them but it turns out to belong to their camping neighbour. As they walk around the lake, they see hobbyists playing remote control planes. More chilling around with their chairs and warm drinks until they realize the temperature is getting too cold. Holy cow! It’s minus 2 degrees?! They realize because of the higher elevation, it gets even colder at night! Don’t panic… Damn, so cold their handphone batteries stop working?! Oh dear. Don’t panic… They plan on how to make campfire and keep themselves warm as night is looming. Chiaki rushes to the nearest convenience store to get some firewood (you mean they didn’t buy them when they took this trip?!). Yeah, it’s a long dash there… Meanwhile Saitou and Aoi try to head to the office but looks like the admin is closed for the day. Oh sh*t… They try to look for some firewood but nothing. ARE THEY GOING TO DIE???!!! But there’s their saviour light at the end of the tunnel. Their camp neighbour offers to come into their tepee equipped with a wood stove. Saved! So warm! Chiaki returns but is baffled to find their camp abandoned. Nobody around. In here, Chiaki! Ah, so warm. As they start cooking and eating, they hear Toba calling out to them. She fears the worse as their camp looks deserted. Don’t jump scare her by standing behind! Of course it’s lecture time from sensei. Because Rin couldn’t get through them and knowing they are camping at Yamanaka, she called her to go check on them. She chastises them for not doing proper research and be prepared for this camp because certainly their gear was not well equipped for this camp. However she also apologizes because despite knowing they were going on a camp, she should’ve asked where they were going. Yeah, good idea they should talk whenever they plan a camping trip. The neighbours offer Toba to stay. There’s alcohol. Wow. Toba sure enjoys every bit of it. The girls sleep inside Toba’s care. Next morning, they watch the beautiful sunrise. Still cold, but it’s worth it. Meanwhile Nadeshiko calls Rin just to say she wants to try solo camping?

Episode 7
Nadeshiko talks to Rin for some advice on solo camping. The usual basic stuffs like letting your family know to thorough research and preparation. Nadeshiko is all fired to make her preparations for her first solo camp. First, she tells Sakura about it. Oh no. She looks not happy. Oh sh*t. First solo camp hit a roadblock? Don’t worry. Sakura’s just trolling. After downloading an app on her handphone, she wishes her all the best. When all is done, Nadeshiko begins her exciting trip. One of them stopping at a local famous okonomiyaki diner. Yeah, the queue. Once she manages to get a seat, she is unsure what to order but with ‘pressure’ from the chef, she orders the same thing like everyone else orders. Hence, she watches the chef make the yummy okonomiyaki. That drooling, sure you’re not distracting the chef? Of course it tastes as good as it looks. Itadakimasu! Meanwhile Rin also makes her own solo travel but a stop at a café, she notices Sakura is going into the same place. WTF, Rin hiding and stalking her? Then a message from Nadeshiko showing the okonomiyaki. What a scare. Couldn’t be more surprised since Sakura now knows she is here. They end up in the café together and since Rin feels awkward with this silence, she remembers Nadeshiko saying something about Sakura’s favourite series. She brings this topic up as conversation and instantly Sakura can’t stop her enthusiasm. Did she open Pandora’s Box? Yeah, Sakura will have Nadeshiko bring their entire collection on their next camping trip. Oh sh*t… After Rin leaves, Sakura goes soak in the hotspring. Nadeshiko has finally arrived at the train station and only 5.5km to her destined campsite.

Episode 8
Nadeshiko trying to walk while covering her eyes to her campsite because looking at the scenic view of the city might spoil her excitement later?! Fortunately she reaches the site and after exploring around, she sets up her tent. A few comical mishaps but nothing biggie. Meanwhile Rin is riding to her campsite but with some roads are closed. This allows her to take some other routes that leads her to some beautiful places. Elsewhere, Sakura is pondering to get bear or deer meat. But after researching that bear meat has so much preparation before it can be cooked, deer meat it is. When Rin notices Nadeshiko has not been sending her regular message and that she is out of range, she fears the worst and decides to go check on her. A pair of sisters who are Nadeshiko’s camp neighbours, go to heat their food. They see Nadeshiko in a strange ritual? Well, she’s actually cooking her vegetables in a tinfoil. She invites them to join her eating. Delicious of course. Their dad comes to look for them since they’re taking too long. Care to join in too? Rin sees all this and is now assured. Time to head back. She almost gets a scare when she thought a ghost woman was before her! Turns out it is Sakura. Sister worried too, huh? But they have to hide since Nadeshiko is coming. She’s taking selfies with the scenic view of the city. Rin and Sakura leave and once they get signal, they receive Nadeshiko’s beautiful pictures.

Episode 9
With the solo camp done, I guess it’s time for a group camp with everybody. Yup, time to plan for the camping trip at Izu. Saitou talks to Rin and it seems she knows about her going to Nadeshiko’s campsite just to check if she’s okay. How?! Aoi and Nadeshiko learn they share the same birthday. Also, Akari wants to come along for this trip not because of the camp but to see cute capybaras in the hotspring. If her parents permit, then it’s okay. We see the gang work for some money as well as doing their part as students to study and acing their tests. With that out of the way, they can prepare for the camp with no worries. Since Toba will be renting a minivan for the trip, however Rin wants to ride her bike there since she wasn’t able to do it the last time. With dad’s help, they fix up and install additional parts to her bike. With grandpa here to help install a new windshield, he realizes the phone charger will drain the battery at this rate so he goes to town to get extra parts. Such great grandpa. Over dinner, Rin learns mom used to ride too but she can’t hear the rest since she has to turn in early as her journey starts while it is dark. As Rin gets ready to set out, looks like it’s the same for grandpa. They ride together for a while before parting ways. A short flashback shows Sakura talked to her mom about Rin worried about Nadeshiko and hoped to keep this a secret from Nadeshiko. In turn, mom talked to Saitou about it and hoped she too would keep this a secret from Nadeshiko. And that’s why…

Episode 10
The Izu trip begins. Note, this won’t be a camping episode as it will mostly be like a travelling episode as the gang will pass by local geoparks and geosites of interests. In between, they’ll stop by to rest and taste some great food. Yeah, you might forget this is a camping anime. Because Rin travelled separately, she reaches their meeting point first while the rest got stuck in a traffic jam due to the sakura festival. I wonder how many great spots Nadeshiko has missed because she slept. It is no wonder Aoi and Akari play a trick on her that when she wakes up, the camp is over and they’re preparing to go home! Wicked! Oh dear. Nadeshiko can’t believe her eyes. She’s wide awake now! More travelling and sightseeing. Toba almost fell into the booze temptation trap so this has Chiaki remind Rin and Saitou about their ‘shrimp operation’. Basically they want to buy a lobster for their turn during dinner. Since that will be expensive, her idea is to make Toba give up her booze money for the lobster! Sneaky. The problem is how. However all their worries are for naught since Toba just buys one. Because Saitou told her about it. So it wasn’t an issue in the first place… Toba messed up when she the admin of the campsite says this place has disallowed camping from many years because the land owner instituted a ban during winter many years ago. Eh? Did they not update this info on the web? To avoid sleeping in the car again, Saitou suggests calling Iida who is a veteran camper. Eventually they get a place to stay but they have to travel a distance. This is good for Chiaki’s group because they have time to prepare ‘shrimp operation’. The gang reaches Mt Misujiyama. They climb the mini mountain and enjoy the view on top. And then Aoi asks Rin if she is interested in mountain climbing. Nah. Not really. OMG… Is this a clue of a crossover with Yama No Susume???!!! Speaking of that and on a trivial note, THAT SERIES IS GETTING A FOURTH SEASON?! SAY WHAT???!!!

Episode 11
So as the gang sit about and admire the scenery, they spot a treehouse. Want one? Why are they looking at Toba? Thankfully, they don’t have time and it’s time to head to their campsite. First they stop by a hotspring to warm themselves up. Rin who has been riding all day is feeling very sleepy. So it’s no surprise that she falls asleep in the bath. After that, they start to make dinner but Rin is already in sleeping mode. What’s this she is just resting her eyes? I guess Nadeshiko won’t allow her to sleep yet and lets her demonstrate her pine cones campfire. Too bad she falls asleep midway. Next, we see the rest putting all the ingredients and seasoning for a chunky ajillo. Tasty. Not forgetting that lobster dish too. Yeah, Rin still sleepy while eating. When that is done, Nadeshiko shows off her knowledge in making alfonsino. It’s like she’s dumping everything into it? These girls should open a restaurant! I guess Rin’s still sleepy so Nadeshiko becomes her mom to prepare her for sleep. After washing up, they watch a zombie movie! Oh Nadeshiko, are you prepared?! Dead in the night, Saitou can’t sleep but looks like she notices Nadeshiko too can’t sleep. Apart from sleeping in the van, that zombie flick is to blame too. They talk how they’ve changed since moving to this place. Rin is finally awakened from her slumber. Oh. 4am. A little bit too early. Hence she goes to visit other geosites nearby. By the time it is sunrise and the rest wake up to see the message that Rin left, I guess they’re going back to sleep till she comes back. Only Chiaki is panicking about Rin ‘leaving home’. Everyone else still not bothered… Meanwhile Rin has the best time of her life. Enjoying in the hotspring all by herself. Best solo group camp ever?

Episode 12
Rin returns to her pals who are already up by that time as they get breakfast. Then they move on to the next geospot and it seems Akari is really excited for the tombolo. Of course you bet she is going to be disappointed that it is not some food as described by Aoi but just a sandy isthmus. I guess Toba is old (FORGIVE ME!) so she sits out of this one as the young ones do a mini island hopping, walking across the thin stretch of sandbars. Once done, they drive on to their next campsite but this time Rin takes the lead. Setting up camp and making dinner preparations early, more sightseeing as Nadeshiko notices Akari looking intensely at her. Earlier on, Saitou told her they were going to hold a surprise birthday party for Nadeshiko and Aoi. So keep a close watch on them. However looks like the loli got fooled again as they both know they will be celebrating their birthdays. I mean, they’ve talked about it and got the stuffs during the trip. Night fall so the birthday girls celebrate their birthday. Nice food and gifts were exchanged. Then in the wee hours of the morning, they hike up a hill so as to catch the amazing sunrise. Does not disappoint.

Episode 13
Beginning their trip up Mt Omuro, they stop by a store. What a small world after all as it is run by that family from Yamanaka. After having their fun at the mountain top, it is time for Akari to finally realize her dream of seeing capybaras in the hotspring. Hmm… Must be a mini zoo here since there are free roaming animals like peahens to pelicans to monkeys. Watching the capybaras in the hotspring… So calming… Thankfully none want to go bath with them. To add to Akari’s delight, there is a capybara petting section. Also a shop selling everything capybara! Oh little girl, do you have enough money to buy the whole store? Oh, trying to extort unpaid New Year allowance from Chiaki, eh?! With that, the gang prepare to head home and hope to do something like this again. I guess this means the Izu camp is over, right? Oh Nadeshiko, starting to feel anxious? But they say it isn’t over till all of them reaches home. Phew. Rin parts with the rest as Toba drives them back to their homes. Nadeshiko having some reminiscence of the fun they had during the camp. As everyone has gotten home, looks like Rin hasn’t reached hers yet since she hasn’t replied. Because this means the camp isn’t over, Nadeshiko has this idea. Man, I don’t know what long detour Rin took because Nadeshiko had Sakura drive her to meet at some point. Don’t tell me Rin went on a nationwide tour… Anyway, Nadeshiko was worried since she didn’t reply the messages. Rin understands those feelings because she too was worried about Nadeshiko’s solo camp. They talk about the fun they had and it’s sad that it’s all over. But yeah, they can always do it again, right? Is this a hint of another season???!!! And life returns to normal for our camp whores lovers. Till the next camping trip then.

Camp Yurumates
Okay folks, are we done yet? Time to head back to our mundane reality. Good things eventually will come to an end. As long as the passion for camping is still around, there will always be more camping adventures in the future. After all, these girls are still at a young age so you bet they’ll definitely have more camps together. When they have conquer camping all over Japan, then it is time to go camping around the world! Oh yeah! They better strike it rich in the lottery if they really want to go on a worldly camping trip. But that’s another story for another (alternate) time (line).

Honestly, the overall series is VERY BORING! That’s to put it very bluntly but before you camping fans start an angry mob to burn my house down, let me explain. I’m not saying that this series is entirely bad because otherwise, why the heck would I be watching the sequel, right? Oh yeah. Nostalgic reasons. But that’s not quite it. Anyway, I admit that this series sets out what it intends to do and that is to be a calming and relaxing anime. So no sudden plot twist in the story whatsoever. Just the very basic setting of girls enjoying their outdoor camping. That’s all. What more do you expect? That is why I am saying that if you are expecting something out of the ordinary, you are going to be very disappointed. No, I’m not saying that I was that person expecting something much more. I expected what this anime had to offer and it did not disappoint in that aspect. However. I am not an outdoor person nor am I one who loves camping (first season, I already said I wasn’t and the series failed to convert me into a camping slut, oops I mean, camping enthusiast. Hence it is not a lie when I have to admit that I caught myself yawning and bored throughout this season. Calm and relaxing, yes. But exciting and engaging, no.

So in order to give some little variety, this season feels like a mini travel discovery channel. Especially in the later half of the season where the girls do their group camp as opposed to solo camps we see in the earlier half. I suppose this to bring some awareness to us uninitiated viewers that such beautiful sites exist. Maybe we’ll go visit once the Corona virus season is over. Hopefully in 10 years. HAHA! After all, in the first season we have been introduced to the characters, their quirks and personalities so there is nothing more to expand on that. Also, this season feels it has much less camp advice. Perhaps it would be repeating itself with the usual cautions and advisories of camping outside. I mean, if you’re really interested, you can find out more by yourself. This series merely exposes you and since we’ve covered some of that in the first season, no need to repeat itself here again. So, they think of covering all the geosites properly in Japan, huh? Well, they’ve covered 12 here. Only, over a hundred more to go… Good luck!

Other than the gorgeous sites, this series is also trying to masquerade as a food channel? Yeah, this isn’t Shokugeki No Souma or Chuuka Ichiban but the food they cook looks delicious too. I guess when you’re camping, you can’t just waltz back into civilization and conveniently order your cheesecake. After all, other than enjoying nature, the other part of camping is the food you cook, right? So yeah. As long as these girls are enjoying making and eating their meal, we feel happy for them too. Heh. I think they can open a diner or restaurant and flourish as a chef as their backup interest should camping no longer be viable in the future. Remember, Corona virus… I know it doesn’t hit this anime in its setting but you know, just saying…

As for the characters, they have their quirks. They’re cute, they’re likeable. But I have this mixed feelings because of that, they’re just boring! Oh dear. Do I hear those pitchforks being raised and torches lit again? They make a few jokes here and there with their cheekiness and I grin a little most probably because it is more of a reflex thingy than anything else. I mean, what more can you expect from Nadeshiko’s cheerful and energetic outlook? Yeah, she eats a lot too, so what? Her dramatic reaction to pranks like Sakura’s treat and missing the big camp help usher in some smiles to break the monotony of the boring, oops I mean, calming episode. Aoi likes to lie but this doesn’t mean she is a compulsive liar or anything of that sort. Those ‘lies’ are just pranks. Yeah, she’s such a darling no wonder we call her lies as pranks. Chiaki the playful one. You get the idea.

Rin is still the reserved girl but you can tell she is making great strides by agreeing to join this group camp, right? Solo camp is still her first love and sometimes I think I can relate to her of loving being alone because she hates humanity. Oops! Just kidding! Yeah, many of us wish we could be alone and enjoy our private time without anybody else bugging us. Saitou doesn’t feel as enigmatic as she was in the first season, making her not having much of an impact this season. Hmm, maybe that’s how she want it. I suppose this season doesn’t have Chikuwa as our animal mascot, so here, have this loli mascot in the form of Akari as compensation. Cute, no? Last but not least, Toba. She still loves her alcohol but this time she feels settled in with the girls. This time she enjoys her time with them instead of that reluctant-forced-to-be-here attitude. Yeah, perhaps that life or death winter camp incident woke her up that she needs to take responsibility. Ayano as a new character introduced this season didn’t really make much of an impact. I’m guessing that if they have another season, they can expand the group of friends since she did promise to visit Nadeshiko. I also take that as joining her in camping, right?

Art and animation remain consistent as last season. The draw and attraction are still the picturesque backgrounds. So if you’re not into the shenanigans and boringness of the girls camping, feel free to admire the nice sceneries. After all, as I said that this season feels like a mini travel and discovery channel so it’ll be a waste if they didn’t step up on the gorgeous geosites. While the BGMs are still cool and calming, however I didn’t really notice them. Not sure if they played my favourite guitar picking Solo Camp Recommendation once or twice only throughout the entire season. There’s another BGM which I don’t remember if it was played during the first season, because this one sounds like a tropical tune, which sounds a bit out of place for this genre but still cool enough to listen to.

As for the opening theme, sorry folks if you’re expecting another Jackson 5 spoof. None. No “I Want Yuru Back” or “ABC(amp)” clone anywhere! Yeah, Seize The Day by Asaka seems like it sounds like a song we know and couldn’t put our finger on it. Yeah, the opening tune really gives off that vibe. Where have we heard it before? Perhaps it isn’t. We were just expecting it to be so and hence conditioned our own minds to think as such but in actuality it isn’t. Anyway, the song is fun and cool. Its fanfare befitting the carefree pace of this anime. Hmm… Perhaps those opening strings somewhat remind of Barry White’s Love’s Theme. Not exactly, but almost. Hmm… Suspicious… The ending theme is Haru No Tonari by Eri Sasaki. A lovely and slow piece with nice guitar pickings. I think if my soul were to be cleansed and detoxify, it would be hearing this song than watching the episode. Seriously. But hey, is it me or does the last bit of the chorus feels a little similar like Lenka’s I’m Just A Little Bit Caught In The Middle? Hmm… Suspicious…

Overall, this is really a boring anime if you have any sort of higher expectations or overthink it would. Otherwise it is really just a simple anime and the lack of a great plot or outlandish characters might be overshadowing that. Like Leonardo Da Vinci once said, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Instead of becoming a hermit and go into some zen meditation alone in some cave where nobody will find you forever, watching this cute girls doing cute things, camping version, might help restore some of that soul you’ve lost while doing not so wholesome stuffs. Yeah, I can’t believe I’m saying that the calmness level of this series puts those in the same category like Non Non Biyori to shame! Despite calling this boring, I’ll still watch this if there is to be another season in the future. By that time, I would’ve accumulated enough anime toxic and poison to timely call forth another season. Hopefully. Now just let me sing a song to end it here. To SpongeBob’s famous Campfire Song Song song (yeah)…

C-A-M-P-Y-U-R-U-S-O-N-G song,
C-A-M-P-Y-U-R-U-S-O-N-G song,
And if you don’t think that we can sing it cuter then you’re wrong,
But it’ll help if you just sing along…

Heya Camp OVA

Rin fans who felt cheated that she didn’t appear in the short spinoff, be glad that she takes centre stage here in Heya Camp OVA. That’s right. If you also felt a bit cheated because there was no real camping in that one, well, uhm, this OVA might provide you with that fix until the next season arrives. Also, it is not just 3 minutes long but 11 minutes! Hah. More bang for your buck!

Sauna, lunch and reverse trike…
When Rin returns home, she realizes her bike is missing but in place is a trike. It seems her dad has sent it for yearly maintenance and got this on loan for the time being. So how is Rin going to go camping tomorrow? Why not ride this trike then? Even if she has a motorcycle licence, it is still valid as long as it is still within the 125cc range. Rin rides it and finds it fun. First stop is the public bath facility. As per suggested by Saitou, you have to do a few cycles of hot bath, sauna and cold bath in order to feel some rejuvenation. Hot bath is fine. Sauna can’t read or do your Ipad because of the steam. And the cold bath is really freezing! On a cold day! After a few cycles, Rin feels some sort of rejuvenation coming from within… Not! It’s her stomach growling. Time to go get some food. I guess that bath has worked up an appetite so she really enjoyed her tempura dish. She wonders if this hunger is part of the rejuvenation process. Then she goes to the mart to get her camping necessities. After that she heads up to the mountains to begin her camp. Talking to Saitou about the rejuvenation, Rin doesn’t feel anything near but it felt fun on its own. Saitou isn’t sure either because it took her a few tries to feel it. We see Rin cook some delicious grill sandwich for dinner. Yum! Then as she sits by her campfire, she realizes this is the kind of rejuvenation she is familiar with. And of course maybe she’ll hit the sauna again on her way home.

Sometimes The Most Productive Thing You Can Do Is Relax
Oh yeah. Are you feeling all rejuvenated? Hopefully. My only regret is that I can’t get a taste of the food Rin ate here! Oh damn! This isn’t a cooking show! So basically this OVA isn’t anything much and perhaps its main point is to help rejuvenate you with the easy going aspects seeing that we’re going through this Corona virus pandemic crisis. Too bad no camping outside in real life! But we’re more than happy to see our girls camping once more when the next season arrives. Possibly by next year. It would be about the time our Corona quarantine would be lifted and we can go outside and do the things we love again. Might be the new normal for all of us but it’s the same ol’ camping for these girls.

Heya Camp

Yo! Yo! Hey ‘ya! Hey ‘ya! Wassap my brothers and sisters! How ‘ya all doing today? Just kidding. That’s the impression I got when I heard that is the title of the second season of Yuru Camp, Heya Camp. Technically it means room camping. So does this mean we’re through with the outdoors and now they’re trying to do cheaper camps inside buildings? After all, with the coincidental pandemic of the Corona virus, have to take precautions and stay indoors, avoid as many contact with society and most important of all, wash your hands clean. So are we still going camping or what?

Episode 1
Nadeshiko finds a canned tuna in the room. Is it for food? Suddenly a wild boar enters! Today’s lesson: Canned foods can be used as emergencies to distract wild animals. Of course this is all just a figment of her imagination. It is Chiaki and Aoi who come by. Noticing the canned tuna in her hand, they note it can also make good oil lamps. Later when Nadeshiko shows some houtou food she made, Chiaki believes she has completed the Yamanashi Kids’ Stamp Rally. Haven’t? So what are you waiting for? Visiting various hotspots and collecting the stamps earns one a year’s worth of steamed buns! Let’s go, go, go!!!

Episode 2
First stop for the stamp rally is Mt Fuji centre. After that, the girls eat a dish in the shape of Mt Fuji. It seems the more they eat, it becomes the shape of whatever mountain they recognize it to be. Finally it becomes the shape of Europe’s Matterhorn before finally being devoured. As it is cloudy, they can’t see any of Mt Fuji at all. But seeing that they love Mt Fuji so much, they can imagine its outline and still enjoy the ‘view’. Hey! Is this turning into Yama No Susume???!!!

Episode 3
Now they are biking at Kawaguchi lake. They also meet a biking couple who request their help in taking some photos of them. Once done, they show the girls an album of the sceneries they have been on their bike. Hence the trio after getting their stamp, they wonder if they will look back at the stamp rally like this when they’re grown up. Maybe.

Episode 4
Before we forget about Rin, today’s episode focuses on her day in life. Don’t worry. It won’t take long. After getting up and eating breakfast, she goes to work but gets ‘surprised attacked’ by Saitou’s dog. Saitou keeps Rin accompany at the bookstore. She draws a picture of Nadeshiko. Rin doesn’t find it look anything like her and notes it is just simulacrum (the brain perceiving 3 dots as a face). Then she draws one on Rin. Brings back ‘scary’ memories? Going home, she got ‘surprised attacked’ by a pine cone that flew into her face. Mom is making nabe and looks like grandpa has given them salmon. Rin loves this ‘surprise attack’. As she puts the ingredients into the pot, then a simulacrum face pops up. Surprised?

Episode 5
The girls are taking a tram up to Kachikachi mountain. They talk about the local folklore on how it got its name. It seems there was a race between a rabbit, tanuki and turtle. Sounds familiar? Anyway, the rabbit and tanuki tried to outdo each other like the rabbit trying to annoy the tanuki by snapping flintstones (hence the ‘kachikachi’ noise and thus the name). But eventually both failed and the slow and steady turtle won. Kachi! The girls take pictures with the tanuki and rabbit statue. Hmm… Where’s the turtle? Anyway, after getting their stamp, they enjoy the delicious dango while enjoying the picturesque view.

Episode 6
Heading to their next stamp location, Nadeshiko learns that Aoi and Chiaki aren’t really childhood friends and only met each other in middle school. After getting a stamp at a place with sakura trees, Chiaki remembers this was where she came for her first year at middle school. Then at a bridge, Chiaki further remembers during the summer of their second year at middle school, they were having some fire swinging procession. Yeah, looks dangerous. Aoi accidentally flung it and almost hit Chiaki. That was the moment they actually talked to each other and became friends like how it is today. And then at the vending machine, also more memories of how Chiaki won an extra can and shared it with Aoi. But I guess now they can’t replicate that luck. Oh well, drink still enjoyable, though.

Episode 7
Oh no! Taihen da! Nadeshiko lost that stamp rally sheet! They search everywhere, the possible places she could have lost it but to no avail. All that searching makes them hungry so Chiaki brings them home to make houtou. If you don’t know what this dish is, I guess they try explaining it to us. At least the last time the dry houtou they made at Aoi’s place. Last time Chiaki made hers, mom made it free for all and threw random stuffs into it. Even so, today they’re going to have the freedom to make a freestyle houtou as long as they have the right noodles. Of course with Nadeshiko having a big appetite, this cheers her up a lot. Meanwhile an old biker dude (Rin’s grandpa) finds that stamp rally sheet on the roadside. What kind of guy would literally stop just because some little flyer by the side caught his attention?! Oh yeah. This place is so clean that there is barely any litter…

Episode 8
The trio are now soaking their feet at the footbaths. Wondering why this place is called Golden Feet, Aoi tells of a legend how a pair of golden sandals appeared before a farmer. He tried to walk away with it but was too heavy and left it there. Of course it is a blatant lie but the foreigner seems to love it and wants to hear more! Aoi then smoothly adds more lies that includes some feudal shogun hiding his favourite houtou here. Foreigner even more impressed. So lies are okay if you make them smile? Isn’t that what many lies are?! Hope this won’t come back and bite them later that will eventually lead to tarnishing Japan’s image! Later the trio try some hotspring snack. Nadeshiko then tries to pull a fast one that she has gold instead of raisins inside it. Of course Aoi could tell he lie right away because of her fake Kansai accent but notes they often work better because it sounds softer. Really? Nope. Aoi just lied and pulled another fast one on her!

Episode 9
Chiaki spots a Mt Fuji pattern on an item. This prompts her to ask the question from which angle this mountain was drawn. Based on it, it looks like it is from Yamanashi. One win for Yamanashi! Then they stop at a tuna bowl shop. Aoi explains this item is a featured one in Yamanashi despite it doesn’t border the ocean. In fact, it is Japan’s second largest consumer of tuna. The first being Shizuoka whom it neighbours. This prompts Chiaki to ask Nadeshiko whose side she is on. Of course Nadeshiko can’t choose and loves both places. She feels like she is like Mt Fuji, straddled between both prefectures. Yeah, she’s like the bridge to both places! Enough talking. Let’s go get some tuna bowl. Only, they have no money… :’(.

Episode 10
Chiaki suggests making a camp video. From buying food to trekking to the site. However they stumbled upon something scary! A cult worshipping table cloth???!!! Blair Witch Project this isn’t?! Gotcha. Just one of Chiaki’s lies but it was enough to scare the daylights out of Nadeshiko. When the trio visit the cave, Nadeshiko was awed with the surroundings until she realized her pals aren’t with her. Panicking, she runs out into the woods and almost got lost. Thank goodness for Rin nearby. She hands back the stamp rally sheet. Wow. Did they write their name on it? How did she know it belonged to them? Nadeshiko is glad to have it back. She thought she’d never see this again. All those visits not wasted since they stamped on a different paper so now they can cut it out and stick back here. So is it too late for Rin to join in the stamp rally quest?

Episode 11
The trio are on their last leg in getting the final stamps. The last one is at some outdoor public bath. There. Finished! They then soak in the bath and have a pleasant view of Mt Fuji. Then this is the real shocker: Nadeshiko actually knows that this entire stamp rally was a setup by Chiaki and Aoi! Wow. Such an amazing feat how they rush ahead and try to put together the necessary things. No wonder Nadeshiko spotted them during their ‘assembling’. Of course she doesn’t mind because she gets to go places and taste lots of great food with them. Once they leave, Nadeshiko suggests they should go camping. FINALLY! SOMETHING RELATED!!!

Episode 12
They’re finally camping! Albeit just in their school grounds. Nadeshiko asks why they did the stamp rally in the first place. Well, they’ve been camping nonstop since she moved here so they thought it would be nice to help her familiarize with the area as well as introducing places that they love to hang out. Wow. Nadeshiko almost close to tears. Watch out. Don’t overburn the marshmallow! Nadeshiko thanks them for the nice gesture. As they can’t really camp outside for the night, it’s camping back in their crammed clubroom. Next morning, Nadeshiko has created her own stamp rally and wants them to join her exploring her recommended spots. How sweet. Looks like it has lots more places to explore. Only, Nadeshiko printed the stamps backwards. Wait. How the heck can she print them so fast? More importantly, is this going to be a hiking anime from now on?!

Take A (Yuru) Hike!
When I first realized that this season only had 3 minutes per episode, I was totally in shock. How could they have downgraded a laidback camping series from a full TV length to just a few mere minutes? Why, they feel more like shorts and specials worthy to be included in DVD or BD purchases! What atrocity! I thought this was really a downer. Then I realized after watching finished this season that this isn’t actually the second season of Yuru Camp. The REAL AND ACTUAL season will be scheduled and coming in 2021 and this just some side spinoff. Phew. I thought they really tried to troll us because there is no camping whatsoever at all! Not even in a room! They should call this the hiking show or something. But thankfully, it’s good to know at this point that the REAL AND ACTUAL sequel will be coming next year.

So now that I’ve got that out of the way, the negative essence has subsided a lot. Yup. I was going to give a lot of sarcastic comments and opinions about this short because it didn’t really live up to the fun, casual and relaxing first season. It lacked a lot of things so much so I thought they cut things down and produced it just to make a quick cash grab. After all, the first season has its own charm despite not being a mainstream anime.

Essentially this spinoff sees the trio of mainly Nadeshiko, Chiaki and Aoi going around the Yamanashi prefecture and well, collecting stamps. It feels like one big promotional tour of the prefecture as we can see some of the local attractions as well as food being shown here. Is it visit Yamanashi prefecture year? Or did the local tourism board paid the studio to do this blatant advertising so as to bring in tourists and the money? I’m sure those are just my speculation and made up lies but whatever it is, the promotion was decently done and they didn’t really spam it in our faces to really come and see the place. Looks good. Very picturesque. Maybe one day I’ll visit there. When I have the money to travel, that is! :’(.

It is also weird for this series not to have all the main characters together. One will obviously notice that Rin is sorely missing and not part of the Yamanashi mini tour. It’s like they want to leave her out and make us forget about her as she makes cameos worse than background minor characters. While it is fun to see the trio together, it just feels missing without Aoi. Even more so, Saitou. If this was an actual second season, the criticisms would have been harsher. Not to say I’m giving them a free pass either but it would have been a lot more fun had the quartet (or quintet if Saitou is in) are together and doing fun things.

But it is really mind boggling how Chiaki and Aoi go all out their way to set this mini trip up just for Nadeshiko. My point is that, how fast and far must they travel and do all the bothersome things like setting up the table and desk? It’s just not plausible no matter how I think about it. Even assuming Yamanashi is such a peaceful prefecture and no idiot would be curious enough to mess those unmanned stamp desks, this is still too much mind boggling to process. No wonder Nadeshiko found out and just kept quiet. They’re so cute trying their best to set it all up for her. Now that it is Nadeshiko’s turn, I guess no point hiding it and just let the cat out of the bag. They’re so eager to hike, huh? Well, before one can really camp, one must still hike to the camping site. So I guess hiking is part of camping eventually. Hey wait. So is that year’s worth of steamed buns a real reward or not?! Oh well. I’m sure they got something more everlasting than that. Yeah. But still… Steamed buns…

One of the great things this season is the ending theme, The Sunshower by Asaka. It sounds like a great country music and that feeling of wanting to lie down on the grass and just enjoy the rest of the nice weathered day go by. This song definitely makes my day. No opening theme here since this spinoff is so short. Oh yeah. You remember that Jackson 5’s spoof of I Want You Back? Yeah, same singer. Now she’s going for a more calming country style music. Hmm… I have this feeling I heard this tune somewhere but I just can’t place my finger on it… Maybe it is just me thinking too much.

This spinoff doesn’t bring much to the table and it felt like they trolled those who were expecting some sort of camping but instead we got hiking and sightseeing. Yup, no camping tips and tricks here. Even if this feels a lot lacking, it still has its own cute and calming charm that should prepare us when the REAL AND ACTUAL second season finally arrives on our shores. Hey at least the girls got out and experience the natural fresh air and seeing places. Unlike us lazy otakus ‘camping’ in front of our comfy chair and comfy room watching (not necessarily comfy) animes. Is this what true Heya Camp really is?!

Yuru Camp

Hmm… More girls doing outdoor stuffs? The last time we had that was a group of girls climbing a mountain. So now we need a group of girls doing camping? Okay. That is what basically Yuru Camp is all about. And no, not that camping in first person shooter video games, mind you. At first I thought YuruYuri had some sort of spin-off but taking a closer look, everything else is so different and unrelated. Next time don’t jump to conclusions after reading half the title’s name and make assumptions. Sorry, can’t help it. Not after that sinfully ecchi Nanatsu No Taizai and that misleading Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho fantasy.

Episode 1
Rin Shima peddles her way to the campsite. She sees Nadeshiko Kagamihara sleeping soundly on the bench with no care in the world. Ignore her. At the lake, Rin sets up her tent and starts reading a book. She doesn’t want to like a fire despite the frigid cold as she doesn’t want it to be smoky or have things catch fire. But eventually night is falling soon so she has to go pick up some acorns and dry wood to start a fire. Get your notes ready as we have some short notes on how to start a basic fire with these items. She takes a break and heads to the nearby toilet and now sees Nadeshiko ‘moved’. She’s sleeping on the ground now. Night camping goes well. Then another toilet break. But a big scare of her life as Nadeshiko is crying before her! Scary! Run! Being chased! Back at her tent, Rin hears Nadeshiko’s story that she just moved here. She cycled here to see Mt Fuji but got tired, dropped everything and slept. She forgot to bring her handphone and doesn’t know her own number. She only has a deck of cards and an empty stomach. Want some curry ramen? Cough up some cash. Just kidding. It’s on the house. Please don’t pay in instalments. After having their amazing dinner, they are able to witness the majestic beauty of Mt Fuji on a clear moonlight night sky. Then Nadeshiko remembers her sister’s handphone number. Sakura comes to pick her up while apologizing as well as being thankful to Rin for taking care of her idiot sister. I think Rin feels a bit bad seeing Sakura shelling out some sisterly abuse. Rin gets kiwi fruits as well as Nadeshiko’s number as her reward. The new school term starts. What are the chances Nadeshiko goes to the same school with Rin? Maybe it might be the only school in town…

Episode 2
Nadeshiko is all excited to join a club. There are only 2 outdoor clubs. The other being hiking seems athletic so she’ll choose this more relaxing one. Since nobody is in, she sifts through the stuffs and got caught red handed by Chiaki Oogaki and Aoi Inuyama who think she is a thief. With the misunderstanding cleared, they welcome her to the club. I guess they need members badly. Why is their clubroom so cramp? Apparently they are using an old storage room and since their club only has 2 members, I guess they don’t need to take up much room. Of course their activities are all outside. They show Nadeshiko a tent they’ve bought. Almost a thousand yen and it might sound expensive, wait till you see other tents that range into tenths of thousands! This will do. So they try building a tent in the school courtyard. As it is right across the library where Rin is stationed, she realizes Nadeshiko goes to this school. She doesn’t want to associate with her and hides her presence. Her friend though, Ena Saitou decides to go help the stooges fix their broken tent (I guess that’s what you get for being cheap) and then points out to Rin for reference. Oh no. Here comes Nadeshiko running towards Rin. Warning. Idiot alert! Idiot alert! Thank goodness for the window. I’m surprised it didn’t crack. On a clear sunny day, Rin sets up another camp with the majestic Mt Fuji in sight. As this site doesn’t allow fires on the ground to prevent the grass from being burnt, she is mulling over renting a fire stand but that will cost her. Rin remembers Nadeshiko inviting her to join the outdoor club but she showed the most disgusting rejecting face. Yeah, she prefers her camping solo. Speaking of the devil (or idiot if you prefer), here comes Nadeshiko! Let’s camp together and make nabe too. How did she find her? Saitou told her.

Episode 3
Nadeshiko was camping outside her own house when she receives a message from Saitou on Rin’s whereabouts. So she hitches a ride on her Sakura’s car to head there. Nadeshiko makes the nabe and it is warm and good to eat on a cold chilly day. Rin apologizes for being rude the other day so Nadeshiko hopes she could join them the next time. But for now, the club has got lots of supplies to get. Is that why Chiaki is getting a part time job at some liquor shop? The duo stay out to gaze at Mt Fuji at night. Not sure how or when, Nadeshiko is now sleeping in Sakura’s car. Just in time for dawn to arrive so that she could see the first light of the day over the mountain. Too bad it got too comfy in her seat that she fell asleep. Then she goes into Rin’s tent to continue sleeping. And it is rise and shine for Rin. I guess she got a ‘souvenir’ in the form of taking a picture of Nadeshiko’s smug sleeping face.

Episode 4
The outdoor activities club trio are taking stock on what they have for camping. They go through a catalogue of sleeping bags but with a lot of them pricey or unsuitable, I guess they have to experiment with the cheap one they have. How does it feel? Cold. When they add aluminium foil and cardboard box, it really starts to feel warm. Only one problem: You’re locked in and cannot get out. Yeah, you look you are ready to be shipped to a foreign country. So they get all the other items they need and then prepare for the day to hike to their campsite. At first Chiaki and Aoi are kind enough to offer to help out carry Nadeshiko’s stuffs since she brought the most and it looks heavy. Yeah, it is really heavy and they’re regretting it. Maybe they should ask her carry theirs? Don’t worry. Only a few more metres to their next pit stop. Too bad it’s uphill all the way. I don’t think anybody is going to give them a ride at that short distance. Thankfully they manage to reach the place. A nice beautiful view and of course pampering themselves to the ice cold treats at the nearby café. Meanwhile Rin has begun taking a journey to Kirigamine for a solo camp. Resting at a café, she finds some of the items expensive. Will she have enough money after saving up for essentials? Well, she just got paid so I guess no harm to splurge a little. The trio are making their way to the hotspring when Nadeshiko receives a message from Rin about her whereabouts. It is a link to a live camera at an intersection and Rin is waving hi! Hoping for a reply?

Episode 5
The trio just dip into the warm hotspring. Ah… So nice… Rin is just so jealous as she makes haste to the nearest hotspring. It’s 2 degrees, you know… After the bath, the trio get tempted to snack and rest since there is plenty of time to hike to their campsite. Rin finally arrives at the destination and hotspring here she comes! Oh… What’s this? The establishment is closed?! FFFFUUUU!!!! Adding insult to injury, the scene overlooking the town from the mountain top is covered with clouds. Rin will not give up and decides to look around to camp and make food. After all, she can still go to a hotspring on her way home. The 3 Stooges finally wake up and realize they have overslept! Rush! Rush! Rush! Luckily they arrive in time and begin setting up their tent. They use a Swedish torch in which logs tied together are filled with a kindling in the middle and its burning make it look like a giant candle. Looks good and different at first till the aluminium wires snap and the logs fall apart. Good thing nobody got burnt. They cook and enjoy dinner before retiring to bed. However their tent is too cramped for 3 people. So they draw a lottery. Well, Nadeshiko got the raw end of the stick as she gets to sleep alone. Thus she bugs Rin on how she is doing. I don’t think she is sleeping if she could reply. With her pals already fast asleep, Nadeshiko braves the cold night to head to the scenic top and take a picture of the beautiful town lights below to send to Rin. Amazed by its view, Rin also reciprocates but I wonder how long Nadeshiko had to wait since Rin had to ride and then hike up to that place (her tent is a bit far from that site). Next morning, everyone make preparations to head back. And Rin finally got her taste of hot bath.

Episode 6
Rin finally receives her ordered a package: A compact campfire grill. Now she can have campfires at places that do not allow burning on the ground or grill meat. Dear Saitou, this is not a small offertory box. Rin wants Saitou to help deliver souvenirs to Nadeshiko. Do it yourself. Well, she doesn’t have to walk all the way to the clubroom since Nadeshiko is found sleeping on the floor in the library! After learning she has this grill, she invites her to go camping with her this weekend since Rin offers to test it out. With Sakura chauffeuring them, it seems Nadeshiko’s intention to head to Lake Shibire is to investigate Chiaki’s claims that there is some legendary fish there. It may taste good over BBQ. I see. They stop by the supermarket to get some supplies first. However all the meat they want aren’t available. Only pork ribs and kalbi. Looks like BBQ is in season. I guess chicken skewers and Hamburg steak are their next best option. At the counter, they see Aoi. She is currently working here part time. Meanwhile Chiaki is surveying the next possible site for the club’s camping trip. She sees a classy old man cooking a classy meat in front of his classy but simple tent. He spots her and invites her to taste his meat. Nothing hentai, mind you. Delicious enough that it makes her consider want to buy a pan. Rin and Nadeshiko arrive at the lake in which they need to head to the campsite by foot. Rin heard rumours that this place has some cow ghost. Say what? Oh, Nadeshiko is paralyzed in fear now.

Episode 7
Nadeshiko makes a prayer at an altar. It better worked. Oh, that classy old man turns out to be Rin’s dad as he packs up and returns home. Like father, like daughter? Rin and Nadeshiko set up their tent. The latter then explore the surroundings. She visits a couple of campers nearby. She is impressed with their tools and believes they are veterans. Because the girl is somewhat drunk, Nadeshiko minds their business and leaves. Oh, that girl is his sister. Rin has a hard time trying to start the fire with her coal. Nadeshiko gets help from the camper neighbour as he gives a different and easier to burn coal type. It might not last long compare to Rin’s one but at least the fire can be started. Camping is saved. Night falls as the duo start cooking their nabe while wrapping themselves in blankets to be protected from the cold, making them look like some secret society members. They share it with their camper neighbour and the sister is still drunk. Did she not stop? I can see a few bottles on the table… Rin and Nadeshiko start grilling their meat. The true event they’ve been waiting for. Once they have their fill, the coal is still burning so they continue to use it as campfire. Rin asks about her life before coming here. She used to live in the outskirts of Hamamatsu and on a clear day she could see Mt Fuji although very small. That’s why she was so happy when she could see it close up. Also, she fell asleep during the car trip and couldn’t see Mt Fuji close up, thus the reason she went biking on that day. When it is time to sleep, Nadeshiko wants to sleep alone but Rin doesn’t want her sleeping space to be so cramp. You’re on your own. When Rin couldn’t sleep, she takes a night stroll. Suddenly a cow ghost appears before her! Yikes! It must be the fastest sprint back to her tent. We all know it is drunk sister but I can’t blame Rin since it was too dark. Has Rin ever prayed so hard? The longest night ever for Rin? Fortunately nothing came about for the rest of the night. But the next morning, Nadeshiko finds Rin sleeping next to her. What did she say about sleeping together again? Nadeshiko snuggles closer to her.

Episode 8
Chiaki shows Aoi the mini table and other assortments she got. During their last trip, they spotted a couple with fancy tables and chairs enjoying their time. Yeah, the trio only had a candle on a tarpaulin. So sad… But the mini bowl is too small to hold anything decent and because it is made of wood, there are lots of don’ts instead. The duo then experiment in using an iron pan with Saitou helping them out. They also discuss the next camping trip for Christmas. Aoi says she’ll be spending it with her boyfriend, shocking Chiaki. Just kidding. The ultimate troll. But Chiaki trolls her back when Aoi mentions she spends Christmas with her family, prompting Chiaki to be shocked she has a family?! They invite Saitou to come for a day trip too. She is not sure as she hates the cold but it sounds fun. She will tell them after the exams. After the exams, Chiaki and Aoi take Nadeshiko to an outdoor equipment shop, Caribou. She is warned that many of the items here are expensive. They are at awe with the variety of burners and lanterns but I suppose they can only watch and hope to come back with enough cash to buy it. At least the shopkeeper is nice enough to let them take pictures of the items. The trio then get some mats that will help them keep warm while sleeping on the ground. As they talk about working to earn money to get more stuffs, it reminds them of a teacher named Minami Toba who is rumoured to love drinking and hence the nickname Miss Chug. Nadeshiko has a feeling she met her somewhere. At the end of the shopping, the trio get nice and warm delicious steamed buns nearby. Nadeshiko couldn’t resist eating them and goes to buy more once she finishes. There goes her savings to buy the next camping equipment. Maybe the buns are that good because Aoi does the same… Screw camping, maybe they should just have a steamed bun eating club.

Episode 9
Rin invites Nadeshiko to camp with her at a riverside. Eager beaver wouldn’t miss it for the world. Too bad next morning she is down with a cold. She thinks she is okay but Sakura stops her. If she says she’s not okay, then she is not okay. Oh well. Rin is used to solo camping. But when she arrives at the place, it is cordoned off. With no alternative, she turns back. As she is resting, she meets a fellow camper who informs her that the road to that campsite is always closed. To preserve the nature of the area, private vehicles are not permitted and there is a shuttle to take them there. Before she leaves, she gives Rin some tea to keep her warm. So Rin returns to take the right route and path so as not to waste her trip. She sends pictures to Nadeshiko. As Rin visits a temple that worships dogs, Chiaki comes to visit Nadeshiko. Chiaki is supposed to make some food for only Nadeshiko but her whole family now anticipate her cooking. Can she live up to their expectations? It is way better than expected. Rin’s trip now takes her to a hotspring. Is her hotspring revenge still not over? She orders an insanely huge katsudon serving. So full that she starts dreaming this strange dream that a dog ate her salad bowl and Nadeshiko is some sage on a journey to defeat some monster monkey. I hope the food isn’t drugged. Rin wakes up from her sleep and realizes she overslept! I know the place lacks staff but nobody thought it was a weird a girl just slept at the table for hours? She could have been dead for all you know…

Episode 10
Oh dear. Rin is running late after oversleeping. She is rushing on her bike. Ride safely. As she nears the campsite, she panics because the road is blocked. Taking a detour means a few more hours. She calls Nadeshiko for help. Luckily Chiaki is able to help by telling her to just go through the blockade but push her bike. Eventually she manages to reach the campsite and sets up her camp. She might have to use a bit more energy chasing down her tent and other items due to the windy forecast. Can you say that setting up her camp was in-tents (intense)? Haha! Sorry. After dinner, Chiaki calls her to explain she found out that roadblock was forgotten by the construction workers. She thought it was odd there were no signs to say why it is blocked and it was only occupying half the road. Chiaki invites her to join their Christmas camp. Sorry. Nope. After that Saitou calls her as Rin updates her situation. Saitou tells her she is invited to their Christmas camp and hopes Rin would reconsider. At school, Saitou tries out the outdoor club and as practice, they do a dry run for their Christmas camp. Saitou wonders if they are going to exchange presents then but the girls are too poor to buy gifts at the moment. And nobody is going to believe Chiaki’s philosophical crap that Christmas comes from the heart. Nadeshiko suggests showing hospitality as their present like cooking for each other. Meanwhile Toba dreads over being a club advisor because this cuts into her drinking and foreign drama series time. She sees the outdoor girls burning outside and misinterprets they are starting a fire. She goes to lecture them but they tell her they got permission from Oomachi. They go to see him and he thinks of letting Toba handle the outdoor club since has so many other clubs on his hand. Wait, what? The girls rejoice! Toba regrets. But she can breathe a little easy since this club isn’t that busy and she doesn’t mind a little camping once in a while. When Rin suggests the Asagiri Highlands for their Christmas camp, Toba could think of bacon and beer as the best fit. This prompts Nadeshiko to remember her as the drunk lady!

Episode 11
Christmas camp is here! Toba, Chiaki and Aoi are the first to arrive as they register at the reception. Toba is already out drunk. Rin arrives next but do not see them so she walks around on her own until Nadeshiko arrives. Rin gets a text from the duo that they are at the nearby dessert station. This prompts Nadeshiko to be hungry (although she just had lunch) but since she is short on cash this month, Rin helps make s’mores (marshmallow biscuits). Wow. They look delicious! Chiaki and Aoi have bought some firewood but since it is too heavy to carry back and Toba is drunk, they ask Rin for help. Her scooter is a big help but it seems that she leaves one bundle for them to carry back since it is already too heavy for her bike to carry. Take it slow and easy… Saitou announces her arrival by ‘sending an assassin’. That’s her dog, Chikuwa dressed as a bunny? Immediately it hides under the warmth of Toba’s seat. To lure it back out, Saitou gives Nadeshiko a chicken sausage. Now she has to run for her life. She is still at it when the girls finish making their camp. Heck, there are other kids joining in on the chase. More mayhem when they add frisbee into it. When it is evening, Toba has awakened from her slumber. They give her cocoa but she adds rum with it. The girls then start making sukiyaki for dinner and fully enjoy their meat. Except for Toba who might be regretting she didn’t bring more liquor along. To add to the fun, all of them dress in the Santa outfit they brought. This is a Christmas camp, right? But they soon realize they look like a bunch of mall Santas gathering after work. The sukiyaki affair continues with tomato added. But then the gas goes out. Nadeshiko is supposed to have extras but she realizes she forgot them. Horror! Toba has a spare but it too soon runs out of gas. Are they doomed and tomorrow’s breakfast is not possible? Don’t worry. Rin will ride to the nearest convenience store and get some stuffs. The camp is saved.

Episode 12
Time skip? Because it is like 10 years in the future with the girls camping and drinking alcohol. They talk about Nadeshiko who is now the CEO of a giant firm in USA. The BS ramps up with Nadeshiko arriving in a flying tent! Damn her imagination is so vivid and she’s not even drunk. As they take a bath, they ask Toba about her brother. She corrects them that is her little sister and she is often mistaken as a boy due to her tomboyish looks. Damn I knew I was right! Paranoid Nadeshiko now wants to ascertain if Chiaki is really a girl! But Rin still cannot put her finger on that cow ghost she saw then. Once everyone is done, they tie up their hair like Rin’s bun. Except they make Nadeshiko’s one look like a cactus… Not sure if they are spoiling the outdoors camping fun because now they watch tons of videos on Chiaki’s mini iPad. Can they see all that with the campfire in the middle? As they hit the sack, Nadeshiko and Rin talk about their future like finding a job. Nadeshiko thought she spotted a slow UFO but Rin thinks it is a satellite. Next morning before dawn breaks, they get up to make breakfast and just in time to enjoy the sunrise peeking out from Mt Fuji. Then they pack up return home. Saitou looks like she is being hit by the camping bug as she borrows a book on one. However she still won’t join the camping club. One day, Nadeshiko tries solo camping. She is proficient enough to be independent but a few slip ups here and there. At the site, she messages Rin about it and coincidentally she too is doing solo camp. She has this idea to take a picture of their campsite and guess where the other is. When Rin sends hers, Nadeshiko is baffled to see her tiny self in it. She then realizes Rin is right behind her. Coincidence? Great campers think alike? But so much about solo camping.

Episode 0
This short takes place before Nadeshiko joins the club. A time when Chiaki and Aoi just got the clubroom. They are surprised it is cramped and messy like hell like a storeroom. What do you expect? Aoi borrowed a camping magazine from the library so the duo relive their camping fantasies with the featured items. Until they realize how costly all of them are. This has Chiaki wonder why special camping items are needed instead of ordinary household items like bringing your own knife (looking like a murderer), bringing your own futon (looking like a thief) and cooking your own food (with a lighter?). Chiaki relates camping with her family once when she was younger. She loved it and wants to do it again with her friends this time. Aoi finds some poles in the room and turn it into some makeshift camping tripod. They then go through all the boxes in the room and use their imagination to turn what they can find into some lame hobo camp? Not going to fly. They find a cheap tent online and even though it is out of order, no harm in trying to place their order now in hopes it will be available for next week’s Golden Week. At least this is a start. They get confident and dream all the great camping things they will do from now on. But then, autumn has arrived and they have done nothing… Keep dreaming…

Hora Camp
Although this special loosely means BS Camp, at first I thought I thought it was Horror Camp… It is for Nadeshiko… It all started when the outdoor club girls are talking about different camping styles in different countries. If it sounds unbelievable then it is only because it so. When Aoi has those weird eyes (why do they remind me of Amanchu?), it is a sign that she is talking crap and nonsense. Later Nadeshiko is shocked when Aoi has shrunk! Mini Aoi? Even her boob size has gone smaller. Then the real Aoi pops up. This is Akari, her little sister. What’s she doing here? Asides cosplaying as her sister, she is here to officially apologize about the mix-up Aoi made between the sobau (type of bird) and soba udon. She joked sobau don that a dish was made using this bird and hence lots of calls rang to complain about it even though it doesn’t exist. It’s hard to wonder if they are sincere since both sisters are making those eyes. When Akari asks Nadeshiko about the view of Mt Fuji from her prefecture, Akari suddenly puts a face of displeasure. Apparently there is a conflict from the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures of the better view of Mt Fuji that could lead to war! Nadeshiko starts getting scared when Aoi says how she’ll be branded a traitor and locked up forever but you can tell they’re pulling her leg. Those eyes again… Later when Rin pops up to says she’ll be moving to Alaska to devote herself to winter camping, Nadeshiko isn’t buying it and knows it is Akari as Rin. Yeah, Rin can’t be this small. But suddenly a bigger Rin enters (Sakura in disguise). At this point Nadeshiko is not only shocked but scared because everybody else also follows Rin’s buns and surround Nadeshiko. Horror! She calls the real Rin (comfortably snoozing away in the library) desperately trying to find out which of them is her.

Survival Camp
The girls are going to Australia for their camping! Thanks to Saitou’s dad’s friend who helps pilot them there in his private jet. It’s like Saitou jinxed it by saying this is going to be safe because the instruments are starting to go out of control. Heck, the pilot says no worries even with the alarm ringing like hell! I’m sure he doesn’t want to scare cute little Japanese girls. Too bad all of them already bailed and parachuted away! WTF???!!! IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE???!!! But thankfully they landed on a deserted island. At least God is giving them a survival chance. At the end of the first day, they manage to make a decent camp. However they have no food and some are already starting to eat imaginary bananas! Is this what you call going bananas? I guess everybody take turns eating a strand of emergency ramen until there’s no more. With everybody thinking how this would be like a survival camp, can’t do that on an empty stomach, eh? Only Saitou is sleeping like a baby. It’s like she says f*ck all this and just go with the flow. Next day, probably God didn’t want our cute girls to starve so they manage to find a bunch of real bananas! More luck as Rin manages to fish a huge fish and they also have coconuts for drinks. Now their fun survival camp can begin as they cook different varieties of banana, make a banana frisbee, go diving and even Rin is surfing on a plank?! OMG?! Pay your homage to the Banana God! As they continue to relax, suddenly it dawned to them this is no survival camp. They are really stranded! I wonder how far their voice can reach if they scream at this very edge of the island? Yeah, maybe they are at the wrong end because this deserted island seems awfully close to Japan. Mt Fuji? And yeah, only Saitou is the one still sleeping like a baby.

Camping No Susume
Sorry girls, watching this anime didn’t make me feel like wanting to go camping or even do any outdoor activity. I’m feeling so lazy that I could even fall asleep at my desk right now. Is that a fancy way of saying that this series is boring? If you are that bloodthirsty adrenaline junkie or perverted kind of person, just saying… But I’m not that cold hearted of a person and despite its slow pace of nature, I can still find the calmness within to appreciate this series. After all, I already know what I am getting into when I decided to watch this anime.

The plot and story might seem boring because it is just a group of high school girls camping outdoors. But when you compare it with another series in that same season, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san, this one fares better because at least this has substance. That ramen show felt like a big advertising for ramen. Sure, this one also tries to promote camping (because who these days aren’t glued to their Smartphone screens and the internet?), but this is done with at least some story and character development, albeit a bit. Of course if you are really interested into camping and a newbie who wants to try this out, there are other better and comprehensive sources to do so. This series no doubt has some camping hints, do’s and don’ts in every episode but those are just the basics. Nothing too deep and complicated. After all, the best way is to get experience yourself.

The series might try to paint camping as fun and easy but it is as true as that. If you have the basic tools and knowledge, (don’t forget your basic etiquette too), you can make a pretty decent camp. So for what you see here are not exaggerated feats. You can pull off the same things they do. It sounds ridiculous at first using high school students going camping and it looks possible only because it is anime. But we’re not slaying dragons, fighting Satan from hell, piloting mechas to stop a takeover or busting evil machines from another dimension so mostly everything here is believable. Yeah, no skimpy outfits too. This is one of the few shows where girls really cover up! Sometimes from head to toe. Literally.

I keep drawing parallels between this series and Yama No Susume. You can obviously see both series have young school going girls doing an outdoor activity. Mt Fuji seems to be the centre of attraction too. Whether it is hiking up or camping before its magnificent view. To show the minimal and decency that any normal person could do such things, hence you see affordable equipment and tools from both series get (as well as comparing more expensive ones) as they make do with their budget for a simple climb or camp. Don’t forget the dynamics of their interaction and friendship bonding in the wild that makes both series such a calming one to watch.

The characters are lovable especially with Nadeshiko being the resident retard and glutton of the pack. I feel that without her, the group of camper girls will not be as interesting and lively. Yes, we have Chiaki but she only plays the comical parts when the time or scene calls for it. Nadeshiko is like, you can expect something overtly funny from her most of the time. At least a simpleton like her makes her honest in her emotions and thoughts.

Rin is also interesting because she started out as an introvert and solo camper. But with persistence (AKA continuous bugging) from Nadeshiko, she too falls under her influence and becomes open to the idea of group camping. She still has her reservations but at least she is slightly much better than before. Saitou is also an amusing character although it feels she has this enigmatic aura around her. Her interactions with Rin over the social media feels a bit weird. The jokes she makes to Rin feel subtly one kind but not cheesy or distasteful. It’s like she is the wait-and-see kind of person and prods Rin from time to time if ever the need arises.

Toba feels like a character who screams I-wish-I-wasn’t-here-doing-this. My guess is that despite being forced to be the advisor of this club, she generally has no qualms about it because she gets to drink all she wants in the wild. I mean, who is going to stop her? She can get drunk without being a total nuisance unlike in society. But just don’t leave your liquor around and turn curious bears into rampaging drunks terrorizing campers. Boy, that sure escalated quickly. Last but not least, Chikuwa as the animal mascot of the series to ramp up the cuteness and kawaii factor. Wow. Camping life so perfect. Good scenery and spot, good food, good tent, good friends and a good furry pal. Camping out is so much fun, doo-dah, doo dah…

Now, you have got to agree with me that for most of us who have heard the opening theme, at first we would all go into ‘shock’ of how similar its opening theme, Shiny Days by Asaka sounds to Jackson 5’s I Want You Back. OMG! Did they just freaking rip off the opening solo part from it???!!! I mean, heck I thought they were actually going to play I Want You Back!!! Yeah, I am already seeing memes over the internet of our camping girls having afro hairstyles… But yeah, because of this song, it makes it quite fun despite the rip off. Damn, now I think they should have just totally ripped off the Jackson 5’s song instead of spoofing it. Yeah, I really feel like singing that song. From now on, this song will be associated with camping! In line with the calming pace of the series, the ending theme, Furu Biyori by Eri Sasaki is a very slow and calming piece. Sometimes it makes you want to sleep. Not in the boring sense, that is.

I believe one of the main draws of the series is also its BGMs. There is a variety of them and some of them are to my liking. Mainly there is one or two that sound close and worthy of being an Aria The Animation or Amanchu BGM! Not kidding. The very soothing guitar picking does bring back memories of those series. Others that caught my attention include the fun whistling-cum-banjo-picking one. Yeehaw! Then there are a couple of flute BGMs that make it sound like as though it has some Irish or Celtic influence. Even though you’re camping in the countryside, hearing such music can transport you into the magical fantasy world of your own imagination.

Voice acting feels pretty fine and laidback. Well for most of the time whenever they’re not flustering or panicking for comical sequences. Aki Toyosaki is very recognizable as Aoi as she sounds like one of her trademark characters (Yui from K-ON!). I could barely recognized Marina Inoue as Sakura (and at first mistakenly thought it was Yoko Hikasa) as she has been slowing down in the anime scene lately. At least, not in animes that I have watched. Didn’t manage to recognize Nao Touyama as Rin too as I haven’t been hearing her as often lately. Oh, Shizuka Itou is behind Toba’s voice. Am I so laidback that I can’t even recognize her now? The other casts are Yumiri Hanamori as Nadeshiko (Hanako in Anne Happy), Sayuri Hara as Chiaki (Rhythm in Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream), Rie Takahashi as Saitou (Akua in Renai Boukun) and Akio Ohtsuka as the narrator (titular character in Black Jack).

The art and animation for the characters are pretty standard. But it is the background and sceneries that take the cake. They are beautiful to say the least. This is after all a camping series. The sceneries like the lake, the forest landscape and Mt Fuji are hand drawn and if you don’t focus too much, they sometimes look like a real photo shot. It really gives a sense of calmness while watching this series, taking a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Animated by C-Station, a relatively low key production studio who only have a few titles to its name, namely Seikoku No Dragonar, Starmyu and Hakyuu Hoshin Engi.

Overall, if you are tired of all the anime crap produced throughout the seasons and the current season has too much anime of being anime, perhaps this could help rejuvenate and renew your beliefs that not all anime series are bad. While this might be considered as boring at first and on the outlook, you’ll find that there is a calming and soothing charm to it even if you are not into camping nor an outdoor person. It is so comfortable that I don’t want to go outdoors and continue to sit back in my comfy chair and comfy room continuing to watch (not necessarily comfy) animes. I think I can get used to this sort of ‘camping’.