Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You Episodes 1-3 Find a Quiet, Relatable Rhythm

The first three episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You center on forty-something salaryman Sasaki, who is worn down by a demanding job and toxic office culture. His small pleasures include smoking and the kindness of Yamada, a twenty-something cashier at his local supermarket. Sasaki only knows her customer-service persona, so when he meets a cooler, more sardonic woman named Tayama behind the supermarket, he does not realize she is the same person. The review calls this central gag fun and says it never wears out its welcome. The series also earns points for its sweet, supportive conversations between characters with a significant age gap, with both giving each other workplace advice. Asahi Production's animation reuses establishing shots and cycles often enough to be distracting, but the voice acting in both the sub and dub is strong, with Takuya Satō and Giles Panton both bringing a tired, soft energy to Sasaki.