In the eighth volume of Afro’s Laid-Back Camp manga, all the members of the OEC are taking a trip to do some camping in Izu. That includes Rin as well, though everyone does have some preparations to make beforehand.
This volume contains chapters forty-one through to forty-six.
Front cover of the eight volume of Laid-Back Camp, featuring Rin Shima & Nadeshiko Kagamihara (as well as Aoi & Akari Inuyama in the car)
It’s the moment the girls have all been waiting for: the Izu camping trip! From beautiful volcanic rock formations to unique foods (like wasabi ice cream!), Izu is a scenic peninsula with a lot to offer travellers. But while the rest of the Outdoor Exploration Club are heading there by car, Rin decides to ride all the way down on her longest scooter trip ever. This adventure is guaranteed to leave some lasting memories!
Izu was actually first mentioned way back in chapter six of the manga, so we have come quite a way for the Outdoor Exploration Club to finally get to this point. Of course, they don’t just set off on a whim; there are plenty of preparations to be made beforehand.
Rin in particular makes some modifications to her scooter to give herself a more comfortable ride. She may not be doing any solo camping this time around, but Rin does plan to travel to Izu by herself.
This results in Rin spending some quality time with her family, and the knowledge that she takes after her grandparents and parents. It is a relatively small thing, but it is nice to see Rin’s family all together.
Once all the preparations have been made, everyone makes their way to Izu. There’s actually a lot to see and do in Izu, and Afro definitely captures some of the amazing landscapes the girls encounter very well. Well, I assume. There are a lot of interesting geospots to be found.
There also happens to be a bit more to the plan than just camping in Izu, with Rin and Chiaki coming up with a “shrimp strategy”. With so much to do in Izu, the shrimp strategy is something that will have to wait until volume 9, though.
With all the interesting sights that both Rin and the OEC encounter, the eighth volume of Laid-Back Camp continues to provide an enjoyable read. There’s some laughs to be had as well, as tends to be the par for Afro’s manga. The Izu arc has only just begun in this volume, which means it will be continuing into volume nine. Plenty to look forward to, there.
Rory Muses 