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Yani Neko
Yani Neko finished its TV broadcast, and its cast-sung chorus version of the opening theme passed 10 million YouTube views on October 8, 2026. The anime aired on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X in two versions: the On Air Version and the Evil Dragon Release Version.
Synthesized from 12
Yomimono stories · updated
3d ago
Yani Neko is a TV anime adaptation of Nyan Nyan Factory's manga about a chain-smoking slacker cat in a world where humans and beastmen coexist. The main promotional video arrived on May 31, 2026, introducing Yani Neko and supporting characters Yaku Neko, Hame Neko, Kansai Neko, and Aru Neko, and naming the opening theme "Nan mo Nee" by Wasureranneyo and the ending theme "Kemuri to Blue" by Necry Talkie. The series premiered on July 2, 2026, on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X, animated by Vibely Animation Studio with Taku Kimura directing.
The broadcast used an unusual two-version release: a terrestrial On Air Version and an Evil Dragon Release Version that follows the original direction, with the latter airing on AT-X and select streaming services. Before that, from August 13, ABEMA ran a free marathon of the first six episodes, and Niconico hosted a free retrospective screening of the same episodes along with a Top 5 Most Commented Scenes list led by Imoko nursing a sick Yani Neko in episode 1. Manga reprints followed demand from the anime, with Kodansha reprinting all existing volumes of the Chainsmoker Cat manga after sellouts at bookstores.
The opening theme's music video, released on August 13, featured voice actors Yuko Natsuyoshi and Tetsu Inada, director Taku Kimura, and Nyan Nyan Factory, plus cameos from the Kaiji series. A cast-sung alternate version of the opening theme, "Nanmo Nee ~Residents' Grand Chorus ver.~" by the Yani Neko All Stars, was released on September 25 to mark the final episode. The official X account announced on October 8 that its music video passed 10 million views on YouTube, just under two weeks after release, with more than 10,000 comments.
Key facts
- Original manga creator
- Nyan Nyan Factory ↗
- Animation studio
- Vibely Animation Studio ↗
- Premiere date and broadcast channels
- July 2, 2026 on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X ↗
- Opening theme
- "Nan mo Nee" by Wasureranneyo ↗
- Ending theme
- "Kemuri to Blue" by Necry Talkie ↗
- Two-version release
- On Air Version and Evil Dragon Release Version, the latter on AT-X and select streaming services ↗
- Cast chorus MV views
- More than 10 million YouTube views by October 8, 2026, after release on September 25 ↗
- Support illustrations
- Episodes 7 and 8 art drawn by Shinsuke Kondo and Kei Keizan ↗
- Manga reprints
- Kodansha is reprinting all existing volumes of the Chainsmoker Cat manga after anime-driven sellouts ↗
Timeline
- Oct 9, 2026 Wasurenrannee Yo Joins THE FIRST TAKE With I Love Iu
- Oct 8, 2026 Yani Neko Cast Chorus MV Hits 10 Million YouTube Views in Under Two Weeks
- Sep 19, 2026 Atashin'chi NEXT Gets New Episodes With Taku Kimura Directing
- Aug 21, 2026 Yani Neko Support Art by Shinsuke Kondo and Kei Keizan Draws Fan Buzz
- Aug 19, 2026 Chainsmoker Cat Manga Volumes Get Reprints After Anime Demand
- Aug 18, 2026 Yani Neko OP Music Video Draws Praise for Its Guest Cast
- Aug 14, 2026 Yani Neko Opening Theme MV Drops With Kaiji Faces in a Familiar Underground Set
- Aug 12, 2026 Yani Neko Episodes 1-6 Get Free ABEMA Marathon Broadcast
- Aug 8, 2026 Yani Neko Retrospective Screening and Top 5 Commented Scenes Announced
- Jun 23, 2026 Yani Neko Gets Evil Dragon Liberation Version on AT-X and Streaming
- Jun 23, 2026 Yani Neko Anime to Air Two Versions Including Evil Dragon Release Cut
- May 31, 2026 Yani Neko Main PV Reveals Opening and Ending Theme Songs
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Release
- music_video · 2025-09-25 · 2026-10-08
- Release
- manga · after Aug 19, 2026 · 2026-08-19
- Release
- music_video · 2026-08-18 · 2026-08-18
- Release
- tv · July 2026 · Japan · 2026-08-12
- Release
- tv · 2026-07-02 · Japan · 2026-06-23
- Release
- tv · 2026-07-02 · JP · 2026-05-31
- Noted
- Support illustrations for episodes 7 and 8 were released · 2026-08-21
- Noted
- The Top 5 Most Commented Scenes, based on comments for episodes 1-3, was also released. · 2026-08-08
- Noted
- The first episode has surpassed 600,000 views on Niconico. · 2026-08-08
- Announced
- free retrospective screening of episodes 1-6 on Niconico Live Broadcast on August 13 at 10:00 PM · 2026-08-08
- Announced
- Some episodes will have two versions: the terrestrial On Air Version and the Evil Dragon Release Version, which follows the original direction. · 2026-06-23
- Announced
- Reprints of manga volumes 1-11 with cast comments on the obi strips have also been announced. · 2026-06-23
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/yani-neko.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about Yani Neko was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed tv 2026-07-02 JP Sep 28 · source
- Disputed tv 2026-07-02 JP Sep 24 · source
- Confirmed tv 2026-07-02 JP May 31 · source
All coverage
3d ago
Rock band Wasurenranne yo will perform 'Nanmo nee', the opening theme of the TV anime 'Yani Neko', in a one-take video on THE FIRST TAKE. The video premieres October 21 at 22:00. The band appears with a support lineup two weeks after its 'I Love You' one-take. 'Nanmo nee', written by Takahiro Shibata, ran with the anime from July to September, and its music video passed 10 million YouTube views in under two months.
Oct 9
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.
Oct 8
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.
Sep 19
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.
Aug 21
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.
Aug 19
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.
Aug 18
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.
Aug 14
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.
Aug 12
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.
Aug 8
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.
Jun 23
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.
Jun 23
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.
May 31
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.