REVIEW: ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ Knows Flirting is Fun

The anime adaptation of the manga series Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You by writer and illustrator Jinushi had one major hurdle to scale. And it’s not the age difference between the two protagonists, though, surely, some will use that alone to steer clear of this charming, human series. If anything, it’s viewers assumption that an age gap equates to “bad” that is the real issue.

Instead, it’s making this seemingly opposites-attract, burgeoning romance work despite all the reasons it shouldn’t. What might be seen as the series’ greatest weakness, in turn, becomes the anime’s greatest strength. Without the immense chemistry between Sasaki and Yamada, it’s a by-the-numbers, slice-of-life series. Fun, but forgettable. 

Produced by Asahi Production, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You follows the 45-year-old businessman Sasaki (Takuya Satō) and an employee of a local supermarket, Super S, the 24-year-old Yamada (Seena Hoshiki). Perpetually exhausted by the exploitative company he works for, which hardly gives him a day off and often has him staying late at the office, Sasaki’s only reprieve comes from brief interactions with Yamada when she checks out his groceries. 

Miraculously, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You overcomes the major plot contrivance.

In comparison to the lines under his eyes and his hunched stature, she is the picture of youth, happy and unperturbed by her day-to-day job. Or, at least, that’s the role she plays with expertise while at work. Because, one night, unbeknownst to him, Sasaki meets the real Yamada when they share a smoke (you’ll never guess where).

Due to her drastic shift in appearance- all leather jackets and piercings, her smile replaced with a stern gaze and flirtatious attitude he doesn’t realize that she’s Yamada. And, in an effort to prolong the lie and, at first, for the hell of it, Yamada pretends she’s another employee, introducing herself as Tayama. 

It’s one of those misunderstandings that could so easily distract from the overall charm of the series. And, full disclosure, it nearly does. It’s one thing for Sasaki to be such a gullible fool as not to realize it in their first few interactions, and another for him not to realize it for the entire length of Season 1. However, it is a feature, not a bug, and that means you either get on board or you don’t. Yes, it takes some suspension of disbelief, but the way Sasaki and Yamada’s relationship develops has enough heart and understated tension to make it worthwhile. 

The characters are layered and lovable, organically drawn together. 

Because there is real heat between the two, even if it’s mainly Yamada who seems to understand she’s drawn to him. They’re still wading in the waters of platonic companionship, easy smoke buddies who can blow off steam in one another’s company. Yamada doesn’t even realize that Sasaki is the one who, years earlier, inspired her to be better dedicated to her job. But the way they circle one another and give and take when one of them needs support is so effective in how it plays out. 

We buy their dynamic. Their personalities are opposing, but they offer similar, sturdy support when needed. And the flirting? Shockingly effective. I want them to kiss. It just goes to show you that while yes, there’s room for discussions about how age gap relationships are depicted on screen, especially when it’s often seen as an older man with a young woman, it’s all about how it’s written. 

Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You never once tries to wave away their ages or pretend they don’t matter. Instead, their age difference is an enormous, important part of the story. They’re at different stages at their lives and, because of this, are able to identity one another’s issues with vitally fresh perspectives.  

Sasaki and Yamada are kindred spirits, their 20-year age gap important to the story but not their dynamic.

We can root for them as friends, confidants, kindred spirits, and maybe more because, ironically, despite their relationship being rooted in a lie, they come together from a place of honesty. Two lone souls who, despite their seeming, surface level differences, also manage to find a likeminded individual at the center of their world weary and abrasive personas. They are more than who they appear to be. 

It also doesn’t hurt that their flirtatious moments, often engineered by Yamada, are so effective. Casual touches and the way they occupy the same space are filled with potential what-ifs. While the series doesn’t cross the platonic line, that suggestion of more gives the story a necessary thrum of energy. It’s not a stretch to say that it’s a rarity to see anime where adult couples are the focus – it’s just one of the many reasons why Journal with Witch was so engaging. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You beckons in the maturity that comes with being an adult while maintaining the thrill of connection. 

Beyond the main couple, the story lags at times. There are moments that feel like an exercise in patience as we watch for the two to come together again. While the supporting characters are fun enough, the series struggles in developing a strong ensemble, something all great romantic comedies need. 

Takuya Satō and Seena Hoshiki bring warmth and personality to Sasaki and Yamada. 

There are individual moments of beautiful scenery and backgrounds, such as the chilly morning when Yamada enjoys a 6 am smoke. But it’s the character designs themselves that lend the series its charm. Sasaki, in particular, is wonderfully realized; his design and physicality highlight the intricacies of his personality and his fatigue at any given moment.

Takuya Satō and Seena Hoshiki are similarly wonderful in their roles, with Hoshiki in particular weaponizing a dynamic, playful cadence that shifts effortlessly between Yamada and “Tayama”. The two characters are so magnetic on their own that it’s easy to overlook some of the stagnant plotting and convenient plot contrivances. So much so that the anime series is an easy launch pad to go and read ahead. 

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You charges with electrical currents when Yamada and Sasaki dance around one another, playful and vulnerable. While the series lacks in artistic identity, it makes up for it with such fully drawn characters who are wonderfully flawed and human. Even when the easy gags and silliness try to get in the way, they do nothing to detract from the wider appeal that will have anyone who watches returning for more. 

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is available now on Crunchyroll.