Yani Neko Anime Starts in July: New Voice Cast and Release Date Announced

Hold on tight, anime fans, because one of the most "smoky" and absurd stories to hit the screens is on its way! Nyan Nyan Factory's popular manga Yani Neko (Chainsmoker Cat) is counting down the days until it hits television screens. According to the official announcement, the series will meet viewers on July 2, 2026, on TOKYO MX and BS11 channels. The new key visual shared with the announcement once again showcases our characters' famous back-alley atmosphere and their unique personalities.

The voice cast is also getting stronger by the day. Yaniko Sato (Yanineko), voiced by Yuko Natsuyoshi in the lead role, will be joined by newly announced names. Misato Matsuoka will voice Yaku Neko, who sees Yanineko as her "senpai," while Shiori Izawa will bring to life the character Al Neko, who spends her days under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, we will hear veteran actor Tetsu Inada in the role of the Landlord, who manages the apartment complex, and Riko Akechi as Tatsuro Ochinpo, the manga artist who is the only human resident.

So, what is the deal with Yani Neko? The series takes place in a modern Japan where humans and beastmen live together. However, there are no fluffy and cute cats here like we are used to. Our main protagonist Yaniko is a "disaster" cat girl who has a heavy smoking addiction, struggles to pay her rent, and is constantly getting fired from her jobs. Created by the Nyan Nyan Factory collective and serialized in Weekly Young Magazine since 2023, the manga blends this chaotic lifestyle with absurd humor. The series has become so popular that it even managed to rank 13th on the 2024 Next Manga Award list.

There is a very experienced team behind the scenes of the anime. The project, undertaken by Bibury Animation Studios (The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie), is directed by Taku Kimura. The screenplay is written by Takashi Aoshima, while the character designs are entrusted to Riki Matsuura. If you are tired of classic slice-of-life stories and are looking for something a bit more "gritty," realistic, yet equally funny, we recommend you don't miss this smoky adventure starting in July!