When I first watched the trailer for Solo Camping for Two, I was struck by the slice-of-life vibes and wanted to see more. My YouTube algorithm had caught on to me watching camping videos and I even found myself looking up local places for possible camping and even diving into Reddit for equipment recommendations. I’m already an otaku who is a big fan of slice-of-life–why not pick up the first episode to watch and review?
Here’s a review for the first episode of Solo Camping for Two, which premiered at Anime Expo today July 3, 2025. A big thanks to Crunchyroll for the early access! Solo Camping will air July 10, 2025 – with New episodes every Thursday.
Gen Kinokura just wanted to enjoy his peaceful solo camping trips—no distractions, no problems.
He’s a man dedicated to the pursuit of being outdoors and the solitude it offers. The solo camping life is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. This man’s opening monologue of him traveling to the mountains and setting up camp for the first time solidifies Gen as a quiet, 34-year-old man who is happy to shoot the breeze–with no one but himself out in the wilderness. Sure, we get to see little glimpses of his excitement of small things, but he really comes off as an old soul with a philosophical streak as I watch on.
Gen’s little piece of heaven is abruptly interrupted by the appearance of Shizuku Kusano, a clueless but enthusiastic 20-year-old young woman who crashes his campsite (literally). She’s without vital equipment, had gotten lost along the way and had more mishaps happen today than Gen has cares in the world. Their first meeting is anything but chill, and the clueless newbie recounts her hilariously tragic day to the campground. Gen is NOT amused. Now he’s bothered and stuck with her as she’s woefully unprepared for the night and for surviving on her own.
To complement this episode of Solo Camping for Two, I noticed that the sound production works wonders. I tuned in and heard everything from the crackling fire (even present in the trailer), the sound of nearby rushing water, and even crickets at night-time help reel in the atmosphere. The musical soundtrack eases in some mellow tunes at times, and cheerful accompanying pieces of music at other times. The more dramatic music slips into the soundtrack of the episode with quickness. Especially when Gen and Shizuku end up meeting. It all works together pretty well for such a story thanks to music by Shota Kowashi (Snack Basue).
The comedic moments in the episode are where Animation Studio SynergySP focused the most time and detail into–the scenes where Gen has moments of self-panic and where he comes face to face with Shizuku’s gift, do help pep up the story and the jokes that come forth. While not flashy, the animation does stay pretty consistent throughout the episode. Solo Camping for Two, is a seinen camping-themed manga, so the humor does lean that way. Both campers have such distinctive faces and character designs thanks to Tomomi Shimazaki (Mr. Villain’s Day Off) which not only make them stand out but make you constantly wonder about them. Is that a bruise on Gen’s face? Does Shizuki have a perpetual bed head?
Kodansha serializes the original Solo Camping for Two manga in their Morning seinen manga magazine with Jun Hatori directing the TV anime at animation studio SynergySP. I do love the opposites attract (in love, in friendships, etc.) trope in anime. Here we’re seeing a sort of veteran and newbie, master teacher and inexperienced student dynamic starting to develop with Gen and Shizuki. We must ask what will become of Gen’s peaceful camping life now that it’s turned upside down by this new companion? Aya Satsuki (Ippon Again!) who provides the series composition as well as the scripts for this anime adaptation sprinkles in other questions like what is the value of serendipity in our lives?
Verdict
Fans of slice-of-life and cozy camping anime stories may feel compelled to give Solo Camping for Two a watch. (Laid Back Camp is a global treasure, and this isn’t it!) A new entry to this niche but loved genre of anime with older characters could bring in more audiences looking for aged up characters but still want to watch for the magic of camping and enjoying nature away from others.
I understand that the premise might throw some folks off. Especially because Shizuki doesn’t seem to take no for an answer (BOUNDARIES, MA’MAM. GURL, TAKE THE HINT.) and that outdoors can be dangerous for women and female presenting persons (Have you watched 2019’s film Range Runners?) So far, the vibes are meant to lean more just (fan-service-like) comedic than wholesome with some of their interactions, especially one towards the end not landing and leaving a extremely bad taste in my mouth.
There is something so charming about the camp/outdoor lifestyle genres that anime keeps supplying us with. Senien-flavored, Solo Camping for Two best reminds us that passion about camping and being outdoors can be shared between two people and that unusual circumstances can bring strangers together. Perhaps this series rises above this season despite the mishaps in this first episode with more character development and less situations like the ones present in this first episode. I do love the focus on food and the bits of camping trivia so far, and yet I want substance and a reason to see this new series develop into one that brings the camp/outdoor lifestyle genre of anime a competent new addition to watch and enjoy.
Solo Camping for Two
Streaming on Crunchyroll
July 10, 2025 – New episodes every Thursday
– PRODUCTION STAFF –
Original Work
Based on the manga Solo Camping for Two written and illustrated by Yudai Debata
Directed by
Jun Hatori
Series Composition and Screenplay Written by
Aya Satsuki
Script Written by
Mitsuho Seta
Aya Satsuki
Oka Tanisaki
Character Design by
Tomomi Shimazaki
Art Director
Hiroyuki Hasegawa
Color Design by
Haruko Seto
Director of Photography
Hiroki Tsubouchi
Sound Director
Daiki Hachimaki
Music Composed by
Shota Kowashi
Animation Studio
SynergySP
– SONGS –
Opening Theme Song TBA
Performed by TBA
≠
Ending Theme Song TBA
Performed by TBA
– JAPANESE VOICE CAST / CHARACTERS –
Daiki Hamano as Gen Kinokura
Mizuki Niizaki as Shizuku Kusano
Yohei Azakami as Akihito Takigawa
Saya Aizawa as Sayo Ozora
Yuna Nemoto as Mizuki Hino
Solo Camping will air July 10, 2025 at – with New episodes every Thursday.
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