Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
The sole thing that gets the middle-aged Sasaki through his soul-sucking job is a cheerful smile from Yamada—the young woman who works at a nearby 24-hour supermarket he frequents. After every tiring day of getting berated by his boss, Sasaki stops by the store to have his spirit healed by his favorite cashier. After a particularly grueling day, Sasaki shows up at the supermarket, only to find that Yamada's shift has already ended. Disappointed, he searches for a place to smoke when a woman from behind the store calls him over to join her. The bold and dangerously playful Tayama is quick to call out Sasaki's peculiar habit of always seeking out her coworker—even going as far as telling Yamada about Sasaki's vested interest in her. Now, in addition to seeing his adored cashier Yamada, Sasaki also visits the store to see if his new smoking partner Tayama is around. But there is more to Tayama's mischievousness than she initially lets on. With every cigarette, an unlikely friendship begins to blossom.
Audience Consensus
Audience opinion is split between those who find the show a heartwarming and unique portrayal of adult connection and those who are frustrated by the glacial pacing and the male lead's extreme lack of awareness. While many praise the chemistry and atmosphere, a significant portion of viewers find the lack of plot progression and the protagonist's density to be major drawbacks, leading to a divided reception on its overall narrative quality.
Strengths
- Charming and heartwarming portrayal of adult relationships and finding solace in small moments.
- Relatable depiction of mundane adult life and the search for a 'spark' to keep going.
- Excellent chemistry between the main leads, making their interactions compelling.
- Beautiful animation and production values, creating a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
- Engaging soundtrack that complements the slice-of-life atmosphere.
- Refreshing take on romance outside the typical high school setting.
Weaknesses
- Male protagonist's extreme denseness and lack of social awareness, even for an adult, becomes tiresome and unrealistic.
- Story progression is extremely slow, with some viewers feeling like 'nothing happens' over multiple episodes.
- Lack of significant plot development or major romantic progression leaves some feeling unsatisfied.
- The premise of the age gap and the dynamic between the leads can be perceived as odd or a wish-fulfillment fantasy.
- Some critics found the characters unoriginal and the premise to be a wasted opportunity.
- The show's portrayal of smoking as a bonding activity is seen by some as problematic, even if acknowledged as unhealthy.