Ani-One Asia has removed the TV anime adaptation of Nyan Nyan Factory’s Chainsmoker Cat manga from its streaming lineup, adding another complication to the show’s overseas run.
According to Anime News Network, Medialink Entertainment’s Ani-One Asia posted a notice on Thursday saying the removal was made to “comply with local government regulations in relevant markets.” Medialink is based in Hong Kong, but the anime was taken down across every region where Ani-One Asia had it available, including regions in Southeast Asia.
The move comes after Taiwanese platform Bahamut Animation Crazy stopped streaming the anime in Hong Kong on Monday. That happened after Hong Kong’s Department of Health reportedly sent the service a letter saying the show’s content violated Hong Kong’s Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, which bans smoking product advertisements on the internet.
Taiwan may also have concerns around the series. Lo Su-ying, head of the Tobacco Control Division under Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration, has said images from the anime might breach Taiwan’s Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. That law bans tobacco promotion across television, movies, recordings, the internet, and other channels.
The issue is not exactly subtle: Chainsmoker Cat prominently shows real-life cigarette brands, especially the Japanese cigarette brand Mevius.
Episode 9 is also delayed in Japan
Separately, the anime’s official X account announced that episode 9 will now air on September 2 in Japan. Instead of the new episode, a special program featuring cast members will run next week.
Important note: the announcement did not say whether the delay is connected to the recent removals by overseas streaming services. So for now, that link is not confirmed.
What is Chainsmoker Cat?
Chainsmoker Cat, also known as Yanineko, is a comedy series set in a world where humans, catgirls, and similar species live together. The story follows Yani, a catgirl with a heavy smoking habit whose apartment is full of ash, cigarette butts, and general mess. The manga also features gross-out humour, toilet jokes, and characters regularly consuming drugs or alcohol.
Seven Seas is releasing the manga in English. Kodansha published the 13th Japanese compiled volume on August 6, while Seven Seas released the third English volume on June 16.
The anime premiered in Japan on July 2 at 24:30, effectively July 3 at 12:30 a.m., on Tokyo MX and BS11. It later began airing on AT-X on July 25. OceanVeil is also streaming the anime as it airs.
There are two versions of the anime: an “Evil Dragon Unleashed” version, which is described as respecting the work’s directorial intent for some episodes, and an “On-Air” version made for terrestrial TV broadcast. In Japan, the “Evil Dragon Unleashed” cut is available through services including AT-X, AnimeFesta, DMM TV, Fuji TV On Demand, Hulu, Netflix, and Anime Times, while 16 other platforms only carry the “On-Air” version.
Why this matters for Malaysia and SEA readers
Analysis: This is a useful reminder that regional anime streaming is not just about licensing rights. Content rules can also shape what SEA viewers are able to watch, especially when a show includes real-world products tied to regulated categories like tobacco.
For fans, the frustrating part is that a title can be available one week and gone the next because of compliance issues outside the usual anime hype cycle. For publishers and platforms, Chainsmoker Cat shows how edgy or adult-skewing comedy can become complicated when it crosses into markets with stricter rules around smoking imagery and tobacco promotion.