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An overworked salaryman and a mischievous cashier with a dual personality form an unexpected bond in this sweet-and-sour comedy!

After smoking away from the supermarket together for the first time, Yamada and Sasaki begin to realize their fleeting feelings for each other are taking shape. Sasaki is too hesitant to move forward, and Yamada—shackled by the past—resolves to take the secret of "Tayama" to her grave! Sasaki hears of Tayama's relationship with a coworker who's been transferred back to the store. Will jealousy finally spur him to action?

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2024

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Jinushi

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5 stars
439 (52%)
4 stars
298 (35%)
3 stars
94 (11%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for DianaRose.
1,064 reviews334 followers
August 25, 2025
there’s only two volumes left — say it ain’t so 😭💔
Profile Image for Rod Brown.
7,643 reviews294 followers
August 27, 2025
The status quo here is an exquisite torture, with little hints here or there that something is about to change . . . sometime.

We spend a lot of time with the supermarket staff this time around.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Smoke 34 -- Smoke 34, Interlude -- Smoke 35 -- Smoke 35, Interlude -- Smoke 36 -- Smoke 36, Interlude -- Bonus Smoke: The Long Road to Friendship -- Smoke 37 -- Smoke 38 -- Afterword -- Back-Page Cosplay #5 -- This Is the Supermarket Manager's Dream -- Sneak Peek at Volume 6
Profile Image for Mark.
2,965 reviews295 followers
August 17, 2025
A great little idea bumps up against the demands on ongoing serialization and that means this volume sinks under the weight of keeping its premise, already stuck on some pretty thin ice, rolling forward.

Which is the ‘many words make good review’ style of saying that it’s boring. This is a rather dull entry in a series that has been anything but. Regrettably, its insistence in going nowhere, to the extent that they hang a hat right on that idea, weakens it severely.

It doesn’t help that we get a new character out of nowhere, Kami, who is totally into Yamada, but is otherwise utterly dull. Despite this, she features in many, many scenes throughout the volume.

The ongoing bonding between Sasaki and Yamada just putters around the obvious and goes in some weirdly hard to parse directions. I still have no idea who was saying what to whom during the latter part of the storm sequence.

The attention to the small things, like Yamada’s change to her cigarettes and such, are welcome. But to what end? Sasaki should have figured this out ages ago and the pretence is not strong enough to stand this much scrutiny.

It sucks because I want to enjoy this as much as before, but it stays brutally wedged into its lane to the point of diminishing returns. It needs to grow and change, but it chooses to stagnate.

3 stars - overly nice score for a review that’s closer to my feelings. There’s nothing especially different from the previous volumes, but that’s kind of the issue in this case.
Profile Image for Sandra.
862 reviews12 followers
June 4, 2025
Leider, leider, nicht so gut wie die anderen Bände :/ und das alles nur wegen nem neuen Charakter, der aufgetaucht ist. Ich kann Kawa leider überhaupt gar nicht leiden, typische GenZ-Char, der alles falsch versteht, sich überall reinsteigert und meint sich überall einzumischen, mit ner krankhaft nervigen Overhyping von Yamada. Das hat mir ziemlich den Spaß am Buch verdorben.
Sasaki und Yama sind weiterhin super süß und ich mag die beiden total gerne, aber ja leider dann deswegen nur 3 Sterne.
Profile Image for Danielle.
442 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2025
This was by far my least favorite volume. It has a couple of good scenes but mostly felt like filler. Some of the dialogue towards the end got confusing on who was saying what. Hoping the next volume is better.
Profile Image for Sophia Toperim.
2 reviews
July 14, 2025
I really enjoy slice-of-life mangas. They allow me to immerse myself in a world that isn’t too heavy or intense — perfect when I just need a break from my own reality.

It’s heartwarming to see how Yama and Sasaki are gradually growing closer, regardless of whether Sasaki is interacting with Yama or Tama.

I’m also really glad the manga didn’t end after just three volumes — it still feels fresh and engaging.

I like that Obata is getting more attention now, especially in terms of how he feels about Goto. I’d love to learn more about them, too, since they play a significant role in the story as well.
Profile Image for Arda Uğur Demir.
74 reviews
April 13, 2026
I enjoy reading this manga series more than Chainsaw Man, yes i said it. Even if not these two series aren't in the same genre (one is superhero, other one is romantic comedy) i am comparing them only because those are the two series i recently read

The writing, dialogues, fucking drawing is excellent. I felt like drawing is better at this volume more than the 1st volume. I know it's weird but i am mesmerized about everything about this volume

Also i just suggested them to my bestfriends and imma make sure that they gon buy this manga series🙏🏻
Profile Image for Mersi .
459 reviews5 followers
October 9, 2025
SO...FREAKING....CLOSE!
DANG IT!!!!
Profile Image for Elizabeth *:・゚✧*:・゚.
169 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2026
Oh he’s down BAAAADDD 😍😍😍

Also I don’t CAAAAARE about these stupid idiot annoying side characters that keep getting introduced like SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF THE WAY!! 😩😩
Profile Image for ☆ Mya ☆.
165 reviews2 followers
September 14, 2025
i can’t believe this is almost over…i’m having such a good time, i don’t want it to end :(
Profile Image for Zibbi.
370 reviews19 followers
January 10, 2026
“Does everybody get this dumb and cute with age?” Kyaaaah... But also, eh?

I’m honestly not sure how much longer I can suspend my disbelief about Sasaki still being completely oblivious to the Yamada–Tayama situation. At this point, it feels less like dense and more like deliberate narrative stalling. Or maybe he does know, and the story’s playing coy?

There are some tender, charming moments tucked in here, but they’re fighting for space with a few too many “wait, what?” moments. The new character’s obsession with Yamada felt way too abrupt for a series that usually trades in subtlety and slow burn.

Also... Those thought and dialogue bubbles are absolute chaos. I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel emotionally moved or just mildly disoriented. Half the time, I wasn't even sure who was talking, which, given the manga’s emotional beats, is a bit of a problem.

Still, I’m invested enough to keep going, mainly because Sasaki is adorable. But I’m hoping the next volume smooths out the clutter and brings back the quieter magic that made the earlier chapters shine.
Profile Image for Natalie.
1,225 reviews21 followers
April 8, 2026
These two are gonna be the death of me 🧎🏻‍♀️

Yamada spends a good amount of time in this volume being angsty, and she really didn’t have to be. If she would just tell Sasaki she’s interested in him, and they got on the same page, she’d understand she’s agonizing over shit she doesn’t have to. It was nice though to see Sasaki try so hard to reassure her even though he didn’t fully know why she was upset. He’s such a sweetheart 💖

In this volume we also get introduced to a new character, and she’s absolutely deranged. Her name is Kami, and she’s obsessed with Yamada in a way that’s unhinged…but also makes me want to say BACK OFF. I’m all for the sapphic vibes, but I’m committed to my Sasaki and Yamada life. Leave my straights be! We’ll see how things continue to develop with Kami in the next volumes…

P.S. Oba is a cutie patootie 💖 He’s soooo awkward. It’s delightful 😌✨
Profile Image for Hisgirl85.
2,528 reviews55 followers
August 26, 2025
3/3.5 stars. This volumes deterred quite a lot from the main storyline and felt like it was building-up side characters??? I didn't care enough about them to begin with, so it was boring. The small bits with the mains seemed like it was teasing development, but with the majority of the volume not being the two mains and their interaction, it felt a bit mean and side-eye inducing (like, sure, you gave this us this one piece of steak in a steak salad. Oh, wait, there is a second piece, and they're both seasoned correctly but it's basic steak. Which is good, but without the next volume, I can't see how well these were cooked).
Profile Image for Heather D-G.
872 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2025
Wait…does this mean?!?
Aieeeee! I wish I had the next volume available!

Ahem. Anyway. This was a lovely volume which subtly ended up diving deeper than ever into the growing smoke surrounding our main characters.
Surely what we’re all hoping for is finally close at hand. The manager’s dreams can only sustain us for so long.

Good stuff.
Profile Image for Sarah AK.
597 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2026
Still cute, but disappointing after the high of the last one. This is really not surprising to me and is how things go IRL too... you think you're finally getting somewhere, then NOPE, JUST KIDDING. That said, I'm still invested. Here's hoping the next one gets us back on track...
Profile Image for Casually Bookish Emma.
585 reviews25 followers
August 9, 2025
I adored this arc of the story as much as the rest of the series ❤️ somehow every interaction between our main characters feels new and leaves me yearning for more. Until next time.
Profile Image for Linda.
191 reviews1 follower
Read
August 13, 2025
Just as good as the previous volumes. This slow relationship building is just *chef's kiss..

As of the time of this review, next volume is going to be in Jan 2026... that is not coming soon!!!!
Profile Image for Snail.
821 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2026
Charming and heartwarming as always. ❤️ I love Yamaha and Sasaki, and the author’s gentle and kind plot lines!
Profile Image for Hanne Mancil.
398 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2026
I’m starting to think that this might be better as an anime. I like the message of this volume.
Profile Image for Pandaaaaaa.
253 reviews
April 22, 2025
we are making progress people, sasaki isn't all that clueless 😭
Profile Image for Frédéric.
2,147 reviews88 followers
May 17, 2025
As expected, the pace slows down, with the first part focusing on a new, unsympathetic character who serves no purpose other than to slow down the story. Alas, a classic rom-com trope.
The second part is a bit better, without getting carried away either.
Profile Image for Zian B..
2,353 reviews33 followers
March 15, 2026
More of a 3.5 star rating;
The introduction of a new (to the reader) female coworker of Yamada/Tayama’s was a pleasant surprise. I like her friendly dynamic with Yamada and her one-sided jealous attitude towards Sasaki. I also really liked that this volume showed a bit more of Oba since, out of all the more side/minor characters, he’s become my favorite. It was adorable seeing how he and Yamada became friends, and his dynamic with Sasaki is also very cute since they relate to each other a great deal.
Overall, with the way Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama’s dynamic played out in this volume, I’m very curious to see what happens in the next volume since it was hinted at that Yamada realizes some important things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bee C.
250 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2025
😩😩😩😩 I love this series. The front pages in color just make me excited for the anime coming out next year. I feel that Yamada is learning little by little her feelings for the oblivious Sasaki. She’s showing a bit more vulnerability near him and he always has some words of comfort or encouragement when she’s in a slump. The face touching is what got me right in the heart. So simple as moving a hat or cigarette out of the way or helping shield a person’s ears from the sound of thunder because of their fear made everything feel more intimate. 😩😩😩😩 the blushing from Sasaki at the end probably would have ended me if I didn’t know that there were more volumes to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sofia.
118 reviews
July 31, 2025
In questo vediamo una nuovo personaggio Kawasaki che dopo 1 anno e tornata nel supermercato come caporeparto di pescheria.
Lei ha fatto conoscenza di sasaki e non lo vede di buon occhio perché pensa che sta costringendo Yamada a fumare con lui ma poi Yamada gli dice la verità.
Anche questo volume Sasaki e Tamaya parlano ma è inoltre si stanno avvicinando molto di più.
C'è anche uno piccolo spazio sulla storia di Aoba.
Posso dire che questo volume mi e molto piaciuto!
Non vedo l'ora di vedere come proseguirà la storia di Sasaki e Yamada.
Adesso vado a leggere il volume 6
Profile Image for Jack Syron.
169 reviews
August 24, 2025
Tired phrase while reviewing this series "Best volume yet" but this one was a case study on how excellent it was:
1) It gave the newer characters some time in the fray
2) It perfectly balances the comedy, romance, and drama
3) The comedy just catches you off guard in the best way
4) Dem cute moments
5) The manager and old coworker carry so much.

The back panel cosplay is immaculate, and Jinushi's message was much needed in my life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cassandra.
3,097 reviews29 followers
January 12, 2026
Continues to slow burn. I think I want a little more of Sasaki now, i think we have gotten a lot of Yamada with her work and a lot of her growth in this volume.

But awww I think our babies are really seeing how much they like like each other and it is just oh so very sweet.

Continues to be respectful in its art and thoughts about Yamada and Sasaki. But I do have a hard time believing he still doesn't know they are the same person...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews