So not only are Rin and Nadeshiko are off doing their own thing, so are the other three main characters. It’s a solo adventure for everyone. This episode formally adds Chiaki’s and Ena’s perspective. The only one getting the short end of the stick is Aoi, who doesn’t show up until the last scene before the ED. It would’ve been funny if her point of view was added in. This episode already has to switch between four of them, it might as well have a fifth. Hopefully, the next episode elaborates on what she’s been up to.
Ena’s scenes are arguably the ones that stand out the most. For one, she brings Chikuwa out for a walk and the presence of Chikuwa automatically gives Laid-Back Camp a lot of free points. Two, this scene marks the formal introduction of two characters teased by the OP, Ema Mizunami (Maria Sashide) and Mei Nakatsugawa (Kokoa Amano). Ema appears more prominently than Mei and she is established to be an aspiring illustrator who is about to enter high school. By chance, she meets Ena while working on some drawings. The interaction between them is pretty cute.
Given that Ema and Mei have more memorable character designs compared to other minor characters and the fact that the OP has teased them since the beginning of the season, it is safe to say that these two will play a pretty prominent role down the line. Within the episode itself, there’s a few hints suggesting that both girls might join the Outclub. Neither Ema nor Mei explicitly mention what high school they’re thinking of going but given that the scene takes place somewhere local, it’s highly likely that they’ll attend Motosu High School, the same one as the main cast. The two also discuss about potential clubs to join, which is curious since the Outclub is still one member short of getting a larger room. It might finally happen! I must say, if Ema at least joins the club, she’d fit right in. Poor girl can’t afford a tablet to draw with. She’s just as broke as the main characters.
Assuming Ema and Mei will join the club, I’m worried that this season won’t get to it. I mean, there’s only two episodes left after this one and the show is currently occupied with an ongoing arc. I’d be shocked if to manages to get to the new girls’ next scene before Season 3 ends. Chances are, the show will get to it in Season 4…we are getting a Season 4, right?
As for the other POVs, Rin is traveling around to take pictures of cherry blossoms. By chance, she comes across a familiar road that her family once took during a road trip. I like the sentimental tone of the scene but this does make me want another flashback episode with Rin. Hell, we’ve never really seen Rin go camping with her parents so it’d be nice to have a more extensive look at that.
Nadeshiko is still sightseeing with Sakura. As I said in the last episode review, it’s nice to see the older sister have some screentime again. Her stoicism and dry sense of humor is a delightful contrast to Nadeshiko’s boundless energy. Continuing from her solo camping earlier in the season, Nadeshiko has developed an interest in trains. She gets really excited when she comes across a retro train exhibit and she strongly considers going on a train-themed tour for her next camping trip when Sakura suggests a related museum for her to check out. I kind of find this newfound interest a bit random for Nadeshiko. It just feels like an excuse for her to do something different and to keep Laid-Back Camp‘s narrative fresh. I don’t want to complaint too much however as honestly, a train-themed trip does sound like a lot of fun. That’ll probably happen in Season 4…we are getting a Season 4, right?
I’m a little surprised to see Chiaki go solo camping. Being the Outclub’s leader, I kind of figured that she’d rather do group trips only. Then again, having someone other than Rin and Nadeshiko camp alone is refreshing. I was curious if Chiaki would conclude that solo camping isn’t for her but at one point, she says that she understands why Rin is so into it. Naturally, since she’s been doing this since forever, Chiaki passes the time by doing more DIY stuff. It’s very funny that one of things she tries to makes is a mocktail. Her time at the liquor store is rubbing off on her. I think the movie was onto something when it made Chiaki be a drunkard.
By the end of the episode, Rin meets up with Nadeshiko and Sakura after realizing that they’re all close to each other. Meanwhile, Chiaki bumps into Aoi while chilling at a hot spring. Judging by how nonchalantly Aoi greets Chiaki, I’m convinced that she deliberately planned to meet with Chiaki and chose to not tell her friend because it’d be funny (which it kind of is, to be fair). I really like how the main characters are running into each other after doing their own thing. That’s a nice way for the show to transition into the presumed group trip that’s expected for the end of the season.
Watch Laid-Back Camp on Crunchyroll
Xenodude Scribbles 
Spoilers sweetie…. spoilers! 🙂 🙂
That being said, if my calculations are correct there’s currently just barely enough published material for a 4th season. They’re coming to the end of Vol 13, and Vol 16 was just published (in Japan), so there’s probably enough chapters for a Vol 17.
You didn’t mention Chiaki’s mocktails! I make a nice ginger liqueur, and just made a batch a couple of weeks ago because with carbonated water from my wife’s Sodastream it makes for a nice summer cooler. So, I was inspired by her Saratoga Cooler. But I pondered the flavors, and I didn’t think the drink as presented would actually be all that palatable.
So, I did some Googling and discovered there’s a LOT of variation in the recipe. And none that I found resembled Chiaki’s version. (Though I’ll give Afro-sensei the benefit of the doubt, their food research is spot on so far and I can’t really search Japanese language material.) But I did find this, a version from 1917: https://www.thefoodhistorian.com/blog/food-history-happy-hour-saratoga-cooler-1917, which is recognizable as a distant ancestor.
So I picked up some lime juice from the grocery store and gave it a whirl, and it’s actually not bad at all. Going to have to work on my recipe though, as diluted to sipping strength with carbonated water my liqueur is much lighter in flavor than ginger ale.
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I kind of figured that the anime is very far with adapting the manga. I imagine that if Season 4 happens in, say, 2027, there’ll probably be a comfortable amount of chapters to adapt. That’s of course assuming that it’ll get greenlit in the first place.
I’m not that knowledgeable on drinks so I didn’t comment too much on mocktails. I’d love to try some of the recipes shown off in the show one day. Hope you’ll get Chiaki’s recipe down to a T.
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I think I’m going to stick with something close to the 1917 recipe… Chiaki’s version does not sound appetizing at all.
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Tbf, I think that even if you don’t use as much habanero powder as Chiaki does in the scene, it probably would still be an acquired taste lol.
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