So evidently, the two girls boarding the same train as Nadeshiko aren’t around for very long. Nadeshiko shares some snacks with them and the three chat and then they all part ways. I would dismiss these two characters but been the most minor characters in this show have reappeared so who knows. According to the credits, these girls do have names, Chie Chita (Yurika Moriyama) and Haruka Yashiro (Yuumi Yabuuchi), which seems unnecessary for one-off characters. Maybe the main cast will run into them again. Yashiro recommends camping out in the Mie prefecture to Nadeshiko so it’s possible.
After hopping off on a train, Nadeshiko makes a pit stop at the campsite, Camp Ichishiro, before heading out to do some more sightseeing. To reach the campsite however, she must brave through a spooky tunnel filled with ghostly decorations made by the locals. It’s a very cute gag, especially with Nadeshiko busting out her lamp for comfort and her losing her mind when the “ghosts” pop up. There are some later scares in the episode that are more legitimate death flags than this scene so you can argue that Nadeshiko gets off easy, making her panic here a lot funnier in retrospect.
The episode then cuts back to Rin and Ayano. We see the two get gas for their backs while discussing a close call Ayano just had with some rocks on the road. See what I mean about the death flags? Before heading out, the two get an update from Nadeshiko and Ayano remarks how tough her friend has become. That’s a pretty interesting comment. When you think about it, Nadeshiko has gotten tougher, what with her being able to venture out and camp on her own. It makes sense that Ayano would pick this up more than Rin as she’s known Nadeshiko for much longer. I think Rin shares a strong bond with Nadeshiko but it has only been a couple of months since they first met so Nadeshiko’s evolution probably isn’t that pronounced to Rin.
While checking out the Ikawa Ohashi Bridge, Ayano decides to get some lunch, despite saying in the last episode that she’ll skip it. Rin actually brings this up and Ayano admits to have forgotten about it. It would’ve been funny if Ayano decides to skip lunch again and Rin facepalms herself but the two do check out a local restaurant before continuing their tour. I guess I don’t have to worry about Ayano passing out after all. It’s okay, this show makes me fear for her and Rin’s lives in other ways.
At long last, Rin and Ayano head over to Lake Hatanagi. Because this episode is titled “Hatanagi Attack! Death Road from Hell” in English, I was expecting the road to be perilous. But no, the girls make it to the lake just fine. The trek certainly looks exhausting with how long and winding it is but that’s really about it. There aren’t even any rocks for Ayano to avoid like earlier. Perhaps I expected too much. I know Laid-Back Camp wouldn’t go that far…I think.
Considering that Lake Hatanagi is the destination, one would think that Laid-Back Camp would go big here. Sure enough, it does. Even the build up is great. Ayano wants to go back because she’s exhausted from driving so much but Rin then frame their journey as a sunk cost fallacy. They’ve made it this far, they may well as check out one last bridge. To their horror however, the girls learn that the bridge is 30 meters high and it possesses a narrow footpath and thin ropes for handrails. Before even getting to the bridge, the show delivers a terrific punchline.
The scene where the two actually cross the bridge is very entertaining as well. Like, Rin and Ayano’s fear is understandable, that bridge really does look scary, but their panic is hilarious. The wind kicks in at just the right moment. Between this, the rocks, and passing out in the last episode, it really feels like the plot is trying to kill off Ayano. The funniest bit might be when Ayano proposes that she and Rin cross one at a time but they’re pretty far into the bridge at this point so this suggestion wouldn’t do them any good. Also amusing is the two begrudgingly crossing the bridge again after a sign warns them about bears. Come to think about it, this show rarely has anyone run into any wild animals. Watch that happen on the next trip, be with this gang or with the Outclub (ft. Ena).
Despite the harrowing experience, Rin and Ayano are able to have a good laugh about it after it. What a fun duo these two are. It’s really neat that Rin now has a friend who shares her interest in motorcycling and the two sharing one braincell together is proving to be a winning comedy routine. Honestly, it’s a shame that Ayano isn’t technically part of the main cast. I worry that I’ll miss having her around after this trip ends. She fits into the cast that darn well.
Watch Laid-Back Camp on Crunchyroll
Xenodude's Scribbles 