Crunchyroll has commenced streaming the highly anticipated English dub for the television anime adaptation of Jinushi’s beloved manga, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (also known by its Japanese title, Super no Ura de Yani Sū Futari), as of Thursday. This significant development brings the poignant slice-of-life story of two disparate individuals finding solace and connection in unexpected circumstances to a wider global audience. The release of the English dub marks another milestone in the anime’s international rollout, following its initial broadcast and streaming in Japan.
The anime series itself premiered on Japanese television on July 9th, making its debut on TBS and its extensive network of 27 affiliate channels. Broadcasting at 11:56 p.m. JST, the series has since garnered attention on other prominent streaming platforms within Japan, including ABEMA and Netflix. Crunchyroll, a leading global distributor of anime, is concurrently making the series available to viewers across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and India, underscoring the expansive reach of the anime’s appeal.
A Glimpse into the Production and Creative Team
The English dub cast, while not explicitly detailed in the initial announcement, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in translating the nuanced emotional landscape of the series for English-speaking viewers. The production of the anime itself is helmed by a dedicated team of industry professionals. Tadato Suzuki, known for his work on Gushing Over Magical Girls, and Aoi Mori, who also contributed to Gushing Over Magical Girls and served as an episode director for Teogonia, are co-directing the series at Asahi Production.
Mio Inoue, recognized for her scriptwriting contributions to A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace and My Awkward Senpai, is overseeing the series scripts, ensuring the narrative flows seamlessly. The character designs are brought to life by Yasuka Ōtaki, who has also worked on Gushing Over Magical Girls and A Galaxy Next Door. The musical score, a vital element in setting the tone and enhancing the emotional resonance of the anime, is composed by Shin Kōno, whose credits include arrangement work for theme songs of popular series like Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Arte, and Revenger, alongside Sayaka Aoki, known for her music in I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, Girlfriend, Girlfriend, and The Water Magician. The sound direction is under the expert guidance of Kōhei Yoshida, whose portfolio features Dark Gathering, Killed Again, Mr. Detective?, and A Star Brighter Than the Sun.
The opening theme song, "Ichijiku Kemuri" (Fig Smoke), is performed by the acclaimed rock band ZUTOMAYO, while the ending theme song, "Fiction," is delivered by the popular musician imase. These musical contributions are expected to further enhance the overall viewing experience and contribute to the anime’s distinct atmosphere.
The Journey to the Screen: From Digital Pages to Animated Series
The genesis of the Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You anime lies in Jinushi’s successful manga, which first gained traction on X/Twitter in March 2022. Its popularity quickly led to its serialization in Square Enix’s esteemed Big Gangan magazine in August 2022, solidifying its position as a noteworthy addition to the manga landscape. The manga’s narrative centers on Sasaki, a weary, middle-aged office worker whose daily existence is characterized by the monotony of corporate life. His only respite comes from the simple act of smoking and, more significantly, the brief, cheerful interactions with Yamada at the local supermarket. The story takes a pivotal turn when Sasaki, after a particularly grueling day, finds Yamada absent from her shift and discovers the lack of a designated smoking area. It is at this juncture that he encounters Tayama, a young woman in a biker jacket, who invites him to a clandestine smoking spot, setting in motion a unique and evolving relationship.
The manga’s journey to a wider audience began with its addition to Manga UP! Global in April 2023. This platform, along with others, has been instrumental in making the series accessible to international readers. Furthermore, Square Enix Manga & Books commenced its English release of the manga in February 2024, with the seventh volume slated for release on July 7th. Comikey also began offering the manga digitally in English in May 2023, and it is presently available on BookWalker, ensuring a comprehensive availability for its global fanbase.
The critical acclaim for the manga was further cemented when it secured eighth place in the prestigious 16th Manga Taisho awards in 2023, a testament to its compelling storytelling and resonant themes.
Pre-Broadcast Buzz and Limited Advance Streaming
Prior to its official television broadcast, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You generated significant anticipation through limited advance streaming. This strategy allowed dedicated fans to experience early segments of the anime. The ABEMA streaming service in Japan commenced this limited advance streaming on June 3rd. Demonstrating Crunchyroll’s commitment to timely content delivery, the platform also began streaming the anime’s first 12 mini-episodes on the same day. These mini-episodes, each approximately 10 minutes in length, were presented in "chronological order" and effectively covered episodes 1-6 of the main anime series, providing a concentrated taste of the narrative’s early developments.
This staggered release approach, including the advance streaming and the subsequent full series broadcast, has been a common and effective strategy for building momentum and engaging with the anime community ahead of a wider international launch. The success of these early releases often translates into increased viewership and fan engagement once the full series becomes available globally.
Examining the Broader Impact and Audience Reception
The decision to stream the English dub on Crunchyroll is a strategic move that caters to the significant demand for localized anime content. The availability of dubbed versions dramatically expands the accessibility of anime series to audiences who may not be fluent in Japanese or prefer to consume content in their native language. This localization effort not only broadens the potential viewership but also fosters deeper engagement by allowing viewers to connect more intimately with the characters and their emotional journeys without the barrier of subtitles.
The thematic core of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You—exploring themes of loneliness, the search for connection, and finding comfort in unexpected places—resonates deeply with a global audience. In an increasingly fast-paced and often isolating modern world, stories that highlight the importance of small moments of human interaction and the quiet solace found in shared experiences tend to strike a chord. The juxtaposition of Sasaki’s world-weariness with Tayama’s more free-spirited nature, and their shared ritual of smoking, creates a compelling dynamic that appeals to viewers seeking relatable and emotionally grounded narratives.
The success of the manga in award ceremonies and its consistent presence across multiple publishing and streaming platforms indicate a strong and growing fanbase. The anime adaptation, by bringing these characters and their story to animated life, has the potential to further amplify this popularity. The release of the English dub on a major platform like Crunchyroll signifies a substantial investment in the series’ international appeal and suggests confidence in its ability to capture the hearts of a diverse, global audience. As the series continues to unfold, its exploration of quiet moments and budding camaraderie promises to offer a refreshing and emotionally resonant viewing experience for anime fans worldwide. The ongoing commitment from both the production studio and international distributors like Crunchyroll underscores the enduring appeal of character-driven stories that prioritize emotional depth and relatable human experiences.
