Anime Review: Solo Camping For Two Episodes 1 - 3 (Spoiler Free)
Solo Camping For Two is a camping-themed, slice of life TV anime series based on the original manga by Yudai Debata, serialized in the seinen manga magazine Evening, published by Kodansha from October 2018 to February 2023. It was also adapted as a live-action television drama, which aired from January 9 to February 27, 2025, on Tokyo MX. Animation studio SynergySP produced the TV anime adaptation.
The story revolves around Gen Kinokura, a seasoned solo camper, who one day went on a nature retreat and suddenly encountered Shizuku Kusano, an enthusiastic yet clueless noob at his campsite. Annoyed by her presence, Gen tried to persuade her to go home and leave his campsite, but Shizuku wouldn't take no for an answer. Thus, he was stuck with her for the rest of the night.
The next day, Shizuku proposed an idea to Gen of going on a solo camping trip for two and becoming his apprentice. Gen wasn't keen on the idea, but eventually agreed to it just so she would leave him alone on his future camping trips. Thus, new camping adventures await the unusual tandem of Gen and Shizuku in the outdoors.
Episode one of Solo Camping For Two was very entertaining. Gen was definitely in for a surprise of his life when Shizuku suddenly crashed his campsite, thus ruining his alone time in the outdoors. Handling a bubbly yet annoying personality like Shizuka's can be tough and challenging for an introvert like Gen. Despite that, Gen somehow managed to enjoy his camping trip even with Shizuku around.
Shizuku learns more about solo camping from Gen the hard way in Episode Two. Gen still gives Shizuku some good pieces of advice during the trip, but just like in Episode One, he's reluctant to spend his outdoor fun with her.
Gen suddenly had a change of heart in Episode Three. Throughout the episode, Gen is slowly warming up to Shizuku despite his desire to still go on a solo camping trip. It could very well be the beginning of a new friendship between Gen and Shizuku, albeit in their master-student set-up.
Solo Camping For Two is a promising slice-of-life anime series. It has a nice story that anyone can relate to, whether you're a camping enthusiast or not. The slow build-up of Gen and Shizuku's friendship is actually a good thing, as it should keep a lot of interest with their tandem throughout the anime.
The interactions between Gen and Shizuku are really entertaining. An introverted person would certainly know how Gen feels about dealing with a highly extroverted person in Shizuku.
The anime has very colorful and detailed visuals, though some cuts have rather stiff animation. Overall, SynergySP did great work on the anime adaptation of Solo Camping For Two. Hopefully, there will be some improvements on the animations in the upcoming episodes.
The anime series could very well entice people to go on a camping trip, whether with friends or alone. Fans of the original manga will enjoy watching its TV anime adaptation. Solo Camping For Two is definitely worth checking out.
Solo Camping For Two is now streaming on Crunchyroll with new episodes every Thursday.
