English Dub Review: Laid Back Camp Seasons 2 and 3

Based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Afro. The story continues as Rin Shima sets off on a solo trip to catch the New Year sunrise by the sea, but unexpected weather conditions leave her stranded with no way home. Thankfully, Nadeshiko Kagamihara invites her to stay at her grandmother’s house, turning a short getaway into an extended adventure filled with sightseeing, memorable encounters, and deepening friendships. The titular show continues to follow Rin, Nadeshiko, and their friends as they embrace the serenity and charm of camping life, while Season 3 shifts focus slightly. Within the cozy Outdoor Activities Club room, the group’s DIY spirit continues to thrive, drawing Nadeshiko even closer to the joy of solo camping. Before she can set off on her own, however, Rin and Ayano invite her on a riverside camping trip near the Ooi River, sparking another heartfelt journey filled with laughter, discovery, and the kind of treasured memories that define the series’ spirit.

On the Technical side, the second season was directed by Masato Jinbo, with Mutsumi Ito handling series composition and Mutsumi Sasaki as character designer. Yoshiaki Kyōgoku is credited as supervisor, while C-Station is returning to produce the short anime. The opening theme song is “Seize the Day”, performed by Asaka, and the ending theme song is “Next to Spring”, performed by Eri Sasaki. The third season was animated by Eight Bit and directed by Shin Tosaka, with Masafumi Sugiura handling series composition and Hisanori Hashimoto designing the characters. The opening theme song is “Laid-Back Journey, performed by Kiminone, and the ending theme song is “So Precious”, performed by Asaka. As for Season 3, it was animated by Eight Bit and directed by Shin Tosaka, with Masafumi Sugiura handling series composition and Hisanori Hashimoto redesigning the characters. The third season’s opening theme song was “Laid-Back Journey, performed by Kiminone, and the ending theme song was “So Precious”, performed by Asaka.

Laid-Back Camp Season 2 picks up exactly where the first season left off, continuing the girls’ cozy camping adventures with renewed confidence and a slightly more mature tone. The series broadens its thematic reach, moving beyond the simple joys of roasting marshmallows and admiring mountaintops. Instead, it delves into more grounded, real-world elements of the camping lifestyle—like planning trips, saving up for gear, and learning about safety in the outdoors. Rin’s continued solo journeys and Nadeshiko’s growing independence highlight a soft but clear evolution of character, while the group dynamics among Chiaki, Aoi, Ena, and newcomer Ayano remain as warm and natural as ever. The second season builds upon everything that worked in the original, preserving its slow, comforting rhythm while deepening the emotional resonance between the characters.

The magic of Season 2 lies in its ability to take everyday moments and turn them into emotionally rich experiences. A simple shopping trip for a new lantern or preparing a meal over a campfire becomes meaningful in the context of friendship, effort, and memory-making. Scenes like Nadeshiko thoughtfully buying a gift for her sister or Rin discovering a new sense of connection during her solo treks are quietly powerful without needing drama or conflict. These aren’t just filler moments—they’re the heart of the show. Every interaction, whether humorous or touching, adds a layer to the world and its cast. The charm isn’t just in the camping itself but in how these girls experience the world—attentively, earnestly, and always with a sense of wonder.

Season 3, however, represents a marked departure in both tone and execution. With 8-bit taking over from C-Station and a new director at the helm, the change in studio was immediately felt by longtime fans. While the series tries to maintain its signature atmosphere, the subtlety and sincerity that defined the first two seasons are noticeably diminished. This season leans more heavily into tourism-focused episodes, where sightseeing takes priority over the emotional and character-driven storytelling the series was once celebrated for. While solo camping remains present, especially for characters like Rin and Nadeshiko, the camaraderie and slow-burn development that once anchored the show are often overshadowed by info-dump travel segments. The heartfelt moments that once defined Laid-Back Camp are fewer and far between, making this installment feel more like a surface-level postcard tour than a soul-soothing journey.

Visually and sonic-ally, the differences are even starker. Seasons 1 and 2, under C-Station’s care, offered beautifully cohesive visuals: delicately drawn character models set against painterly, immersive backgrounds. Season 3’s transition to 8-bit brought sharper, more filtered photographic backdrops that often clash with the animation, creating a disconnect that disrupts the show’s immersion. The character designs were tweaked as well—not drastically, but enough that they lack the warmth and softness fans were used to. Compositing issues, overuse of CG for scenery and vehicles, and inconsistent art direction further weaken the show’s aesthetic unity. On the audio side, while the music still features acoustic instruments and gentle melodies, the Season 3 score lacks the emotional layering of its predecessors. “Seize the Day” and other iconic tracks from Season 2 brought a warmth that’s mostly absent here, replaced by a more functional, less memorable soundtrack.

Overall, as someone who has covered both seasons when they both had their Dub premieres consecutively, it took me a while to figure out how to carefully cram all this into one article, given how long both seasons turned out to be. Regardless, Laid-Back Camp remains a beloved and soothing series, but the contrast between Seasons 2 and 3 is hard to ignore. Season 2 represents everything the show does best—slow-paced, emotionally rich, and visually beautiful, with meaningful growth among its cast. Season 3, while not without its charm, has a noticeable change in it’s art-style when it comes to backgrounds and scenery. Its still comfy and watchable, but lacking the heartfelt spark and narrative cohesion that once made each episode feel like a warm blanket. The shift in studio and tone feels more commercial and less intimate. For newcomers, it’s still a pleasant watch; for longtime fans, it may feel like the series lost a bit of its soul due to the art-style change. But we can only hope it somehow tops itself with the recently announced season 4 coming in the future…