A Note From LofZOdyssey: I want to apologize for the length, or rather, lack of length of this post. I don’t like to release quick little blurbs about a series I am reviewing since the goal of this site is to help guide you to find your next anime. However, during the viewing window I had to watch my next show some rather important events transpired in my personal life. Of course, by some, I mean one.
On April 17, 2020, I married the love of my life. There was no grand ceremony; we are planning that for some time in 2022 (this was all in motion before the spread of COVID-19). The original intention was to head down to our local ward office (we live in Japan for those who don’t know), and have a more intimate gathering of friends to celebrate. But then a global pandemic happened, so the latter half was canceled. Therefore, and tell me if you think I was too unreasonable (sarcasm), I thought it best to spend the first weekend of my marriage with my wife. I simply didn’t have time to watch a full-length series that might have warranted a more in-depth discussion.
As such, I went with Heya Camp, a short-form, took less than forty minutes to watch series. It will surprise me if this post cracks 500 words (not counting this segment).
I hope you are all staying safe and healthy out there. Now, on with the review.
Original Run: January 6, 2020 - March 23, 2020 Number of Episodes: 12 Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Based on the Series Created By: Afro
***Warning, the following may contain episodes for Heya Camp. Reader discretion is advised.***
Series Synopsis
Nadeshiko Kagamihara (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori) and her fellow Outdoor Activities Club members Aoi Inuyama and Chiaki Oogaki (voiced respectively by Aki Toyosaki and Sayuri Hara) decide to participate in a stamp rally. To complete the event, the trio must travel to many different locations around Mt. Fuji. Along the way, Nadeshiko can have the chance to get to know her new hometown.
Series Positives
For many reasons, Yuru Camp was one of my favorite series from 2018. On the one hand, it was just a really well-made show with great characters, a fun story, and outstanding animation. On the other hand, it rekindled the camping bug within me that has been lying dormant these past few years. Despite all that, though, I almost passed on Heya Camp.
Since this was not the second season of Yuru Camp, and was, instead, a short-form anime that was most likely unessential to the main series, I was okay with passing it up. However, curiosity (and time constraints) got the best of me. Having now seen the show, it was pretty much what I expected it to be. Fortunately, I expected it to be fun.
Although not on the level of its predecessor, Heya Camp also fueled an urge to go exploring – and I’m sure that call had nothing at all to do with the necessary self-isolation to fight a certain epidemic going on at the time of this post going live.
For those expecting a continuation of Yuru Camp, you will not get one here in Heya Camp. Nevertheless, there will still be the same level of animation and atmosphere seen and felt in the original. This series was relaxing, and it did wonders to highlight the beauty of the Mt. Fuji area, something I can attest to.
There wasn’t much in the way of character growth or story progression, but given the length of this show, that is no surprise. Heya Camp was a nice little taste to hold us over until the actual season two comes.
Series Negatives
It wasn’t season two.
Final Thoughts
A quick review for a quick series.
Honestly, though, if you haven’t seen the original show, make sure you check it out before this one. Consider this post a reconfirmation that Yuru Camp is very much worth watching. After all, if a small taste of this series is enough to satisfy, imagine what the real thing can be.
Heya Camp has earned a recommendation.
But these are just my thoughts. What are yours? Have you seen this series? How would you advise Heya Camp? Leave a comment down below because I would love to hear what you have to say.
If you liked what you have read, be sure to follow Anime Hajime on our social media sights so that you never miss a post or update. Also, please share this review across the internet to help add to the discussion.
For Anime Hajime, I’m LofZOdyssey, and I’ll see you next time.
More From The Yuru Camp Series
I loved both Yuru Camp and Room Camp (Heya Camp)! Just great, relaxing fun!