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In the midst of one-of-a-kind masterpieces like Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongoliaand action-packed webtoon adaptations like Tomb Raider King, the Summer 2026 season has also brought with it one of the most eccentric slice-of-life anime of perhaps the entire year. Every now and then, there comes an oddball anime sandwiched between popular releases, and this year it looks like Chainsmoker Cat is that series.
Only three episodes in, Netflix'sChainsmoker Cat is already drawing countless eyeballs, but the reception's a little mixed. And, coupled with another major Summer 2026 release, Chainsmoker Cat could be ushering in a new genre that's already dividing audiences.
Chainsmoker Cat Is Netflix's Weirdest Anime in Years
On July 3, 2026, Netflix welcomed what might just be its weirdest anime in years in Chainsmoker Cat, a brand-new series by Bibury Animation Studios adapted from the manga of the same name by NyanNyanFactory. Immediately, the series caught the eye of many through its gorgeous backgrounds, sharply juxtaposed against the anime's many shockingly disgusting visuals rendered with meticulous detail.
Set in a world where humans and humanoid beastfolk coexist, Chainsmoker Cat revolves around Yanineko, the titular cat girl with a smoking addiction. Yanineko is presented as the quintessential "girl failure" lazing around all day in her tiny apartment, which is perpetually in a state of disarray. Right off the bat, the series reels viewers in with pure shock value.
Instead of romanticizing Yanineko and her addiction, Chainsmoker Cat presents the raw, ugly reality of it all. It is genuinely surprising how unfiltered the series can be, whether that's in Yanineko's very realistic hacking cough, her violent need to use the toilet after a smoke, or the desperation that makes her pick up cigarettes that have fallen in dog poop. Moments such as these are enough to turn many away from the series, and exactly that happened at the time of its initial release, as many dubbed Chainsmoker Cat "too gross to watch."
Netflix and Crunchyroll Are Reviving Adult Slice of Life Anime
That said, at the same time, Chainsmoker Cat also has its relatable moments, which is why it's finding success among a very specific niche that's also enjoying Crunchyroll's new adult romance, Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You. Both Chainsmoker Cat and Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You are heavily centered around smoking, and both series will inevitably be criticised by some for glorifying the habit.
That said, beyond just the smoking, the real reason these two anime released at the same time are steadily finding their niche is that they cater to adult audiences, who are often overlooked. Josei and seinen anime adaptations aren't as frequent as one would like, which is why it is quite exciting when anime like Chainsmoker Cat and Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You do finally represent adulthood in anime, whether that's painting a grim, gritty picture like Chainsmoker Cat or a romanticized one like Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You. In this sense, the two anime do also balance each other out in a way.
All that said, Chainsmoker Cat isn't all dark and gross. Above all, the series is quite funny, with a truly absurd sense of humor. Besides Yanineko, the series also features quite a charming, quirky cast, whether that's the druggie neighbor Yakuneko or the raging gamer Hameneko, whose full name as of Episode #3 is officially Hameko Easygoing Anal Angel. Evidently, Chainsmoker Cat is not for the weak or the easily offended, but it sure is a hoot.
