A beloved workplace romance with a twist is making its way to the screen. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, the manga by Jinushi, has officially been greenlit for a TV anime adaptation. The anime is slated for a nationwide broadcast in Japan via TBS in 2026. The announcement came with a special commemorative illustration drawn by Jinushi, which highlights the two central characters, Sasaki and the mysterious Yamada, also known by her alter ego Tayama.
While the anime adaptation has just been confirmed, many details are still under wraps. The animation studio, cast, and production staff are yet to be revealed. Despite this, the announcement has already generated significant buzz online, especially among manga fans who have followed the series since its humble beginnings as a webcomic on Twitter.
The manga originally debuted on Twitter in March 2022, where it quickly captured the attention of readers with its quiet charm, emotional honesty, and a unique blend of humor and melancholy. Due to its rising popularity, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You was picked up by Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan magazine in August 2022. The series now has six published volumes, with the seventh volume scheduled to release on July 25, 2025.
For international fans, the manga is also being published in English by Square Enix Manga & Books. Four volumes are currently available, with the fifth one set to launch on August 12, 2025. The story revolves around a tired forty-five-year-old salaryman named Sasaki who finds brief moments of peace in his stressful corporate life through casual cigarette breaks. One of his daily highlights is seeing the warm smile of supermarket cashier Yamada. But when Yamada is suddenly nowhere to be found, Sasaki is approached by a cool, sharp-tongued woman named Tayama who offers to smoke with him. Unbeknownst to Sasaki, Tayama is none other than Yamada herself in disguise.
This double life setup brings both sweetness and tension into their evolving relationship. The manga has been praised for its heartfelt take on adult loneliness, identity, and quiet companionship. Unlike many romantic comedies that focus on young protagonists, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You offers a refreshing take on middle-aged relationships and the emotional complexities they bring.
The upcoming anime adaptation promises to bring this story’s warmth, humor, and introspection to life with visual flair. Fans are eagerly waiting for casting announcements and teaser trailers, hoping the adaptation retains the same grounded emotional tone that made the manga resonate so deeply.
With 2026 shaping up to be a strong year for romance and slice-of-life anime, this title stands out for its mature themes and emotionally nuanced storytelling. As the production gears up, the growing fanbase is already preparing to revisit the quiet corner of the supermarket where an unexpected bond was formed.
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