This is part two of Chiaki, Aoi, and Ena’s embellished and fourth wall breaking recount of their camping trip for Season 3. Here, they settle down at the campsite and enjoy dinner. Toba-sensei joins them partway through and true to her character, she gets drunk again.
I almost never comment on episode titles but this particular episode’s name, “The Food Porn Begins!!” did stand out to me. The title comes from Nadeshiko’s use of “food porn” last episode, which I completely glossed over in the last episode review. I don’t find the phrase that out of the blue. Like, it is surprising coming from Nadeshiko but I have heard the phrase before and I don’t speak Japanese so I’m not the expert to question the translation. Really, I’m baffled with the title because this episode is neither the first nor the last time we’ll see food porn in Laid-Back Camp. That’s just part of the show’s M.O. at this point. Putting aside the fact that this episode does showcase a lot of food, it just seems odd to me to single that aspect out in the title.
Not much to say about said food porn in this episode. As I said in the Season 3 Episode 5 review, these moments are stale but they are standard fare for Laid-Back Camp so I can only talk about them for so much. I suppose the highlight is the pizza scene. Chiaki has apparently developed a craving for pizza (how relatable) and Aoi and Ena promise her to cook some for dinner. To Chiaki’s annoyance, the two use their first pizza crust to make okonomiyaki. It’s not explicitly stated to be a troll but knowing Aoi and Ena, that is undoubtedly their intent. Honestly, these two should team up more often. There’s also Chiaki showcasing her homemade assuages again. They’re still not great but they’re at least better than the last batch. The fact that Chiaki settles on them being okay says a lot about her track record and I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
Like with the last episode, the main plot of this episode is not a traditional flashback but rather a recreation of the trip where the girls are free to destroy all sense of the fourth wall. That was a given going into this episode but in case you somehow forgot, Aoi does re-establish this as the episode. Otherwise, this episode actually goes a few minutes before Nadeshiko reappears in her reality defying square. I’d be lying if I said this gimmick didn’t get a few laughs. Chiaki trying to present Toba-sensei as someone who can handle her alcohol, only for the result to disturb her and the others, is hilarious. I also enjoyed Nadeshiko interjecting the food scenes with her own comments and explanations. But I don’t know, I just find the gimmick weird and unnecessary.
It especially perplexes me at the end. Chikuwa tucking himself in his own square to stay warm and everyone else trying to join in is funny but how does that work when this is all just a recount by Chiaki and Aoi? Why would they want to derail their story that much anyway? In the real world, is Nadeshiko looking at her friends like they’ve gone insane? Furthermore, what’s the deal with Hanpen? I chuckled then Akio Otsuka starts voicing him but Chiaki and Aoi are done telling the story. It’s technically over so it’s bizarre to see it continue and for it treat Hanpen like he’s the last remaining being in this world that doesn’t even exist (or does it?).
Back to the real world, the Outclub decides to stop chopping firewood for the day. Nadeshiko thinks it’d be great to leave a lot of firewood for future members of the club and that had me thinking that it’d be cool to see Laid-Back Camp add a kohai character and have her deal with her crazy senpais. I’m doubtful this will ever happen however. For one, we’re three seasons in and in-universe, the show has only covered half a year, give or take. Unless there’s a timeskip, I can’t imagine we’ll see the girls in their next school year. Second, getting more members means the Outclub could finally upgrade from the closet and we can’t have that happening.
For the immediate future, the girls are looking forward to the cherry blossom themed trip. Really neat that Rin pitches the location this time around. I doubt she’ll ever join the Outclub officially but this goes to show the camaraderie that’s grown between her and the rest of the main cast.
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