by The TV anime Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You continues to win praise for its understated storytelling and emotionally rich atmosphere. While the series has captivated viewers with its heartfelt conversations and relatable characters, the creative team says one of its greatest strengths lies in something audiences may not consciously notice: its sound design and music.
Following the anime’s broadcast, sound director Kohei Yoshida and composers Shin Kono and Sayaka Aoki shared behind-the-scenes insights into how they crafted the series’ distinctive audio landscape. Their goal was not simply to add music or sound effects, but to express the “temperature” and emotional intimacy of the story through every conversation, pause, and musical note.
A Hit Manga Finally Receives Its Anime Adaptation
Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You is based on the manga by Jinushi, which first began serialization on the author’s Twitter (now X) account on March 9, 2022.
The series quickly gained widespread attention thanks to its realistic dialogue, mature romance, and gentle slice-of-life storytelling.
Its popularity led to a commercial manga release, with the collected volumes surpassing 3 million copies in circulation, making it one of the standout romance manga of recent years.
The long-awaited anime adaptation premiered in July 2026, introducing the story to an even broader audience.
A Story Built on Quiet Conversations
Unlike action-heavy anime, Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You focuses on the subtle connections that develop between ordinary people.
The story follows Sasaki, an overworked middle-aged office employee exhausted by the pressures of modern life.
After work, he often visits the smoking area behind a neighborhood supermarket, where he gradually forms an unusual friendship with Tayama, a mysterious young woman with a playful personality.
Through casual conversations and quiet moments shared in the smoking area, the two slowly develop a relationship that is difficult to define but deeply meaningful.
Rather than relying on dramatic plot twists, the series explores loneliness, healing, companionship, and the comfort of everyday interactions.
Sound Director Wanted to Capture the “Invisible Temperature” of the Story
According to sound director Kohei Yoshida, one of the biggest creative challenges was expressing emotions that are never directly spoken.
Yoshida explained that the anime revolves around two contrasting emotional spaces:
- The invisible exhaustion experienced by people working in modern society.
- The quiet sense of relief found during peaceful conversations after work.
His objective was to transform those subtle feelings into sound.
Instead of emphasizing dramatic performances, the voice direction focused on:
- Natural breathing.
- Small pauses between words.
- Comfortable conversational pacing.
- Emotional distance between characters.
- The warmth conveyed through silence.
These details help create the intimate atmosphere that defines the series.
Music Designed Like Cigarette Smoke Drifting Through the Night
The anime’s background music was composed by Shin Kono and Sayaka Aoki, both of whom have extensive experience working on television dramas and anime.
Kono explained that his primary goal was to recreate the feeling of spending a quiet evening in the smoking area behind a supermarket after a long day of work.
He compared the music to cigarette smoke slowly drifting through the night air—subtle, calm, and constantly changing.
Rather than using heavily electronic sounds, the composers favored live instruments to create a warmer and more natural atmosphere.
This approach helps reinforce the emotional realism of the story while avoiding overly dramatic musical cues.
Music Reflects the Characters’ Relationship
For Kono, the soundtrack was never intended to dominate a scene.
Instead, the music quietly supports the growing connection between Sasaki and Tayama.
Many pieces were composed to emphasize:
- Emotional distance.
- Unspoken affection.
- Everyday conversations.
- Quiet nighttime scenery.
- Moments of reflection after work.
By remaining understated, the soundtrack allows viewers to focus on the characters while still enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.
Sayaka Aoki Focused on the Series’ Lighter Moments
Composer Sayaka Aoki approached the soundtrack from a different perspective.
She was responsible for many of the series’ more playful musical pieces, particularly those accompanying Sasaki and Tayama’s humorous exchanges.
Aoki explained that she wanted the music to highlight:
- Sasaki’s awkward but sincere personality.
- Tayama’s teasing sense of humor.
- Small comedic moments.
- The growing warmth between the protagonists.
Her compositions gently exaggerate the characters’ playful interactions without disrupting the realistic tone of the series.
The result is a soundtrack that balances emotional depth with lighthearted charm.
Voice Performances Bring the Characters to Life
The anime stars an accomplished cast led by:
- Takuya Sato as Sasaki
- Seina Hoshiki as Yamada / Tayama
According to Yoshida, both actors delivered performances that exceeded expectations.
He praised Takuya Sato for portraying Sasaki as an ordinary man whose kindness and vulnerability feel completely genuine.
Rather than presenting Sasaki as a stereotypical “cool older man,” Sato’s performance emphasizes his awkwardness, fatigue, and quiet warmth.
Yoshida believes these subtle qualities make Sasaki much easier for viewers to relate to.
Seina Hoshiki’s Dual Performance Earns High Praise
One of the anime’s most challenging roles belongs to Seina Hoshiki, who voices both Yamada and Tayama.
Although the characters share a close connection, each possesses a distinct personality and emotional tone.
Yoshida revealed that Hoshiki carefully differentiated:
- Tayama
- Yamada
- Tayama acting as Yamada
- Yamada behaving like Tayama
Maintaining these subtle distinctions throughout recording required exceptional vocal control.
The sound director praised Hoshiki for going beyond traditional voice acting, saying she fully embodied each version of the character.
Recording Sessions Focused on Natural Performances
Yoshida also shared details about the recording process.
Instead of recording dialogue in isolation whenever possible, the production team encouraged actors to perform together so they could naturally react to one another’s delivery.
This collaborative approach allowed conversations to feel spontaneous and emotionally authentic.
According to Yoshida, the relaxed recording atmosphere helped preserve the realistic chemistry between the characters, something that audiences can feel while watching the series.
A Talented Creative Team
The anime is produced by an experienced staff dedicated to faithfully adapting Jinushi’s acclaimed manga.
Main Staff
- Original Work: Jinushi
- Director: Rihito Suzuki & Aoi Mori
- Series Composition: Mio Inoue
- Character Design: Naka Otaki
- Sound Director: Kohei Yoshida
- Music: Shin Kono & Sayaka Aoki
- Animation Studio: Asahi Production
The production also features theme songs by popular artists:
- Opening: Ichijiku Kemuri by ZUTOMAYO (Zutto Mayonaka de Ii no ni.)
- Ending: Fiction by imase
These songs complement the anime’s reflective tone while reinforcing its mature atmosphere.
Why the Sound Design Stands Out
Many anime rely on dramatic music and energetic sound effects to heighten emotional scenes.
Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You takes the opposite approach.
Its sound design emphasizes:
- Silence.
- Natural dialogue.
- Ambient environmental sounds.
- Gentle instrumental music.
- Emotional realism.
This restrained approach allows viewers to become immersed in the characters’ quiet world, making even ordinary conversations feel meaningful.
A Slice-of-Life Romance Defined by Atmosphere
As Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You continues its broadcast, it has become clear that the anime’s emotional impact comes not only from its writing and performances but also from its carefully crafted soundscape.
Through thoughtful voice direction, delicate music, and meticulous attention to the smallest details, the creative team has successfully translated the manga’s quiet emotional warmth into animation.
For viewers looking for a mature slice-of-life romance built on subtle emotions rather than dramatic spectacle, Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You offers a uniquely immersive experience—one where every pause, every conversation, and every note of music quietly tells its own story.
