Smoking Behind the Supermarket English Dub Debuts on Crunchyroll
Fans of the slice-of-life anime "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" have a new reason to celebrate! Crunchyroll officially began streaming the English dub for the series this Thursday. This highly anticipated release allows a wider audience to enjoy the heartwarming story of Sasaki and Yamada in their preferred language.
Meet the English Dub Cast
The English dub brings a talented voice cast to embody the beloved characters. Leading the ensemble is Giles Panton, who takes on the role of the weary but kind Sasaki. Caitlyn Bairstow voices the dual roles of Yamada and Tayama, bringing her signature versatility to the complex character. Andrew Francis lends his voice to Suzuki, while Ruth Alexander portrays Ono. Rounding out the main cast, Brian Dobson delivers the lines for Sasaki's Boss.
This stellar lineup promises to deliver an authentic and engaging experience for viewers as they dive into the gentle narrative.
Anime's Journey from Japan to Global Streaming
The original Japanese broadcast of "Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You" first aired on TBS and its 27 affiliate channels on July 9 at 11:56 p.m. JST. Beyond TBS, the series is also available for streaming on ABEMA and Netflix in Japan. Crunchyroll ensures its global reach, streaming the anime across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and India, making it accessible to a vast international audience.
Prior to its main television debut, the anime had a limited advance streaming run on ABEMA in Japan starting June 3. On the same day, Crunchyroll also released the anime's first 12 mini-episodes. These concise, 10-minute episodes collectively present episodes 1-6 of the anime in chronological order, offering an early glimpse into the story.
Original Japanese Cast and Production Details
The Japanese cast features Takuya Satō as Sasaki and Seena Hoshiki as Yamada/Tayama. Shinya Takahashi voices Suzuki, Toa Yukinari is Gotō, Megumi Toyoguchi plays Ōno, and Rikuya Yasuda takes on Obata. Yōko Hikasa rounds out the cast as Maezawa.
The anime is directed by Tadato Suzuki and Aoi Mori at Asahi Production. Mio Inoue handles the series scripts, while Yasuka Ōtaki is responsible for character designs. The music is composed by Shin Kōno and Sayaka Aoki, with Kōhei Yoshida serving as the sound director. The opening theme song, "Ichijiku Kemuri" (Fig Smoke), is performed by rock band ZUTOMAYO, and musician imase performs the ending theme song "Fiction."
The Heartwarming Story: Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
The narrative centers around Sasaki, a middle-aged office worker exhausted by his unrewarding corporate life. His only solace comes from smoking and the daily sight of Yamada's smiling face at the local supermarket. One evening, after a particularly trying day, he misses Yamada's shift and finds himself without a smoking area. Just as he is about to leave, a girl in a biker jacket named Tayama invites him to a secret smoking spot. This chance encounter sparks a heartwarming connection that helps Sasaki navigate his daily struggles.
Manga's Journey and Recognition
Jinushi first launched the manga on X/Twitter in March 2022, quickly gaining popularity before it began serialization in Square Enix's Big Gangan magazine in August 2022. The ninth compiled book volume of the manga is scheduled for release on July 24.
For English-speaking readers, Square Enix Manga & Books started releasing the manga in February 2024, with the seventh volume set to ship on July 7. Comikey also offers digital English releases of the manga, starting in May 2023, and it is available on BookWalker. The manga's quality has not gone unnoticed, as it secured eighth place in the prestigious 16th Manga Taisho awards in 2023.
With the English dub now streaming, fans can experience this beloved story in a new way, further cementing its place as a cherished contemporary anime and manga series.
