Last time, Satsuki had the idea of creating an actual film. With that, they decide to make a horror story film. However, that absent club member finally shows up to help make the video.
Satsuki wants to make her video, but they discover that editing the footage is another challenge. After all, the footage is not that appealing as nobody wants to watch an unedited video. Kako mentioned how painful editing a video is, as she is still editing a video from two years ago. After all, the hard part of editing a video is selecting the best parts that keep the viewer engaged.
With that, Shikishima suggests making a point of a video mockumentary —a documentary that is pure fiction but seems real. If appropriately edited, the story can become compelling. Shikishima does a special summoning to summon Tajima, the absent club member of the Cinephoto club.
Funny how Satsuki and An thought it would be a girl with bangs covering her eyes, but it’s quite the opposite. It’s a cheerful red hair. She, of course, is a horror film fan, as she shows some examples to draw inspiration from. The funny thing is that after Satsuki asked about editing and places to do the recording, Tajima disappeared like that without saying anything. Even Haruno seems to like the idea of filming a horror movie.
They, of course, check out Fukashiro Lake while brainstorming ideas for the film. The funny thing is that Satsuki’s, An’s, and Shikishima’s acting is terrible, but Tajima’s acting is very convincing. When it comes to filming the video, yes, Haruno used the round tone statue, which has a Bluetooth speaker inside. The idea is to play scary sounds.
Of course, with the recording, when An and Satsuki with Tajima walked across the bridge, and Tajima approached the statue, she dropped the flashlight and ran in the wrong direction. Also, they heard a splash. Afterwards, everyone became worried that Tajima had disappeared 10 minutes later. Shikishima receives a phone call that Tajima has to go home to attend to urgent errands. While they are relieved that she is safe, they have not seen her for two weeks at school.
Eventually, Shikishima suggests watching the recording. The video appears convincing, but it also includes unexpected recordings. It included some behind-the-scenes footage of Tajima throwing a big rock into the take, running to a pay phone to call Shikishima, and being in the car. Wait, can high school students drive?
After a red-haired girl showed up in a video chat, Shikishima revealed it was a big prank. There is no Tajima in the club, and it was a former member, Inomata, all along. No wonder she’s good at acting, as she also introduces her co-conspirator, who is also in on it. Makinohara appears on camera, and Satsuki is surprised to see Makinohara, the photography club’s president, whom she and An look up to. Satsuki admits that at one time, she became an empty husk without her. Eventually, Satsuki shows all the photos she has taken so far. Satsuki changed thanks to An and the purchase of that 360 camera. If she never bought it, well, they will never meet Haruno. In turn, they wouldn’t go on the various weekend trips and participate in multiple activities, which they took videos and photos of, and meet other mangakas. She is enjoying her time in the Cinephoto club.
Even Shikishima is thinking about buying a camera of her own. She wonders if she should buy a camera of her own, thinking she might end up being lucky like Satsuki and An in meeting someone like Haruno. Either way, Satsuki wants to make a genuine film that is not a prank, as they come up with new ideas for their next film project on the way home.
Final Thoughts
Mono is a fun slice-of-life show featuring girls embarking on various trips, engaging in multiple activities, and even taking photos and videos. In a way, Mono is basically like Yuru Camp, but instead of camping, the girls visit and participate in various activities around Yamanashi.
It’s not too surprising, as the same mangaka is responsible for Mono; we see cameos of Yuru Campcharacters, most notably Nadeshiko and Rin, who appear several times. Not surprisingly, Haruno takes Satsuki, An, and Shikishima to a Yuru Camp pilgrimage, which is quite amusing.
At the same time, it does feel like it’s relying too heavily on the popularity of that anime. That said, I did enjoy what I watched and the activities the girls did. After all, it’s not as laid-back as Yuru Camp, as the girls engaged in more exciting activities, especially since it involved taking videos and photos. Still, I kind of wish there were a little bit more about photography and making videos, although you have to go to places or do activities to capture good photos and videos.
Overall, Mono is a fun show thanks to the characters. Haruno is a funny and perhaps the most laid-back mangaka. She has the girls do various activities so she has content for her manga. I also liked Kurokuma, the Gothic Lolita mangaka who creates horror manga. What I find funny is that her black cat gets into a fight with Taishou, a fat white cat that wanders off to various places on its own. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing more, but even if it gets another season, it will probably be a while.
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