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Le incomprensioni tra Sasaki e Tayama nate dal passato vengono chiarite grazie alle parole di sostegno reciproco pronunciate dai due nel presente. Nel momento in cui tornano alla loro solita routine, però, le circostanze e i sentimenti che provano l'uno per l'altra cambiano, portandoli a una nuova consapevolezza.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2025

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Jinushi

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5 stars
428 (52%)
4 stars
301 (37%)
3 stars
74 (9%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for DianaRose.
1,202 reviews451 followers
January 31, 2026
i love this series but lord, they need to stop dragging their feet about either 1) the reveal of yamada/tayama or 2) the relationship between tayama and mr sasaki…. there is only so much smoking behind the supermarket i can take before someone makes a move
Profile Image for Zuli.
345 reviews93 followers
July 25, 2026
3.5✨
Ok I love the story and the bonds, don't mind me I do like the smoking too but it's way too much not that i worry haha
Profile Image for Rod Brown.
7,801 reviews304 followers
March 19, 2026
This long slow dance between our two smokers has been wearing on me for a while, and now it's wearing on them also. Even as they grow closer and support each other, their misunderstandings are increasingly . . . volatile.

Pass the popcorn!


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Smoke 39 -- Smoke 40 -- Smoke 41 -- Smoke 42 -- Bonus Smoke: Creeping Forward on Crab Legs -- Smoke 43 -- Smoke 44 -- Afterword -- Back-Page Cosplay #6 -- This Is the Supermarket Manager's Dream
Profile Image for Mark.
3,055 reviews303 followers
January 29, 2026
Whether intentional or not, this volume did something it desperately needed to do and pivoted away from the usual narrative beats in favour of something new. Or at least new-adjacent.

We don’t get a lot of Sasaki being utterly oblivious and instead see a lot more of him wrestling with his growing feelings for Yamada. In her gruffer, actual persona, of course.

Further, we get a lot more of Kawakami, the new employee who wants to be super tight with Yamada and is jealous of Sasaki’s relationship with her. This originally seemed like a negative, but sometimes I get to be surprised.

Now, I wouldn’t say that I love Kawakami’s character, but I sure do think her presence in the story is infinitely more justified than it was previously. Sometimes you get a flashback that really does the job and this one steps up so much that it should have come sooner.

It turns out that Kawakami was transferred after some unpleasantness at her previous store, which further turns out to be due to her being incredibly smart and capable of far more than her position might indicate.

Except some people get the wrong idea and it spreads and, as happens with gatherings of people, gossip turns to truth turns to animosity. So Kawakami comes to this new store and basically buries her talents.

She finds a sympathetic ear in Yamada and becomes super attached as a result. But Kawakami ends up being very down on herself after the trauma of her old store and even lashes out a little.

So her dislike of Sasaki, who can seemingly relate to Yamada without issue, and is her favorite, now makes infinitely more sense. It’s a really interesting turn, not just because she and Sasaki turn out to have a lot in common.

Sasaki is also dealing with a lot this volume and is forced to go back to the place that he was banished from as well. It’s all really neatly done and I liked all the stuff between our leads as they encourage and step around one another.

Especially because Yamada is clearly not dealing with things of her own. I appreciate that she’s not just there to be an object of affection; there are issues under the surface for her too.

This definitely leads to the awkward, yet heartfelt, romance that is definitely not, yet definitely is, happening. This certainly is an age gap romance, but it also certainly hits so much differently when the two people are grown-ass adults who can make their own choices.

If this falls down, I think it kind of does so at the end, which manages to be a little over the top (it does still manage some character work that I would deem effective at the same time, mind). It also leans into the ridiculous dual identity conceit that has been at the heart of the story for, frankly, too long.

Still, I was really a bit tired of this last volume and this left me very content. It’s not the heights of the series at its best, but there was a lot more here than there has been for a while. It was well done and I appreciate that.

3.5 stars - solid for the most part, but let down by a climax that is a bit iffy in its design. Definitely worth rounding up though; such a welcome improvement deserves it.
Profile Image for Danielle.
485 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2026
This is such a slow burn that the cherry on the cigarette is barely visible anymore when i started this volume. With how this one ended, I am hopeful that we will be smoking better in the next.
Profile Image for Othy.
511 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2026
A sweet but unfortunately disappointing issue. The plot has taken on the qualities of manga/anime that are going on too long: each "problem" or misunderstanding ends with one character saying or doing something that makes the other party almost realize their feelings for them. Nothing advanced and nothing really happens between them. The issue of work and dealing with the actions of one's past is novel, but it isn't presented well and relies on sudden exclamations of emotions (sometimes when drunk) for people to share feelings, instead of characters overcoming themselves and moving forward. Much of it seems contrived, not natural, which is a bit unfortunate for a manga that is usually so well-written.
Profile Image for Frédéric.
2,184 reviews88 followers
May 17, 2025
Things are moving forward... a little. But to the point where we can begin to imagine that the series should be concluded in 2 or 3 volumes.
Sasaki and Yamada both realise that their relationship has changed over time, and so have their feelings. But Yamada is stubborn and Sasaki is dense so...
Profile Image for Chris Gernon.
204 reviews
June 16, 2026
This one starts right out with Yamada running over Sasaki with a bicycle, and it’s a perfect start to a volume that throws all kinds of new and unexpected story elements into the mix. Sasaki gets work advice from Tayama! The whole gang goes to a classic summer festival! We get a wonderful Kawakami backstory that really sheds light on her character in the present … and Kawakami and Sasaki finally have it out in an Ill-advised head-to-head drunken throwdown, leading to an incredibly intense emotional cliffhanger! Things seem to be either coming to a head or on the verge of completely falling apart - can’t wait for the next volume!
Profile Image for Jessica.
426 reviews62 followers
February 26, 2026
Este tomo no solo ha servido para conocer —y reconciliarme— un personaje que no soportaba, sino ver, además de escenas realmente bonitas y tiernas, ver como, a su ritmo, tanto Sasaki como Yamada van dándose cuenta de lo importante que es el otro, y como quieren ser una fuente de apoyo. De verdad que los japoneses tienen un don para este tipo de cosas, y Jinushi no es menos.

Creo que es el tomo que me ha dejado con más ganas de continuar con el siguiente, afortunadamente acaba de salir el 7 y espero pronto poder tener el placer de leerlo.
83 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2026
I was hoping for some more progression but I guess I shouldn't have expected anything as a seasoned shoujo reader. There was plenty to see here as the volume was longer than average. Still a lot of focus on the past and not the future. I'd still recommend it
Profile Image for Heather D-G.
999 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2026
This continues to be the very slowest of slow burns, but there’s something just so compelling and relatable about It. Yamada and Sasaki move closer together, and within that movement are so many little important moments, so many details that just draw you in. Love it.
Profile Image for Squilvia.
412 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2026
I'm so bored, but I'm in way too deep to stop reading 🥲 The slow burn is TOO slow.
Profile Image for Regan Johnston.
128 reviews
April 28, 2026
i just hate kawakami, like even the last like 4 pages cant make up for her bad attitude
Profile Image for Stewart Zdrojowy.
13 reviews
July 2, 2026
The slowest of slow burns, in the best possible way. I'll be 90 before they even hold hands, and it will be so worth it.
Profile Image for Sandra.
921 reviews13 followers
February 19, 2026
Eher, 3,5 Sterne, aber okay, ich runde mal auf.

Band 6 startet extrem stark, endlich wieder was zwischen Tayama und Sasaki und dazu auch noch wirklich mega süß, mit teils wirklich schönen, wichtigen Lebensweisheiten, die jetzt nichts mit deren (Slow Burn) Romanze zu tun haben, sondern wo es generell ums Leben, Ängste usw. geht. Mega gut.

Nur leider taucht ab der MItte Kawakami wieder auf und ich hasse, hasssssseeee diesen Charakter SO DERMASSEN. Ugh. Ich brauch kein scheiß Drama in dieser Serie, nur wiel sich diese dumme Kuh überall einmischen muss, weil sie meint es besser zu wissen.
Einzig gute ist, dass Sasaki das überhaupt nicht so aufnimmt und Kawas dummes, nerviges Gefrotzel total an ihm vorbeigeht.

Und das Sonderkapitel über ihre OH SO TRAURIGE SOB-Vergangenheit ging mir am Arsch vorbei, interessiert mich nicht.

Zum Ende hab ich ein apar Seiten auch einfach überflogen, weil ehrlich, es ist mir egal, was mit dem Mädel ist *augenroll*.
Wenigstens das Ende von dem band war dann weider süß. ich will einfach mehr von Yamada und Sasaki haben, und nicht diese dämlichen Einmischungen.
Profile Image for Zibbi.
370 reviews19 followers
April 3, 2026
Coloured first pages! Hell yeah!

This story is still moving at a very slow pace, and yet, against all reason, I am still frustratingly into it. Perhaps especially because of that. If you are going to give me romance, I want it slow-burn and believable.

I still do not like Kami all that much, but I really felt for her here. What happened to her in the past is exactly the sort of thing that can flatten a teenager’s self-esteem and leave the dents there for years (cough so relatable cough). And now I am even more curious about Sasaki, because people do not become this unassuming and quietly fragile by accident. Something clearly happened there too, and I am very interested in finding out what.

Oba and Ms. Ono are adorable as ever, continuing their important public service of being delightful whenever they appear, even though Oba seemed to be everyone’s punching bag.

There’s also that wonderful drawing in that scene where Tayama is so pleased to see Sasaki at the closed supermarket!
Profile Image for Natalie.
1,291 reviews20 followers
April 9, 2026
I love this series so much 😭 It drives me crazy in the best way!

I really enjoyed getting more of Kami here. Her backstory gets fleshed out more, and it gives some nuance to why she acts the way she does. I’m ultimately satisfied with the inclusion of her and her development, as by the end of this volume it seems she’s reached a truce with Sasaki. She can see that he’s not that different from her, and there’s solidarity to find in that. They both highly treasure Yamada, and just want to stay in her good graces. They’re both just so paranoid that they keep making dumb mistakes…when everything would be fine if they were just honest and transparent with Yamada.

Anyway ✨

I also adore the budding friendship between Sasaki and Ms. Nishizono! They seem to understand each other pretty well, and honestly they both seem like they could use the friendship 😂 No complaints here.

Now I must wait for the release of the next volume 😔
Profile Image for Sofia.
138 reviews
August 1, 2025
Eccoci siamo in pariii
Abbiamo un po' di relazioni tra i due ma soprattutto.
Sasaki un giorno mentre parla con Suzuki scopre che la sua sottoposta ha vinto un premio e deve andare alla filia centrale dove ce una voce con sasaki.
Quindi sasaki va al supermercato ed parla con Tamaya ma ad un certo punto lei urla contro di lui perché lui non ha detto ancora che cosa vuole fare ma sta rimuginando di quello che pensano i colleghi ma dopo questa lavata da parte di lei va.
Passa un po' di tempo e arriviamo al festival dei fuochi d'artificio ed ad un centro punto lui va al supermercato ma e chiuso ed lei arriva con il Kimono ed qui succede qualcosa.
Poi vediamo anche la storia di Kawakami.
Posso dire che e stato una bellissima lettura fino a qui.
Quando si sono visti al supermercato bellissimi😍
Non vedo l'ora di vedere i prossimi volumi
Profile Image for Zian B..
2,353 reviews33 followers
March 15, 2026
This volume hints at there finally being a turning point in Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama’s very soon, with the pair having such cute moments at different points within this set of chapters, and I’m beyond excited for it. As much as I enjoy reading this series, I’m getting a bit tired of the way that these 2 keep dancing around their feelings for each other. I usually love slow-burn romances but this was is a bit much even for me. Also, I really liked the way that the newer character: Kami, got fleshed out in this volume. We got to see more glimpses of her dynamic with Yamada, saw a bit of a dynamic shift with her and Sasaki, and even saw a flashback of how her previous job went. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of her, but she really warmed up to me.
Overall, I’m very curious and even more hopeful for Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama’s dynamic going into this next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samuel.
590 reviews
March 26, 2026
91%

I’m still not a massive fan of Kawakami’s character tbh, but damn if that final chapter didn’t get me. The Sasaki and Yamada moments in this volume were really good. There was a bit of actual progress too (he can finally admit she looks good at least).

I hope this series doesn’t get stretched out for too long, though. That’s always a killer for these slice-of-life romance series, imo. Hopefully there’s only like ten or so volumes - that’d be a good amount imo, and lowkey this manga would probably be up there for me especially for romance manga lol.
Profile Image for ToBooksWithLuv.
202 reviews2 followers
August 13, 2025
Sasaki en este tomo está... más hot?👀

qué decir? aguante el romance sáfico de señoras 👩‍❤️‍👩

(resta puntos la historia de Kawakami que meh ... pero los suma porque nos dio un glimpse de una backstory de Sasaki que parece va interesante)

no se va a entender, pero creo que si en esta historia los protagonistas no terminan juntos, that's fine by me and it would make so much sense. peeeeeeero en realidad ¿si? me gustaría que pase?
Profile Image for Cassandra.
3,368 reviews33 followers
March 5, 2026
At 6 volumes in, I think I would typically be annoyed at this slow burn but we got some admitting to self of growing feelings. I love how Yamada is not sexualized, his slowly developing romantic feelings do not feel skevvy or chikan-ish. I kind of relate to Yamada (not the young part) but the older guy who took way too long to make a move. The ending of this volume was amazing and I want more now.
Profile Image for Abril  Roldán.
110 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2025
La historia de Kami hizo que apreciara un poquito mas al personaje, pero aun así se siente como un plato de segunda a comparación con el plato principal que son Yamada y Sasaki. De a poco van avanzando en su relación, y hay momentos muy lindos en este tomo, pero aún así me gustaría que apuren un poco el ritmo.
Profile Image for Jacob.
76 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 13, 2026
I was so mad at the Royal Mail for having this book rattling around their system for five days because I love this series so much. It touches me deeply and I cannot wait for each successive volume. The tiniest gesture between the pair lights a fire in my chest and I just need them to finally get on the same page. It’d be worth the series ending to have them happy together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews