I started watching this series after seeing it recommended by one of my favourite anime tiktok accounts. She said it was great for healing and calming your mental health. I didn't think much of that at the time, I just thought 'Eh, okay I'll give it a go then', but after watching just one episode I was blown away.
The art style is absolutely stunning and I think that alone is a huge reason for my enjoyment of the series. The picturesque scenes of the mountains and the city lights along with a plethora of other beautiful scenes created the perfect ambience in my bedroom to relax. Every night before bed I would make it a ritual to watch Yuru Camp before sleeping, since I was able to fully relax when watching the show. Yuru Camp isn't necessarily an anime that you feel like you can't stop watching, neither is it a show that is massively exciting, however it is a series that will make you feel so much at once. Nostalgia, joy, awe, and laughter, I've never felt such an intense emotional connection with a show before this one.
I understand that animes having plots that contain huge dilemmas and uncertainties can be essential for some viewers, but when you have anxiety, it is so refreshing to watch a series where nothing is uncertain; you're simply watching a group of friends grow closer in their mutual love for camping.
When it comes to what makes the show so amazing, I think that while the art style plays a massive part, the friendship and the individual characters also largely add to it. Rin and Nadeshiko's characters especially! When it come's to Rin, I believe that a lot of introverts like myself can empathise with her love for solo camping and spending time enjoying the scenery with her own company. To be able to watch as Rin slowly comes out of her shell and connects with others more while still maintaining her love for being alone is truly heart-warming. And her particular closeness with Nadeshiko is insanely adorable.
Speaking of Nadeshiko, I 100% think that she is the best character in the whole show; which says alot when the comedic genius Aki exists! But Nadeshiko has so much charm to her, and not just any charm, a really unique one where she isn't just the bubbly, smiley character, but she's also one who wants to learn more about the world, wants to improve her own self and is respectful and understanding of other people's different ways of life. When she really wanted Rin to camp with her and her new friends, she didn't force her to, or pressure her in any way. She simply told her that if she wanted to do a group camp, that would always be an option. And I feel like that's such a small yet rare and beautiful gesture. In a lot of comedy animes, introverted characters are made fun of and jokes are made about them like it's no big deal, but this one treats every topic with so much care and gentleness, while still maintaining comedic aspects elsewhere. The intricate way of building character development and friendship in the series is nothing short of remarkable.
There's thousands of reason's I've rated this anime a score of 100 but I'll shorten them down to one: it's a perfect series. Of course it may not be everyone's taste, and that's okay, but I would personally feel like I've done a disservice if I rated it anything less when I got more out of this anime than I have from any other. I usually find it very difficult to rate an anime or any show perfectly as I am a perfectionist through and through, however I literally cannot fault this one.
The only fault I have is the fact that a season 3 isn't out yet, because I need another season asap!
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