Regional anime distributor Medialink Entertainment has pulled the summer comedy anime Chainsmoker Cat (Yanineko) from its Ani-One Asia streaming platform across Southeast Asia. The sudden removal follows formal notices citing compliance with local government regulations regarding tobacco promotion.
The regulatory domino effect began when Taiwanese platform Bahamut Animation Crazy suspended streaming for Hong Kong users after receiving official correspondence from Hong Kong's Department of Health. Authorities noted that the show's explicit depiction of real-world tobacco branding—specifically Japan's prominent Mevius cigarette line—violates the region's Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance prohibiting online tobacco advertising. Lo Su-ying of Taiwan's Health Promotion Administration similarly warned that portraying identifiable tobacco products risks breaching Taiwan's Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.
Broadcast Delays and Uncensored Cuts
Amid the overseas distribution crackdowns, the production team announced via their official X account that Episode 9 will be delayed, returning to Japanese television airwaves on September 2. A special voice cast broadcast will occupy the standard timeslot in the interim. While the production team has not explicitly linked the delay to overseas regulatory pressure, the move coincides directly with the sweeping removal from international catalog offerings.
Adapted from the Nyan Nyan Factory manga serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine, the series follows the chaotic life of an unrepentant nicotine-addicted catgirl. Directed by Taku Kimura at Bibury Animation Studio with scripts by Takashi Aoshima, the production is currently distributed in two distinct edits in Japan: a standard television "On-Air" version and an uncut "Evil Dragon Unleashed" cut offered on premium networks like AT-X and streaming service OceanVeil.
