Crunchyroll’s Surprise Summer 2026 Anime Release Is Already Climbing the Charts as One of the Year’s Best

by

The Spring 2026 anime season is wrapping up, and planning for the Summer season is already in full swing. Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, is getting ready too. They’ve actually started with a surprising move: releasing an early preview of one anime, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You. This anime, intended for the Summer season, is being released with half of its episodes now as a special preview. It’s a more adult-oriented series that prominently features smoking.

Crunchyroll released twelve short episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, which condense the story originally planned for the first six episodes of a full 12-episode season. Since its unexpected release, the show has gained a loyal following due to its unique concept and thoughtful themes, offering a different take on slice-of-life and romance. It’s been very well-received, with almost 15,000 ratings and a perfect 5-star score, making it one of the top-rated anime of the year so far.

Crunchyroll’s Surprise Summer 2026 Release Offers a Broader Perspective on Anime

At first glance, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You seems like a simple story about Sasaki, a man in his 40s who dislikes his job. One of the few things that cheers him up is seeing Yamada, a cheerful young woman who works as a supermarket clerk. He starts visiting the store often, even just to see her. One day, when Yamada isn’t at work, Sasaki meets a different woman smoking behind the supermarket. It’s a surprise to discover that this cool, unconventional woman is actually another side of Yamada’s personality.

Sasaki’s story starts with him eagerly anticipating meeting two women who are actually one and the same, bringing unexpected joy into his life. This concept feels refreshingly realistic, something anime hasn’t explored much lately. While many slice-of-life anime are excellent, they often center around high school romance, which can leave older viewers feeling like the stories aren’t for them.

The anime Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You has quickly become popular by attracting viewers with its mature themes and relatable story. It’s also easy to watch – the initial release of just 12 short episodes makes it perfect for binge-watching or casual viewing. This combination has made it one of the top-rated anime on Crunchyroll in 2026, and its popularity is expected to grow as new episodes are released this summer.

Read More

2026-06-08 01:11