Yani Neko is airing on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X, with new episodes continuing after a free ABEMA marathon and a Niconico retrospective in August 2026. Support illustrations for episode 7 and 8, reprints of the Chainsmoker Cat manga, and a music video for the opening theme have drawn fan response.
Yani Neko, an anime based on Nyan Nyan Factory's manga about a chain-smoking slacker cat, premiered on July 2, 2026 on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X. The series airs in two versions: an On Air Version and an Evil Dragon Release Version that follows the original direction of the manga. The Evil Dragon Release Version airs on AT-X and select streaming services. The show is animated by Vibely Animation Studio and directed by Taku Kimura.
Ahead of the premiere, the main promotional video introduced supporting characters Yaku Neko, Hame Neko, Kansai Neko, and Aru Neko, and announced the opening theme "Nan mo Nee" by Wasureranneyo and the ending theme "Kemuri to Blue" by Necry Talkie. The opening theme music video released on August 13, featuring voice actors, the director, the original creator, and cameos from the Kaiji series.
Through August 2026, the anime's broadcast drew free viewing events: ABEMA ran a free marathon of episodes 1-6 starting August 13 at 10:00 a.m., and Dwango ran a free retrospective screening of episodes 1-6 on Niconico Live Broadcast on August 13 at 10:00 p.m. The first episode has passed 600,000 views on Niconico. A Top 5 Most Commented Scenes list, based on episodes 1-3, was released, led by Imoko nursing a sick Yani Neko in episode 1. Support illustrations for episodes 7 and 8 by Shinsuke Kondo and Kei Keizan drew fan response on X. Kodansha is reprinting all existing volumes of the Chainsmoker Cat manga after the anime drove sellouts at bookstores, with a first batch after Aug 19 and another next month.
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THE FIRST TAKE announced its 714th episode, with the rock band Wasurenrannee Yo making its appearance on the channel. The band will perform I Love Iu, a 2022 song that drew attention when Futsuu no Keionbu characters Hatochi and others sang it in episode 96, the joint live concert arc. The video premieres October 9 at 22:00. The band formed in 2008 and its only current member is vocalist and guitarist Takahiro Shibata.
The music video for "Nanmo Nee ~Residents' Grand Chorus ver.~" passed 10 million views on YouTube on October 8, according to the anime's official X account, which posted the milestone with a message of thanks. The video was released on September 25 to mark the broadcast of the final episode of the TV anime Yani Neko, putting the run at just under two weeks. The track is a special version of the anime's opening theme, sung by the main cast billed as the Yani Neko All Stars, including Yuko Natsuyoshi as Yani Neko and Toru Inada as the Landlord, with interjections and lines tied to the characters they played. At the time of writing the video has drawn more than 10,000 comments, among them jokes about aiming next for 33.01 million views. The official X account has also posted comment videos from cast members filmed right after recording, including Yuko Natsuyoshi on October 6 and Misato Matsuoka as Yaku Neko on October 7.
Shin-Ei Animation announced on September 19, 2026, that Atashin'chi NEXT will receive a new batch of episodes. The announcement came during the ABEMA Anime Festival 2026 Shin-Ei Animation 50th Anniversary Special Stage. Taku Kimura, who directed the television anime Yani Neko, takes over as director for the new episodes. A teaser video was released on the anime's official YouTube channel. The original cast returns. Kumiko Watanabe voices Mother, Fumiko Orikasa voices Mikan, Daisuke Sakaguchi voices Yuzuhiko, and Kenichi Ogata voices Father. Atashin'chi NEXT adapts stories from Eiko Kera's original manga that were not animated in previous adaptations. The first batch of five episodes streamed monthly from June to October 2024. A second batch of five episodes followed on November 20, December 20, January 20, February 20, and March 20. The manga commemorates its 30th anniversary. The series is based on Eiko Kera's manga about the Tachibana family.
Support illustrations for episodes 7 and 8 of the anime Yani Neko were released, drawn by manga artists Shinsuke Kondo and Kei Keizan. Fans on X reacted with jokes and delight, praising the crossover of styles. The comedy series, based on the manga by Nyan Nyan Factory, airs on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X.
Kodansha is reprinting all existing volumes of the Chainsmoker Cat manga after the anime adaptation drove sellouts at bookstores. The first batch arrives after Aug 19, with another next month. The editor thanked readers for embracing the series' characters, noting the decision to serialize it came three years ago.
The music video for Wasure Ran Nee Yo's "Nann mo Nee," the opening theme for the TV anime Yani Neko, has been released. It features a lavish guest lineup including voice actor Yuuko Natsuyuki, Tetsu Inada, director Takumi Kimura, and original creator Nyan Nyan Factory, drawing enthusiastic comments on X.
The music video for Wasurelanneyo's "Nannmonee," the opening theme of the TV anime Yani Neko, was released on August 13. It features voice actors Yuko Natsuyoshi and Tetsu Inada, director Taku Kimura, and original creator Nyan Nyan Factory, plus cameos from the Kaiji series.
ABEMA will air the first six episodes of the Yani Neko anime in a free marathon starting August 13 at 10:00 a.m. All episodes remain free to watch for one week after broadcast. The anime, based on Nyan Nyan Factory's manga about a chain-smoking slacker cat, began airing in July.
Dwango announced a free retrospective screening of Yani Neko episodes 1-6 on Niconico Live Broadcast on August 13 at 10:00 PM. The Top 5 Most Commented Scenes, based on comments for episodes 1-3, was also released. The list is led by Imoko nursing a sick Yani Neko in episode 1.
The TV anime Yani Neko will release an Evil Dragon Liberation Version on AT-X and select streaming services, alongside the On Air Version. The version respects the production intent of the original work by Nyan Nyan Factory. The series began airing on July 2, 2026.
The TV anime adaptation of Nyan Nyan Factory's manga Yani Neko will premiere on July 2, 2026, on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X. Some episodes will have two versions: the terrestrial On Air Version and the Evil Dragon Release Version, which follows the original direction. The Evil Dragon Release Version will air on AT-X and select streaming services. Reprints of manga volumes 1-11 with cast comments on the obi strips have also been announced.
The main promotional video for the TV anime adaptation of Nyan Nyan Factory's manga "Yani Neko" was released on May 31. The PV opens with a landlord humming while sweeping, only to have cigarette butts dropped by the protagonist Yani Neko rain down on his head. It also introduces supporting characters Yaku Neko, Hame Neko, Kansai Neko, and Aru Neko. The opening theme is "Nan mo Nee" by rock band Wasureranneyo, and the ending theme is "Kemuri to Blue" by Necry Talkie. Both bands provided comments. The anime is a comedy set in a world where humans and beastmen coexist, following the daily life of a heavy-smoking slacker beastman. It will begin airing on July 2 on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X. The animation studio is Vibely Animation Studio, with direction by Taku Kimura.