Crunchyroll Ignites the Airwaves with English Dub of "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You"

The highly anticipated English dub of the hit anime series, "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You," has officially premiered on Crunchyroll, bringing the heartwarming and relatable tale of unexpected connection to a global audience. The streaming giant launched the dubbed version of Jinushi’s beloved manga adaptation on Thursday, following the anime’s successful debut in Japan.

This release marks a significant milestone for the series, which has garnered a dedicated following for its nuanced portrayal of everyday struggles and the quiet solace found in shared moments. The English dub aims to further amplify the anime’s reach, allowing viewers worldwide to experience the poignant narrative and the compelling characters of Sasaki and Yamada in their own language.

A Tale of Solace and Shared Smokes: The Anime’s Journey

The anime adaptation of "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You," also known by its Japanese title "Super no Ura de Yani SÅ« Futari," made its initial broadcast on Japan’s TBS network and its 27 affiliated channels on July 9th, airing at the late hour of 11:56 p.m. JST. The series quickly found additional homes on streaming platforms ABEMA and Netflix, catering to the diverse viewing habits of the Japanese audience.

Crunchyroll, a leading platform for anime streaming, has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the series across a vast international territory. This includes North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS countries, and India, ensuring that fans across continents can readily access the latest episodes.

The anime’s rollout in Japan also featured a unique pre-release strategy. A limited advance streaming run commenced on the ABEMA platform on June 3rd. On the very same day, Crunchyroll began streaming the anime’s first twelve mini-episodes. These bite-sized installments, each approximately 10 minutes in length, were presented in "chronological order" and effectively covered the first six episodes of the main anime series, offering fans an early taste of the story. This innovative approach allowed for staggered content delivery and built anticipation for the full broadcast.

The Creative Engine Behind the Series

The English dub’s arrival is underpinned by a talented cast and crew, bringing Jinushi’s compelling narrative to life with renewed vigor. While the specific voice actors for the English dub were not detailed in the initial announcement, the production itself boasts a strong pedigree.

The anime is helmed by directors 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." Their collaborative vision is brought to life by Asahi Production, a studio with a growing reputation for quality animation.

Mio Inoue, whose credits include "A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace" and "My Awkward Senpai," is responsible for the series’ scripts, ensuring the dialogue remains faithful to the spirit of the original manga. Character design duties fall to Yasuka ÅŒtaki, who previously worked on "Gushing Over Magical Girls" and "A Galaxy Next Door," promising a visually appealing and consistent character representation.

The musical landscape of the anime is crafted by composers Shin KÅno, whose extensive work includes "Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card," "Arte," and "Revenger" (theme song arrangement), and Sayaka Aoki, known for her contributions to "I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss," "Girlfriend, Girlfriend," and "The Water Magician." The auditory experience is further enriched by sound director KÅhei Yoshida, whose credits include "Dark Gathering," "Killed Again, Mr. Detective?," and "A Star Brighter Than the Sun."

The anime is further amplified by its engaging theme songs. The opening theme, "Ichijiku Kemuri" (Fig Smoke), is performed by the popular rock band ZUTOMAYO, whose distinctive sound is sure to resonate with fans. The ending theme, "Fiction," is provided by the emerging musician imase, adding another layer of artistic flair to the series.

From Social Media to Serialization: The Manga’s Ascent

The narrative of "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" originates from the talented pen of Jinushi. The manga first captured attention on X/Twitter in March 2022, where its relatable themes and character-driven story quickly gained traction. Recognizing its potential, Square Enix then brought the series into its prestigious Big Gangan magazine for official serialization in August 2022.

The manga’s success has been further cemented by its availability on various digital platforms. Manga UP! Global added the series to its roster in April 2023, introducing it to a wider international readership. Square Enix Manga & Books began releasing the manga in English in February 2024, with the seventh volume slated for release on July 7th. Comikey also joined the fray, commencing its digital English release in May 2023, and the manga is also accessible on BookWalker, ensuring multiple avenues for fans to engage with the source material.

The story, as described by Manga UP! Global, centers on Sasaki, a middle-aged office worker drowning in the monotony of corporate life. His only solace comes from his brief encounters with Yamada at a local supermarket. One evening, a dejected Sasaki, seeking to unwind with a cigarette, finds himself without a designated smoking area. It’s then that Tayama, a young woman in a biker jacket, invites him to a secret smoking spot, setting in motion a unique and unexpected connection.

The manga’s critical acclaim is further underscored by its performance at the 16th Manga Taisho awards in 2023, where it secured eighth place, a testament to its compelling storytelling and widespread appeal within the manga community.

Implications and Future Prospects

The English dub’s release on Crunchyroll signifies a strategic move to capitalize on the growing global demand for diverse anime content. By providing a high-quality dubbed version, Crunchyroll aims to lower the barrier to entry for a broader audience, including those who may not be as comfortable with subtitles. This inclusivity can foster new fanbases and deepen the engagement of existing ones.

The success of "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" in its various forms—manga, original Japanese anime, and now the English dub—highlights a growing trend in the anime industry: the appreciation for slice-of-life narratives that focus on emotional resonance and character development over high-octane action. The series taps into universal themes of loneliness, the search for connection, and the simple joys that can be found in unexpected places.

The anime’s extensive streaming reach through Crunchyroll, coupled with its availability on other major platforms like Netflix, ensures that it will be readily accessible to a significant portion of the global anime-watching population. This broad distribution strategy is crucial for maximizing the series’ potential and solidifying its place in the international anime landscape.

Furthermore, the continued success and expansion of series like "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" signal a positive outlook for the anime industry as a whole. It demonstrates a market that is not only receptive to a wide range of genres but also actively seeking out stories that offer depth, relatability, and a sense of gentle optimism. As more viewers discover Sasaki and Yamada’s quiet camaraderie, the series is poised to become another beloved entry in the ever-expanding universe of anime.