Finding a small refuge to escape the suffocating routine of adult life is almost a miracle, especially if that corner of peace appears in the least expected place and with the most unexpected company. The animated adaptation production of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (Super no Ura de Yani Su Futari) officially revealed its second main promotional video, confirming that its formal premiere is scheduled for July 9th. This trailer gives us a much more intimate look at the routine of its protagonists and serves to introduce a snippet of “Ichijiku Kemuri” (Fig Smoke), the opening theme performed by the acclaimed rock band ZUTOMAYO. It’s worth noting that a batch of 12 mini-episodes has already begun a digital pre-broadcast since June 3rd, paving the way for the full premiere on streaming platforms.

The voice cast

New additions

• Shinya Takahashi as Suzuki. (Known for his versatile work in the adaptation of Assassination Classroom).
• Toa Yukinari as Goto. (The unmistakable voice of Casca in Berserk and Velvet Scarlatina in RWBY).
• Megumi Toyoguchi as Ono. (The iconic Winry Rockbell in the classic version of Fullmetal Alchemist and the explosive Revy in Black Lagoon).
• Rikuya Yasuda as Obata. (A young talent known for his participation in Shin Chuuka Ichiban!).
• Yoko Hikasa as Maezawa. (The legendary Mio Akiyama in K-On! and the imposing Rias Gremory in High School DxD).

Previously confirmed cast

• Takuya Sato as Sasaki. (Famous for voicing Caesar Zeppeli in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Albert James Moriarty in Moriarty the Patriot).
• Seena Hoshiki as Yamada / Tayama. (The charismatic voice behind Riamu Yumemi in the The Idolmaster franchise).

The production team

Behind the scenes, the project’s direction is shared between Tadato Suzuki and Aoi Mori under the studio Asahi Production. The scripts adapting this slow relationship are written by Mio Inoue, while Yasuka Otaki handles bringing the character designs to the screen. To envelop each nighttime conversation in the ideal atmosphere, composers Shin Kono and Sayaka Aoki are in charge of the music, working alongside the sound director Kohei Yoshida. It’s worth remembering that the series’ ending will feature the theme “Fiction”, performed by the popular Japanese musician imase.

About Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You

The original story began its journey independently on X (Twitter) in March 2022 by its creator, Jinushi. The huge reader reception led Square Enix to bring it to the pages of the magazine Big Gangan in August of that same year, achieving the eighth place in the prestigious Manga Taisho awards in 2023. In fact, the manga continues to expand strongly, with its ninth compiled volume scheduled for release on July 24th.

The plot presents Sasaki, a middle-aged office worker completely consumed by the exhausting corporate pace of his daily life. His only comfort after leaving the office is meeting Yamada, a cheerful cashier at the local supermarket. However, one night things change when he fails to meet her shift and, while looking for a place to smoke behind the store, he meets Tayama, a girl in a motorcycle jacket with a rebellious style who invites him to share a cigarette. From those brief moments shared in the dim light, a tender and mature camaraderie begins to blossom between them without Sasaki suspecting the true identity of his new companion.

This type of slow, mature romance is completely different from the typical school drama filled with endless misunderstandings that dominates the current industry. Do you prefer this approach where character connection is built through small daily chats and shared silences, or do you prefer more dynamic romances where declarations and schemes happen from the first minutes?