Scan barcode
A review by sarahdm
Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 1 by Afro
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Reading Notes
This manga reminded me so much of K-on. This is definitely a "Cute Girls Doing Cute Things" type of manga. There is really not a lot going on, just information, girls hanging out, and scenery. I think you either love this type of Slice of Life or completely hate it.
This manga uses a lot of full page/double page panel lay out. There are 3 just in chapter one. I think it works really well for the landscape shots.
Also every time they eat in this manga its just perfect. I know in chapter one, page 25 when Kagamihara is eating the ramen, I can just feel those panels.
Here is a link to refresh your mind: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-one-ramen-scene-3JTeXtF
And Here it is again in chapter 4 with the hot pot: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-4-hot-pot-kXpvPDg
The steam. The lines showing that its dark outside. The close up on the hands, mouth, and food. It just perfectly conveys that feeling of eating or drinking something warm when its cold outside and that cozy feeling you get. Its just perfect. Loved it so much! After reading these chapters I wanted ramen or hot pot so bad, I settled for instant ramen since hot pot is kind of pricey in my area. Would have been better if it wasn't 90 degrees outside.
The four-panel comics at the end of the chapters were cute. Very Azumanga Daioh. A lot of the humor in these chapters is very much like that manga too. (Lots of word play going on). I see that the creator's other manga is a four-panel. I think the panel layout in Laid Back Camp makes a lot of sense knowing the creator comes form four-panel. Not a lot of dynamic panel layouts. Reminds me a lot of early Yotsuba (square, non-dynamic paneling with lots of full page illustrations).
On MangaDex there are translation and travel notes with lots of info about the locations. Not sure if its in the official book too but I found this super fun to read through.
I also really like the dialog between the characters, especially when they text each other.
Here it is in Chapter 3: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-3-texting-pXC8l0m
The way that they are joking and teasing each other is really realistic dialog. Teasing banter showing that they can joke like that and still be friendly, its almost like siblings.
I like how animals (dogs) are drawn in this series. They all look so cute!
I think the only thing I don't like are the Outdoor Club chapters. They are way more slap stick and info dumping than the outdoor/camping chapters are so laid back and cozy and I just don't get that vibe when they are at school. I know they have to have events in between camping but it just kind of disrupted the flow/the mood.
Other Notes
I read the wiki for this series. Apparently the manga/anime increased tourism in the places that are featured which I thought was really cool. (Its like how figure skating viewership went up after Yuri on Ice aired).
I also saw that there is an anime and a live action! I feel like a live action could really work with this story, especially if they got to film on site for some of these locations. Though I am not sure if the food scenes would still work in live action. Manga really has a way of romanticizing food better than real life, lol. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the live action online. I might have to keep digging or maybe try out the anime.
Final Thoughts
Overall, very cute manga. Might keep reading it and might check out the live action (if I can find it!). I think my only concern is usually with this type of manga (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) the charm usually wears off and I get bored of nothing really happening. Guess I'll see how far I get.
This manga reminded me so much of K-on. This is definitely a "Cute Girls Doing Cute Things" type of manga. There is really not a lot going on, just information, girls hanging out, and scenery. I think you either love this type of Slice of Life or completely hate it.
This manga uses a lot of full page/double page panel lay out. There are 3 just in chapter one. I think it works really well for the landscape shots.
Also every time they eat in this manga its just perfect. I know in chapter one, page 25 when Kagamihara is eating the ramen, I can just feel those panels.
Here is a link to refresh your mind: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-one-ramen-scene-3JTeXtF
And Here it is again in chapter 4 with the hot pot: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-4-hot-pot-kXpvPDg
The steam. The lines showing that its dark outside. The close up on the hands, mouth, and food. It just perfectly conveys that feeling of eating or drinking something warm when its cold outside and that cozy feeling you get. Its just perfect. Loved it so much! After reading these chapters I wanted ramen or hot pot so bad, I settled for instant ramen since hot pot is kind of pricey in my area. Would have been better if it wasn't 90 degrees outside.
The four-panel comics at the end of the chapters were cute. Very Azumanga Daioh. A lot of the humor in these chapters is very much like that manga too. (Lots of word play going on). I see that the creator's other manga is a four-panel. I think the panel layout in Laid Back Camp makes a lot of sense knowing the creator comes form four-panel. Not a lot of dynamic panel layouts. Reminds me a lot of early Yotsuba (square, non-dynamic paneling with lots of full page illustrations).
On MangaDex there are translation and travel notes with lots of info about the locations. Not sure if its in the official book too but I found this super fun to read through.
I also really like the dialog between the characters, especially when they text each other.
Here it is in Chapter 3: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-3-texting-pXC8l0m
The way that they are joking and teasing each other is really realistic dialog. Teasing banter showing that they can joke like that and still be friendly, its almost like siblings.
I like how animals (dogs) are drawn in this series. They all look so cute!
I think the only thing I don't like are the Outdoor Club chapters. They are way more slap stick and info dumping than the outdoor/camping chapters are so laid back and cozy and I just don't get that vibe when they are at school. I know they have to have events in between camping but it just kind of disrupted the flow/the mood.
Other Notes
I read the wiki for this series. Apparently the manga/anime increased tourism in the places that are featured which I thought was really cool. (Its like how figure skating viewership went up after Yuri on Ice aired).
I also saw that there is an anime and a live action! I feel like a live action could really work with this story, especially if they got to film on site for some of these locations. Though I am not sure if the food scenes would still work in live action. Manga really has a way of romanticizing food better than real life, lol. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the live action online. I might have to keep digging or maybe try out the anime.
Final Thoughts
Overall, very cute manga. Might keep reading it and might check out the live action (if I can find it!). I think my only concern is usually with this type of manga (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) the charm usually wears off and I get bored of nothing really happening. Guess I'll see how far I get.