Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△) is a Japanese manga series by Afro, centered around the relaxing and charming camping adventures of high school girls near Yamanashi Prefecture.
The story beautifully weaves together outdoor recreation, local cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and friendship.
Since its serialization in 2015, the series has expanded into anime, drama, movies, and games, beloved for its soothing pace and relatable characters.
Renowned for inspiring a real-world camping boom, Laid-Back Camp has achieved over 10 million copies in circulation.
Afro, the creator, initially struggled to gain popularity with earlier works.
After contributing a spin-off for the famous series Puella Magi Madoka Magica, he was approached by an editorial staff member from Houbunsha for a new project.
Afro's fondness for motorcycle touring and outdoor experiences shaped the foundation for Laid-Back Camp, blending personal camping trips into the story.
Careful site visits, meticulous research, and firsthand experiences ensure authentic depiction of campgrounds and regional details.
The main cast resides in and around Yamanashi Prefecture, attending the fictional Motosu High School.
Key locations mirror real-life sites: mountains, lakes, hot springs, and local diners, with landmarks featured as part of character travels.
A balance is struck between solo and group camping, highlighting both styles equally.
Group adventures are often made possible through the school’s Outdoor Activities Club, while solo camps allow introspective moments.
Rin Shima enjoys the peace of off-season solo camping.
Her tranquil routine is interrupted when she helps Nadeshiko Kagamihara, a new student who gets stranded while visiting Mount Fuji.
Inspired by Rin, Nadeshiko joins the school's Outdoor Activities Club, led by the boisterous Chiaki Ōgaki and the easy-going Aoi Inuyama.
Together, they embark on a variety of cozy, affordable camping trips, preparing food, stargazing, and soaking in hot springs—sometimes joined by Rin or Ena Saitō, Rin’s friend.
The recurring theme highlights new connections, personal growth, and the small joys found in sharing quiet moments with friends or in solitude.
As the series progresses, various combinations of girls experiment with group trips, solo adventures, and spontaneous camping scenarios.
A spin-off, Room Camp, focuses on the club’s lighthearted downtime, featuring amusing what-ifs, trivia, and outlandish tales.
- Solo Camp (Solo Camping): Camping alone, emphasizing tranquility and self-reliance, preferred by Rin.
- Group Camp: With friends or the Outdoor Activities Club, involving more lively conversations, shared meals, and collaborative setups.
- Outdoor Activities Club (Yagai Katsudo Circle, "Oku-ru"): The school club dedicated to camping, started by Chiaki and Aoi, later joined by Nadeshiko and others.
- Secret Society Blanket: A recurring inside joke where characters huddle in blankets for warmth, personified as a mysterious organization.
- Manga: Serialized since 2015, with 17 volumes published as of March 2025.
- Anime:
- Season 1 aired in 2018.
- Season 2 (Laid-Back Camp SEASON2) in 2021.
- Season 3 (SEASON3) in 2024.
- Season 4 announced for future production.
- Movie: Released in July 2022, depicting the main cast as adults renovating a former campground.
- Drama: Broadcast live-action adaptations:
- Season 1 in 2020,
- Season 2 in 2021.
- Games: Multiple virtual, adventure, and mobile games, including a VR adaptation and puzzle events.
- Spin-offs & Guides: Room Camp, anime comics, official guidebooks, and travel-related collaborations.
The series is notable for its in-depth location research.
Creators and staff frequently visit actual campgrounds, highways, shops, and tourist sites to ensure an accurate visual and atmospheric portrayal.
Real-world products, like camping gear and scooters (notably Rin’s Yamaha Vino), are faithfully depicted and have become the foundation for several tie-in collaborations.
Each anime season features opening and ending themes performed by contemporary artists, including Asaka and Eri Sasaki.
The soft, upbeat folk-inspired melodies complement the show’s relaxed tone.
The soundtrack consists primarily of acoustic instruments, evoking a natural, outdoorsy feel.
- Nominated and included in "2019 Great Graphic Novels for Teens" by the American Library Association.
- Nominated for the Eisner Award (Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia) in 2019.
- Winner of the "Location Japan Award" (Special Prize for Impact) for its promotional effect on tourism and real-life camping.
Laid-Back Camp is credited with sparking a nationwide rise in camping and tourism to featured locations.
Fans cite the approachable characters and practical camping advice as inspirational for beginners.
Local governments and companies collaborated on themed merchandise, travel events, and commemorative goods, further contributing to the show's popularity and economic impact.
Critically, it's praised for its gentle humor, detailed environmental art, and positive depiction of female friendship and independence.
The influence of Laid-Back Camp extends to real-world collaborations, with limited-edition camping gear, food recipes, tourism campaigns, and even local train and bus decorations.
Meta jokes, character crossovers (such as with Hello Kitty and other series), and ongoing fan activities keep the franchise lively and accessible.
The charm of the series remains rooted in its celebration of the outdoors, everyday happiness, and the warmth of shared experiences.
💬 Community Discussion
Talk about this anime with people who actually care.