The popular webcomic and manga series, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (known in Japan as Super no Ura de Yani Sū Futari), is officially receiving a television anime adaptation, set to premiere in 2026. The announcement was made on July 18, 2025, confirming the highly anticipated transition of Jinushi’s beloved romantic comedy slice-of-life story to the screen. The anime is slated to air on TBS and its affiliates.
The series creator, Jinushi, released a commemorative illustration to celebrate the news.
From Webcomic to Critically Acclaimed Manga
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You originated as a webcomic on Twitter (now X) in March 2022, quickly gaining viral attention. Its first chapter alone garnered over 190,000 likes, eventually surpassing 2.5 million likes for the entire series as of June 2022. Due to its immense popularity, the series was picked up by Square Enix and began serialization in their Monthly Big Gangan magazine in August 2022. As of January 2025, six collected tankōbon volumes have been published, with a seventh volume scheduled for July 25, 2025. The manga has also been licensed for English release by Square Enix Manga & Books, with the fourth volume shipping in March 2024 and the fifth slated for August 12, 2025.
The series has received significant critical acclaim and recognition, winning the 2022 Next Manga Award in the web category. It also ranked seventh in Takarajimasha’s 2023 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list for male readers and eighth in the 16th Manga Taishō awards in 2023. Furthermore, it was ranked first in the Nationwide Publishers’ Recommended Comics of 2023. The total circulation of the manga has exceeded 2.5 million copies.
The Heart of the Story: An Unlikely Connection
The manga, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, is a sweet-and-sour romantic comedy centered around the unexpected bond formed between two individuals during their smoke breaks. The plot follows Sasaki, a 45-year-old overworked salaryman who finds his daily solace in the friendly smile of a supermarket cashier named Yamada.
After a particularly trying day, Sasaki visits the supermarket but misses Yamada’s shift. Dejected, he seeks a smoking area and is invited by a mysterious woman named Tayama to join her in a “secret smoking area” behind the store. Unbeknownst to Sasaki, the cool and teasing Tayama is, in fact, the same cheerful cashier Yamada, who exhibits a dual personality outside of her customer service role. The series then explores their developing friendship and burgeoning feelings through their regular, shared smoke breaks, often highlighting Sasaki’s oblivious nature to Tayama’s true identity and the comedic misunderstandings that arise.
Anime Adaptation Details
While the TV anime adaptation is confirmed for 2026, specific details regarding the animation staff and voice cast have not yet been revealed. An official website and X (formerly Twitter) account for the anime have been launched following the announcement. Fans eagerly anticipate further information as the production of this highly anticipated adaptation gets underway.
