Unveiling the Historical Context and Genre Placement of ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’

Introduction

In the vast landscape of manga, few series have captured the hearts of readers as effectively as Jinushi’s ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’. This romantic comedy, slice-of-life manga has not only won the 2022 Next Manga Award in the web category but has also garnered significant attention for its unique storytelling and character dynamics. In this analysis, we delve into the historical context and genre placement of this captivating series, exploring what makes it stand out in the manga world.

Historical Context

‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ began its journey as a webcomic published on Twitter in March 2022. The series quickly gained popularity, with the first chapter receiving over 190,000 likes and the total number of likes surpassing 2.5 million by June 2022. This overwhelming response led to its serialization in Square Enix’s ‘Monthly Big Gangan’ magazine in August 2022, further cementing its place in the manga community.

Genre Placement

At its core, ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ is a romantic comedy with strong slice-of-life elements. The series follows the unlikely friendship between Sasaki, a stressed and overworked salaryman, and Tayama (also known as Yamada), a supermarket cashier with a dual personality. Their interactions, primarily centered around smoking behind the supermarket, offer a unique blend of humor and emotional depth.

Romantic Comedy

The romantic comedy genre is well-represented in ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’. The series hinges on the humorous rapport between Sasaki and Tayama, with their interactions often leading to comedic misunderstandings and unexpected moments of intimacy. Tayama’s playful and mischievous nature, particularly in her interactions with Sasaki, adds a layer of humor that keeps readers engaged.

Slice of Life

The slice-of-life genre is equally prominent, as the series focuses on the everyday lives of its characters. Sasaki’s struggles as a salaryman and Tayama’s dual life as a cashier and a biker-chic woman are explored in a way that feels both relatable and authentic. The series’ episodic nature allows for a deep exploration of these characters’ lives, making their interactions feel more genuine and engaging.

Character Dynamics

The characters in ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ are central to its appeal. Sasaki and Tayama’s relationship is built on their shared moments of smoking behind the supermarket, which serve as a refuge from their daily stresses. Tayama’s dual personality, switching between her demure cashier persona and her more outgoing, biker-chic alter ego, adds a layer of complexity to her character that is both intriguing and entertaining.

For more information on the characters, visit our characters page.

Conclusion

‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ is a manga series that has carved out its own niche in the romantic comedy and slice-of-life genres. Its unique blend of humor, emotional depth, and everyday life makes it a compelling read for fans of both genres. With its origins as a webcomic and its subsequent serialization in ‘Monthly Big Gangan’, this series has proven its ability to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

To explore the series further, check out our collection of chapters, including detailed analyses and summaries of each chapter.

In the world of manga, ‘Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You’ stands out as a testament to the power of storytelling and character development. Its historical context and genre placement make it a must-read for anyone interested in romantic comedies and slice-of-life stories.