The first episode of the summer anime Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (スーパーの裏でヤニ吸うふたり) aired on July 9, 2026, at 11:56 PM on TBS’s 28-station network, starting 45 minutes late due to a volleyball broadcast. Despite the delay, fans eagerly tuned in, with many commenting, “We’ve been waiting for this!”
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is based on the manga by Jinushi, which first appeared on X (formerly Twitter) on March 9, 2022. The first chapter garnered over 280,000 likes, and the series now runs in Square Enix’s Monthly Big Gangan. The story follows 45-year-old worn-out salaryman Sasaki and 24-year-old supermarket employee Tayama, who bond over cigarettes behind the store. The anime adaptation is directed by Suzuki Rihito and Mori Aoi, with animation production by Asahi Production. Sasaki is voiced by Sato Takuya, while Yamada/Tayama is voiced by Hoshiki Seena.
Note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 1.
Opening and First Impressions
The episode opens with Sasaki and his colleague Suzuki smoking. The TV broadcast version of the opening theme, “Ichijiku Kemuri” by Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni., drew high praise: “The OP is great!” “The song and visuals are amazing!” “Zutomayo’s song is wonderful!” Viewers who had already seen the ABEMA pre-release also noted differences, saying, “The OP changed?” “It’s different and awesome!” “Feels so fresh!”
Sasaki’s Crush and a Suspicious Encounter
Sasaki’s daily solace is the female cashier at register 2, Yamada, who always smiles kindly at him. Social media users called her “cute” and said, “I’d go to that supermarket every day with that smile.” However, some viewers found Sasaki’s habit of checking her name on the receipt “a little creepy.”
His peaceful routine is soon interrupted when his boss scolds him at work. The unreasonable supervisor and a meeting that runs until midnight (teppen) drew sympathy: “That company is way too Showa-era,” “Midnight overtime is insane,” “Meetings that decide nothing are so pointless.”
Seeking comfort, Sasaki visits the supermarket only to find Yamada absent. Dejected, he decides to smoke, but as he wanders looking for a smoking area, a woman calls out from behind the store. The woman, Tayama, wears a pierced earring and a leather jacket, and her appearance immediately excited fans: “Tayama-san is here!!!” “She’s so cute!” “She’s beautiful!” Viewers soon realized that Tayama and Yamada are the same person, voiced by Hoshiki Seena, who skillfully switches between a pure, gentle tone and a laid-back, cool one. Comments praised her acting: “Voice actors are amazing,” “The vocal difference is perfect,” “The way she plays both roles is incredible.”
Tayama pretends to be Yamada’s coworker and probes Sasaki about why he visits register 2 every day. Sasaki blushes and exclaims, “I get energy from seeing her work – that’s the only place where I feel happy!” Tayama is relieved, and viewers warmed to Sasaki: “I love that he’s aware he might seem creepy,” “He’s a good otaku,” “A harmless, refined old man,” “Sasaki is cute.”
The next day, when Sasaki goes to Yamada’s register, she drops a bombshell: “Tayama-chan told me you’re my fan.” A band-aid on Yamada’s ear hides a piercing hole, and she occasionally speaks in Tayama’s voice, but Sasaki remains oblivious. Viewers laughed: “How can he not notice?” “I heard old guys can’t tell young people apart…”
Even when Yamada is absent, the older cashier Oono (voiced by Toyoguchi Megumi) also became a fan favorite, with comments like “Oono-san is healing too” and “She’s cute.”
As Sasaki is about to leave, Tayama calls him from behind the supermarket again. She teases him about his crush being discovered, and he gives her a bag of “delicious rice crackers” as thanks for letting him smoke. The crackers became a hot topic: “They look tasty,” “Now I want rice crackers,” “I hope they actually sell them,” “It would be funny if rice crackers sell out tomorrow.”
The next day, Yamada comments on the crackers, saying she tried them and they were delicious – another hint that she and Tayama are the same person. But Sasaki only thinks, “Yamada-san and Tayama-san must be really close friends!” Viewers erupted: “Why does he think that?!” “How can he not get it after all that?!” “He’s so dense!” The episode ends on that comedic note.
Post-Episode Reactions and Staff Comments
After the broadcast, Sato Takuya (Sasaki) and Hoshiki Seena (Yamada/Tayama) posted their thoughts on X, along with the band Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. and imase staff. The TV broadcast ending theme, imase’s “Fiction,” was also praised for its stylish visuals and perfect mood.
Fans described the episode as “heartwarming” and “healing for tired hearts.” The second episode, titled “Adding Two Behind the Supermarket,” is scheduled to air on July 16, 2026.
Broadcast and Streaming Info
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You airs every Thursday at 11:56 PM on TBS’s 28 stations nationwide. It is also available for streaming on ABEMA and Netflix, with ABEMA offering a free pre-release version.
Cast
- Sasaki: Sato Takuya
- Yamada / Tayama: Hoshiki Seena
- Gotou: Yukinari Toa
- Oono: Toyoguchi Megumi
- Obata: Yasuda Rikuya
- Maezawa: Hikasa Youko
- Suzuki: Takahashi Shinya
Staff
- Director: Suzuki Rihito, Mori Aoi
- Series Composition: Inoue Mio
- Character Design: Ootaki Naka
- Prop Design: Shintani Mahiru
- Art Director: Sotani Masaru
- Color Design: Uemura Shuuji
- Director of Photography: Kujirai Ryo
- CG Director: Fujitani Hidenori
- Editor: Ishii Ami
- Sound Director: Yoshida Kouhei
- Music: Kouno Shin, Aoki Sayaka
- Music Producer: Kuse Retsu
- Music Production: Nippon Onkyo
- Animation Producer: Watabe Masayuu
- Animation Production: Asahi Production
Theme Songs
- TV Broadcast OP: Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. – “Ichijiku Kemuri”
- TV Broadcast ED: imase – “Fiction”
- ABEMA Pre-release OP: Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. – “Kuzuri Nen”
- ABEMA Pre-release ED: imase – “NIGHT DANCER”
(C) Jinushi / SQUARE ENIX・“Yanisuu” Production Committee
