Crunchyroll is gearing up for its Summer 2026 anime season, with dozens of new and returning series set to stream weekly after Japanese broadcast. According to a third-party report, the full schedule will be released by the end of June. One standout title, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, based on Jinushi's popular manga, premieres in July after a special 12-episode mini-series aired on ABEMA on June 3 — and it trended online almost immediately.

The 12 mini-episodes that trended before the July premiere

As the source reporrts, the first six episodes of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You were adapted into 12 mini-episodes and broadcast on Japanese TV network ABEMA on June 3. it didn't take long for the series to trend online, signalling strong pre-launch buzz. This staggered release — a mini-binge followed by the full season in July — is an increasingly common strategy for generating word-of-mouth before a mainstream rollout. For Crunchyroll, it means the series arrives with an already engaged audience.

Why an office worker and a supermarket cashier are drawing global buzz

The story centers on Sasaki, a middle-aged office worker worn down by a demanding job. His only relief is seeing the cheerful smile of Yamada, a young cashier at his local 24-hour supermarket. But when he discovers her shift has ended, he meets the mysterious, bold Tayama, who invites him to smoke behind the store. The series, which started as a webcomic on X (formerly Twitter) in March 2022 before serializing in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan in July 2022, blends romance and comedy in an everyday setting. The report notes that the dynamic between Sasaki, Yamada, and Tayama has already resonated with readers across eight manga volumes.

Square Enix's manga-to-anime pipeline: six volumes already in English

The manga has released eight volumes so far, with six already available in English through Square Enix's official website . volume 7 is set for an English release on July 7, 2026 — just days into the anime's broadcast. This tight synchronization between manga and anime highlights a strategic push by Square Enix to capture international audiences. The original article frames this as strong synergy, and indeed, for fans of the manga, the anime adaptation arrives at a moment when the story is still fresh in print.

What Crunchyroll's schedule has in store — and what we don't yet know

Beyond Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Crunchyroll will stream dozens of other series in the Summer 2026 season, though the full list won't be published until late June. The report mentions that 2026 has been one of the best years for anime fans, with returning hits and new debuts. However, the source provides no details on which other shows are confirmed, leaving a significant gap. It is also unclear exactly how many regions will have access to the entire lineup from day one, as Crunchyroll often staggers releases by territory. Readers should expect more concrete announcements closer to the end of June.

The broader context: Summer 2026 follows a winter and spring that featured major sequels and new IPs. The reliance on manga adaptations — especially ones with already-translated volumes — shows the industry's confidence in pre-sold audiences,but also raises the bar for originality. As the report points out, the series has trended online after its mini-episode drop, suggesting that the blend of heartfelt slice-of-life and quirky romance has struck a chord.