Crunchyroll Releases Early Episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You Ahead of Summer Premiere

Crunchyroll has made 12 mini-episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You available to viewers ahead of the official series premiere scheduled for July. The early-access episodes, each running between 10 and 15 minutes, serve as a preview of the romance anime adaptation that originated as a webcomic. The streaming platform released the content on June 3rd, following an earlier broadcast on the Japanese network ABEMA.

The Story and Characters

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You centers on Sasaki, an overworked salaryman whose daily routine revolves around visits to a local 24-hour supermarket. His primary source of comfort comes from brief interactions with Yamada, the cheerful and friendly service worker behind the counter. One evening, after discovering that Yamada's shift has ended, Sasaki encounters Tamaya, a bold and pierced young woman who invites him to smoke with her behind the store. This chance encounter marks the beginning of an unusual connection built on vulnerability and trust rather than immediate romantic attraction.

The narrative distinguishes itself from conventional romance anime by focusing on the emotional landscape of adult life rather than adolescent relationships. Unlike genre entries such as The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity or Hana-Kimi, which explore youthful love dynamics, this adaptation delves into how connections form amid the monotony and pressures of the corporate world. The relationship between Sasaki and Tamaya develops gradually, with emotional depth preceding romantic sentiment.

Source Material and Production

The anime is based on a manga written and illustrated by Jinushi that debuted as a webcomic published on X in March 2022. The manga subsequently began serialization in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine in July 2022. The adaptation has generated significant anticipation within the anime community, with industry observers positioning it as a standout entry in the romance genre for the upcoming season. The early mini-episodes represent an adaptation of the first six manga chapters into condensed form, offering viewers a comprehensive introduction to the story and its central characters.

Crunchyroll is expected to announce its complete Summer 2026 schedule before the end of June, which will detail all upcoming series, premiere dates, and regional availability. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You will follow a weekly release schedule beginning in July, joining numerous other anticipated titles in what has been described as a particularly strong season for anime releases.