Chainsmoker Cat
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Yaniko Satō
ヤニねこ
(Yani Neko)
Genre Comedy, slice of life[1]
Manga
Written by NyanNyanFactory
Published by Kodansha
English publisher
  • NA: Seven Seas Entertainment
Imprint Young Magazine KC
Magazine Weekly Young Magazine
Original run February 20, 2023 – present
Volumes 12
Anime television series
Directed by Taku Kimura
Written by Takashi Aoshima
Music by Keiichi Suzuki
Studio Bibury Animation Studios
Licensed by
  • Netflix (streaming rights)
  • OceanVeil (streaming rights)
  • SEA: Medialink
Original network Tokyo MX, BS11, AT-X
Original run July 3, 2026 – present
Episodes 1
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Chainsmoker Cat (Japanese: ヤニねこ, Hepburn: Yani Neko) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by NyanNyanFactory. It has been serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine since February 2023. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bibury Animation Studios premiered in July 2026.

Plot

The series follows Yaniko, a catgirl who lives in a small apartment building in modern-day Japan and is addicted to smoking, regardless of the damage to her environment, her psyche, or her family. Almost all money she gets goes towards buying new cigarettes, and when she cannot buy new packs, Yaniko resorts to reusing spent cigarette butts or salvaging loose smokes off the street. As the series progresses, more catgirls are introduced with their own issues, along with their human landlord who tolerates their antics, and hints of an old civilization of cat-people capable of making their own tobacco products.

Characters

Yaniko Satō (佐藤 ヤニ子, Satō Yaniko) / Yanineko (ヤニねこ)
Voiced by: Yūko Natsuyoshi[2]
The titular Chainsmoking Cat. Yaniko is so addicted to cigarettes that she will do anything for another smoke, no matter how degrading or gross it may seem, and attempts by others to help her quit smoking never last long.
Yakuko Etsushimaru (越司丸 益子, Etsushimaru Yakuko) / Yakuneko (ヤクねこ)
Voiced by: Misato Matsuoka[3]
A girl who looks up to Yaniko as her senior. She secretly uses harder drugs in her apartment.
Yurufuwa Anal Tenshi Hameko (ゆるふわ＊天使 ハメ子) / Hameneko (ハメねこ)
Voiced by: Yurie Funato[3]
Yaniko's high school classmate who loves playing fighting games, livestreaming, and uploading videos on her "Hame Channel". Easily angered and flustered when things do not go her way. Born without a legal last name, she decided to register Yurufuwa*Tenshi as her last name. However a city hall worker mistook the asterisk symbol for anus, hence giving her a rather awkward last name.
Kaoruko Nishi (西 薫子, Nishi Kaoruko) / Kansaineko (カンサイねこ)
Voiced by: Ayaka Shimizu[3]
A college student and amateur comedian from the Kansai region.
Aruko Sakai (酒井 アル子, Sakai Aruko) / Aruneko (アルねこ)
Voiced by: Shiori Izawa[3]
A college student despite looking like a small girl with a massive hairdo. An alcoholic with a habit of wandering off to distant places when drinking outside her home.
Saori Tatsuno (辰野 沙織, Tatsuno Saori) / Ochinpo Tatsuro (おちんぽ達郎)
Voiced by: Riko Akechi[3]
The only human neighbor of Yaniko's apartment and a fellow smoker who works as a manga artist under a pseudonym, though her manga does not sell well. She sometimes asks Yaniko or other Beastfolk to assist with her manga, with mixed results.
Landlord Otani (大谷おう也, Ōtani Ōya)
Voiced by: Tetsu Inada[3]
The landlord of the apartment building where most of the main cast live. Often the victim of Yaniko's laziness, but very levelheaded despite his intimidating appearance.
Imoko Satō (佐藤 妹子, Satō Imoko)
Voiced by: Rina Honnizumi[4]
Yaniko's younger sister who is a respected and responsible high school student. She often takes care of Yaniko's wellbeing.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by NyanNyanFactory, Chainsmoker Cat started in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine on February 20, 2023.[5] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes, with the first one released on August 4, 2023.[1] As of May 20, 2026, twelve volumes have been released.[6]

In February 2025, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that it had licensed the series for English publication, with the first volume released in December that same year.[7]

Volumes

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 August 4, 2023[8] 978-4-06-532350-2 December 9, 2025[9] 979-8-89561-435-8
2 November 6, 2023[10] 978-4-06-533630-4 March 17, 2026[11] 979-8-89561-436-5
3 February 6, 2024[12] 978-4-06-534615-0 June 16, 2026[13] 979-8-89561-437-2
4 May 7, 2024[14] 978-4-06-535598-5 September 15, 2026[15] 979-8-89561-438-9
5 August 6, 2024[16] 978-4-06-535598-5 December 15, 2026[17] 979-8-89561-439-6
6 November 6, 2024[18] 978-4-06-537452-8 — —
7 February 6, 2025[19] 978-4-06-538464-0 — —
8 April 28, 2025[20] 978-4-06-539491-5 — —
9 August 6, 2025[21] 978-4-06-540533-8 — —
10 November 6, 2025[22] 978-4-06-541400-2 — —
11 February 6, 2026[23] 978-4-06-542531-2 — —
12 May 20, 2026[6] 978-4-06-543541-0 — —

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced on February 2, 2026. The series is produced by Bibury Animation Studios and directed by Taku Kimura, with Takashi Aoshima writing the scripts, Riki Matsuura designing the characters, and Keiichi Suzuki composing the music. It premiered on July 3, 2026, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[2][3][a] The series is being released in two versions: an "Evil Dragon Unleashed" version that "respects the work's directorial intent" on some of the episodes, and an "On-Air" version intended for broadcast on terrestrial television. The "Evil Dragon Unleashed" version is available on the AT-X premium subscription channel, as well as on the AnimeFesta, DMM TV, Fuji TV On Demand, Hulu, Netflix, and Anime Times [ja] streaming services in Japan; AnimeFesta and Anime Times also have the "On-Air" version. 16 other streaming services only offer the "On-Air" version in Japan.[24] The opening theme song is "Nanmonee" (なんもねえ; lit. 'Nothing at All'), performed by Wasureranneyo [ja], while the ending theme song is "Kemuri to Blue" (煙とブルー; lit. 'Smoke and Blue'), performed by Necry Talkie.[25]

Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific, streaming it on its Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.[26] Netflix began streaming the series outside of Japan on July 2, 2026.[27] OceanVeil is also streaming the series.[28]

Episodes

No. Title [29] Directed by [29] Written by [29] Storyboarded by [29] Original release date [30][a]
1 Transliteration: "Nyā ga Yani Neko Nya" (Japanese: ニャーがヤニねこにゃ) Taku Kimura Takashi Aoshima Taku Kimura July 3, 2026 (2026-07-03)
Yaniko spills tar juice on herself and her landlord. Yaniko accidentally spills cigarettes from a new pack on the ground. Yaniko tries to work at a few part-time jobs but her chainsmoking angers her employers. Yaniko is forced to live on a few hundred yen and six cigarettes for a week. Yaniko calls her sister, Imoko. Yaniko uses multiple nicotine patches at once. Yaniko blows a smoke ring in the shape of a heart. Yaniko's smoke reminds the Landlord of his abusive father. Yaniko takes a bath and falls asleep naked, making herself sick. Imoko visits Yaniko's apartment in a Hazmat suit to nurse her back to health. Yaniko has a nightmare about a doctor visit that makes her promise to quit smoking to Imoko, only to get inspired to smoke again by seeing the Milky Way.

Reception

The series ranked 12th in the ninth Next Manga Award in the print category in 2023;[31][32] it ranked 13th in the 2024 edition in the same category.[33] The series ranked 18th in Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga of 2024 for male readers.[34]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Tokyo MX listed the series premiere on July 2 at 24:30, which is effectively July 3 at 12:30 a.m. JST.

References

  1. ^ a b とにかくタバコが大好きなクズ獣人・ヤニねこの日常を描く「ヤニねこ」1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Loo, Egan (February 1, 2026). "Chainsmoker Cat Manga Gets TV Anime in July". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Loo, Egan (April 3, 2026). "Chainsmoker Cat Anime Announces 6 More Cast Members, July 2 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 3, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  4. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 17, 2026). "Chainsmoker Cat Anime Casts Rina Honnizumi". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 18, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  5. ^ ヤニねこ：ちまたで話題のやべーマンガが「ヤンマガ」に　今、最もクズなネコ. Mantan Web (in Japanese). February 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  6. ^ a b 【5月20日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 20, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  7. ^ Tai, Anita (February 27, 2025). "Seven Seas Licenses Godzilla -1.0 & Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World Novels, A Reincarnated Carrier's Strategy for Another World Manga, 6 More Titles". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  8. ^ 【8月4日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "Chainsmoker Cat Vol. 1". Seven Seas Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  10. ^ 【11月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 6, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Chainsmoker Cat Vol. 2". Seven Seas Entertainment. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  12. ^ 【2月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 6, 2024. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  13. ^ "Chainsmoker Cat Vol. 3". Seven Seas Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 19, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  14. ^ 【5月7日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "Chainsmoker Cat Vol. 4". Seven Seas Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  16. ^ 【8月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 6, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Chainsmoker Cat Vol. 5". Seven Seas Entertainment. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  18. ^ 【11月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 6, 2024. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  19. ^ 【2月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 6, 2025. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  20. ^ 【4月28日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 28, 2025. Archived from the original on April 3, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  21. ^ 【8月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 6, 2025. Archived from the original on February 28, 2026. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  22. ^ 【11月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 6, 2025. Archived from the original on February 28, 2026. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  23. ^ 【2月6日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. February 6, 2026. Archived from the original on February 28, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  24. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 22, 2026). "Chainsmoker Cat Anime Gets Uncut 'Evil Dragon Unleashed' Version". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  25. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (May 31, 2026). "Chainsmoker Cat TV Anime Reveals Main Trailer, Theme Song Artists, More Staff Members". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  26. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 18, 2026). "Ani-One Asia Licenses Chainsmoker Cat Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 18, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  27. ^ Netflix Anime [@netflixanime] (June 23, 2026). "When there's smoke, there's a chainsmoking cat. Delve into her uncensored life in Chainsmoker Cat, premiering July 2 on Netflix" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 25, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  28. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 27, 2026). "OceanVeil Streams Chainsmoker Cat Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  29. ^ a b c d "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime『Yani Neko』Kōshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ『ヤニねこ』公式サイト [Story | TV Anime『Chainsmoker Cat』Official Site]. yanineko-anime.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  30. ^ ヤニねこ(アニメ)のあらすじ一覧. The Television [ja] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  31. ^ 次にくるマンガ大賞2023、コミックス部門1位はむちまろ「生徒会にも穴はある！」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  32. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 31, 2023). "Seitokai ni mo Ana wa Aru!, Ki ni Natteru Hito ga Otoko Janakatta Win Next Manga Awards Print, Web Categories". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  33. ^ 「次にくるマンガ大賞 2024」1位に「カグラバチ」「ふつうの軽音部」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 28, 2024. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  34. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio; Cayanan, Joanna (December 13, 2023). "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2024 Rankings (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2024.