Mainstream media has long since explored the idea of human connection through a multitude of ways usually through that of direct contact. Yet, what A Story About Smoking at the Back of the Supermarket suggests is that enduring relationships can be forged through the simple sharing of space.

The titular supermarket is a prominent setting within the story as it is not only where our characters meet to smoke as the title suggests, but also as a point of contact between people from all walks of life. While this might suggest I'm framing this from a classist perspective, I'm moreso emphasizing that a large part of what makes this series unique is how it explores its age gap not as a way to alienate but to draw empathy from experience.

Sasaki, our main perspective within the story, is an exhausted yet hardworking salaryman that frequents this supermarket as his only joy likened to a "cooling compress" is seeing a smile from Yamada, a friendly cashier, the bright light at the end of the tunnel for his weary lifestyle as he then takes pleasure from smoking near the back of the supermarket. It is there we're introduced to the far more blunt, Tayama who invites Sasaki to smoke in the back with her.

Tayama dresses differently from the polite Yamada and contrasts her in a way that makes Sasaki approach her differently as he would with the former, and speaks much more freely as a result. Unbeknownst to Sasaki, Tayama is an alias Yamada has used to suss out Sasaki's intentions which she finds uncharacteristically pure compared to her past experiences with customers who had taken a liking to her. It is also through her ongoing interactions with Sasaki that she finds herself feeling guilty about her initial deception.

It's because of Sasaki's willingness to listen that Yamada is able to fully express herself freely without the scrutiny of the politeness associated with her image. There are more than two sides to a person and the way these two characters find ways to comfort each other through their shared solace makes for an emotionally cathartic experience with the way these two characters open up to one another.

Part of why this series works so much for me is largely because of how well the slice of life aspects feed into the character drama. While some might find the development of the relationship between the two rather slow burn, I feel much like in real life, things take time to develop and it becomes apparent over the course of multiple chapters, both Yamada and Sasaki have affected each other in more ways than one. As a result of this relaxed pace, there's a multitude of scenarios that can be explored which makes a lot of these vignettes feel like they're part of a much larger picture of these character's lives.

At its core, A Story About Smoking at the Back of the Supermarket, is about our eponymous pair, overworked salaryman Sasaki and supermarket clerk Yamada sharing a brief moment of respite in between the turbulence and tedium of their daily lives. Yet what makes this particular series so endearing is largely its emphasis on the quieter moments paired with its charming humor. Jinushi deftly balances lightheartedness and moments of introspection with each chapter often being largely heartwarming in moving the story forward while stressing the importance of the main pair's connection to one another.

At a personal level as a former smoker, part of what makes this series so special to me is its depiction of smoking as a form of communion. A way for two strangers to create intimacy through shared relief. As it's been explored multiple times in media, addiction isn't something easily overcome but this manga helped me in a way to stave off that desire. So for me, it felt like this came out at the perfect time in my life to really latch onto.

But I digress, as far as adult romance series go, this is my favorite because of the way it remains so effortlessly pleasing with each chapter even at a minimal level. Little by little, my investment in these characters and their lives has deepened as each shared conversation between the two has wormed its way into my heart. This is a story essentially about creating a dialogue with one another, that through shared intimacy even the most unlikeliest of strangers, a beautiful relationship can be born, a prospect so life-affirming I can't help but love it for its honesty behind that sentiment.

To anyone reading this as a way to figure out whether this is worth your time, I highly suggest at least checking out the first couple of chapters considering they're not long to begin with and I cannot suggest this series enough on my score alone. To anyone who's already reading this series, I hope you feel the same way I do! It's a series that I find deserving of the hype and
praise it's gotten and perhaps even more. : )