[DeepL Translation - needs review] Volume 1 Introduction: My name is Itaru Kinokura, I'm 34 years old. My hobby is camping. I'm a solo camper who camps alone. I don't need a car. I take the train, and finally the bus into the mountains. He loves nature, fire, trees, water, soil. Equally I love my solitary way of life.... I am.......! By chance, he meets a 20-year-old girl named Kusano Shizuku, and the two of them end up camping together solo!
(Translator: DeepL)
Well worth your time
In practical terms, this manga is a solid 5-star resource for language learning, and it might surpass the usefulness of most titles that hold a 5-star rating. The plot is simple: Gen enjoys camping alone and meets a young girl named Shizuku, who is trying to learn how to camp on her own while also dreaming of becoming a chef.
The manga’s formula alternates between Gen teaching Shizuku about camping, Shizuku cooking different dishes and explaining the process, and the two of them chatting with each other and their respective friends about life, relationships, etc. This structure makes it particularly effective for language learning because, when explaining things to each other, their conversations feature a down-to-earth mix of procedural language, decision-making, and option evaluation. And, when the dialogue shifts to topics like life, personal goals, orrelationships, all the characters speak in a very natural way. There are no quirks or overly “manga-like” words or constructions.
I also found the plot enjoyable, though it’s hard to predict who might appreciate it in terms of story and pacing since the concept is somewhat niche. That said, the first season of the anime is currently airing, so you can check out the first episode if you’re curious.