The Three Muskabears go camping and finally invite Penguin for once.

——

They say that those who have suffered similar hardships are able to form an wavering and deep connection with each other. That can be said true for two characters this week.

Shirokuma Cafe has already done a picnic episode, a fishing episode and a beach episode, so it’s only natural that a camping episode is checked off this season’s nature-centered checklist. This time around, though, we get an episode where both Grizzly and Penguin spend time with Shirokuma and Panda, instead of just one or the other.

It starts off teasing an unfiltered Grizzly not being able to get along with an uptight Penguin, but we later find that Grizzly and Penguin have more in common than initially thought. As those of you have witnessed all season, whenever a group outing between Shirokuma/Panda/Penguin or Shirokuma/Panda/Grizzly occurs, Shirokuma and Panda always cause trouble for whoever the third animal is. The former two always fool around, always making it difficult for the latter to responsibly get things done. Due to this fact, Grizzly and Penguin are able to see eye to eye more quickly, despite the height difference, and are able win each other’s respect.

The second half of the episode is spent chronicling more of Rin Rin’s love for Panda. This time, a poor high school girl is unsuspectingly caught in the crossfire. You see, this unnamed girl has a crush on Rin Rin, and when Rin Rin asks her out on a “date,” her dream come true turns into a nightmare when she realizes what she’s in for and what Rin Rin’s interests are really about.

It’s a good thing Penguin was involved in the recent bearmance trip, because while I like it when Shirokuma, Panda and Grizzly get ample screen time, there’s just so many things you can do before the result becomes repetitive. Adding Penguin to the mix helped change the group dynamic a bit, and it resulted in a nice bonding moment between he and Grizzly.

Similarly, it’s always amusing when Rin Rin and his unhealthy obsession with Panda is spotlighted. At the same time, I thought this week’s scenario was a little too bizarre and didn’t work as well. It’s bad enough that he’s unintentionally leading on a girl who I can only assume is not of legal age, but the florist came off extra creepy and more annoying than usual. Also, it’s the second straight episode that an unnamed character gets focused on, although I will admit that they were hilarious in the position that they were put in.

I’m still waiting for a Sasako-centered episode.

GO Rating: 3/5

Sorry to burst your bubble, nameless girl, but Rin Rin has a much different fetish.