Chainsmoker Cat Anime Confirmed for July Premiere, Even the Creator Is Surprised as PV Reveals Yuko Natsuyoshi as Yanineko

The Chainsmoker Cat anime adaptation has been officially announced, with the television series set to premiere in July 2026. The anime will air on TOKYO MX and other networks, marking a surprising development even for the original creator. Depending on the region, depictions of smoking in anime are subject to regulations, making it a point of interest how and where this series will be distributed outside Japan.

The manga Chainsmoker Cat will be adapted into a TV anime beginning in July 2026. Voice actress Yuko Natsuyoshi has been cast as the titular character Yanineko, and a teaser visual along with the first promotional video has been released.

Teaser Visual and PV Highlights

The newly revealed visual depicts Yanineko smoking on the balcony of their room. The promotional video opens with a montage of panel images taken directly from the original manga, before cutting to animated footage of a cigarette being crushed. The PV then showcases Yanineko smoking on the balcony, as well as scenes of the character lazily drifting through daily life. At the end of the video, viewers can also hear Yanineko’s line, “Umee nya. (That hit the spot.)”

The final moments of the PV reveal the main staff. The anime is produced by Bibury Animation Studios, with Taku Kimura serving as director. The series composition is handled by Takashi Aoshima, character designs are by Riki Matsuura, and the music is composed by Keichi Suzuki.

PV

About Chainsmoker Cat

The series is currently serialized in Young Magazine and tells the story of a cat who spends their days smoking. Yanineko is a thoroughly degenerate beastman who loves cigarettes above all else. Lacking both ethics and a sense of cleanliness, the character casually does things that should never be done, such as throwing cigarette butts out the window or spitting on people. Surrounded by an overly caring younger sister cat and a friend known as Yaku Cat, Yanineko continues to puff away day after day in a story filled with the karma of simply living while smoking.

Comment from Yuko Natsuyoshi, Voice of Yanineko

ーーWhat do you find appealing about this work?
The daily life of a heavy smoker being translated into a cat is strangely fascinating. There are plenty of deep, relatable jokes that only smokers would recognize, and they appear so naturally that it makes the manga very fun to read.

ーーWhat is your impression of the character?
Yanineko is truly filthy, yet somehow still cute, which I find mysterious. The character casually crosses lines that no human should, so it is so awful that it becomes funny. But maybe it is acceptable because it is a cat.

Comment from Original Creator NyanNyanFactory

When I was approached about adapting the manga I had drawn freely in Young Magazine, my first reaction was disbelief, wondering if it was even possible. When the scripts and character designs arrived, I was surprised to see that it was being adapted exactly as it was. Along with that joy, I felt the resolve of the anime staff. The artwork I have already seen, as well as the opening and ending songs, are all extremely high quality, and I am deeply moved. I am looking forward to watching the Chainsmoker Cat anime on public television as just another viewer.

Source : ORICON NEWS