Convenience Store Woman

The charming and unexpected tale of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura is Convenience Store Woman. Keiko has never fit in—neither with her family nor at school—but she finds contentment and meaning in her life when, at the age of 18, she starts working at the "Smile Mart" location in Hiiromachi. She knows the social norms at the shop, which are different from anyplace else. Many of these norms are outlined in detail in the company handbook. She does her best to mimic the attire, demeanour, and speech patterns of her coworkers, doing a great job, more or less, of portraying a "normal" person. While shop managers come and go, Keiko remains there for eighteen years. It's almost impossible to distinguish between her and the shop. Keiko is content, but everyone close to her—from her family to her coworkers—push her more and harder to start a professional job and find a spouse, which drives her to behave desperate.

Convenience Store Woman is a witty and perceptive look at modern work culture and the demands to fit in, as well as a lovely and entirely new image of a memorable heroine. It is a remarkable portrayal of a peculiar psychology and a world hidden from view.