The summer television anime phenomenon Yani Neko officially concluded its broadcast run with the premiere of Episode 12, titled "Nyā is Smoking Even in the Finale," wrapping up three months of delightfully scruffy, boundary-pushing episodes from Bibury Animation Studio. Based on the manga by Nyanyan Factory serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine, the series follows a roster of financially destitute, rule-flouting beast-people living in shared apartments and indulging in questionable habits.
Directed by Taku Kimura with scripts by Takashi Aoshima, the anime adaptation brought undeniable energy to the screen, driven by standout voice performances from Yuko Natsuyoshi as the heavy-smoking title character, Misato Matsuoka as the baseball-swinging junior Yani-neko, and Tetsu Inada as the beleaguered apartment landlord. True to its reputation as one of the most unpredictable dark comedies of recent seasons, the finale delivered rapid-fire gags, meta-references to classic mecha animation, and unexpected emotional heart among its chaotic ensemble.
The Finale Chaos and Cast Farewells
Episode 12 brought together every major resident of the run-down apartment complex for a series of escalating misadventures, culminating in an epic roof-jumping clash between the title feline and the apartment manager—complete with a live-streaming broadcast by Hame-neco and a surprise shout-out reference to Turn A Gundam requested by original creator Osatou.
Following the broadcast, the creative team and voice cast shared heartfelt reflections online. Director Taku Kimura expressed gratitude to the staff and fans, noting that plenty of unadapted source material remains in the manga. Main cast members also took to social media to bid farewell to their roles, highlighting the unique challenges and camaraderie built during recording sessions.
Blu-ray and Mini-Anime Announcements
To celebrate the conclusion, the production committee dropped a special surprise: an all-cast ensemble version of the opening theme titled "Nanmone ~Resident Chorus Ver.~" featuring vocals from the entire main apartment roster. Furthermore, home video plans were finalized with the announcement of a complete Blu-ray box set containing all 12 episodes alongside special bonus features.
While fans mourn the end of the weekly broadcast, the chibi spin-off series continues to stream short vignettes, ensuring that the distinctly scruffy humor of the franchise stays alive as viewers look forward to potential future developments.
