The unconventional workplace romance anime, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, is slated for an official television premiere on July 10, with Crunchyroll streaming the series simultaneously in Japan. Despite its upcoming debut, the anime has already garnered significant attention, achieving one of Crunchyroll's highest user ratings thanks to a unique rollout strategy.
Before its official broadcast, the first six episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You were released on June 3 as a series of 12 bite-sized "mini-sodes," each approximately 10 minutes long. These are not supplementary content but rather a condensed version of the anime's opening arc. This approach has already resulted in the series amassing over 57,000 user ratings with an average of 4.9 stars, all prior to its official premiere.
The series originates from Jinushi's webcomic, which first appeared on X.com in March 2022 before being serialized in Monthly Big Gangan magazine. It also won the 2022 Next Manga Award in the web category and is published in English by Square Enix. The story centers on Sasaki, a 45-year-old office worker disillusioned by his demanding corporate job. His daily routine includes frequenting a local supermarket to purchase his usual dinner, snacks, and beer, primarily to interact with the cheerful young night-shift cashier, Yamada. Her smile provides him with a much-needed uplift.
The Premise Unfolds
Sasaki's routine is disrupted when a late work night causes him to miss Yamada at the store. While seeking a place to smoke, he encounters a young woman named Tayama, who invites him to join her behind the supermarket. Sasaki mistakes her for a new smoking companion, unaware that Tayama and Yamada are the same individual. This misunderstanding blossoms into a friendship that gradually develops into a slow-burn romance, balancing workplace drama with the charming dynamic of two people accidentally falling in love.
The anime adaptation is produced by Asahi Production, with Masato Suzuki and Aoi Mori directing. Mio Inoue serves as series composer, Tomoka Otaki is responsible for character designs, and Shin Kono and Sayaka Aoki handle the music composition. The opening theme is by Zutomayo, and the ending theme, "Fiction," is performed by Imase.
Viewers who have already experienced the 12 mini-sodes have essentially watched the first six standard-length episodes. New content will likely not appear until the episode airing on August 21. Those new to the series can begin with the preview mini-sodes available on Crunchyroll now or wait for the official television broadcast to commence. Whether the anime can sustain its high audience score among a broader weekly viewership remains to be seen, but its pre-premiere success has positioned Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You as a notable breakout romance of the summer 2026 season.