Ani-One Asia | GameTrader.SG

Hong Kong health regulators have dealt anime fans a curveball this week. Chainsmoker Cat, the Summer 2026 dark comedy about chain-smoking anthropomorphic cat-girls, has been pulled from Animation Crazy (HK) and removed from Ani-One Asia’s YouTube presence in the region — not by the show’s producers, but on orders from the Hong Kong Department of Health.

What Actually Happened

On 19 August, Animation Crazy (HK) — the Hong Kong branch of Taiwanese streaming platform Bahamut — announced on Facebook that it had received an official letter from the Hong Kong Department of Health. The letter cited the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, Sections 13B and 14, classifying the anime’s continued streaming as the “online dissemination of advertisements for smoking products.”

The platform promptly suspended the series and advised affected subscribers to apply for refunds. Under the Ordinance, violations carry a maximum fine of 50,000 HKD (approximately SGD 8,500) plus an additional 1,500 HKD per day for any continuing offence.

Ani-One Asia’s Hong Kong YouTube channel has also stopped streaming the series, despite Hong Kong being listed among its licensed territories when the show launched in July.

Animation Crazy Taiwan showing Chainsmoker Cat search results with 948,000 views — Image courtesy of Animation Crazy / Bahamut (Taiwan)

Animation Crazy HK showing no animation found when searching for Chainsmoker Cat — Image courtesy of Animation Crazy / Bahamut (Hong Kong)

Singapore and SEA Fans Are Unaffected — For Now

The suspension is specific to Hong Kong and does not extend to other Ani-One Asia territories. Singapore fans can still access Chainsmoker Cat through Ani-One Asia and on Netflix, where the series remains available.

It is worth noting that Singapore has its own Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, which prohibits tobacco product advertising. There has been no regulatory action taken here against the series, and given that the show is widely understood as an unglamorous, cautionary portrayal of nicotine addiction rather than a promotional one, such action seems unlikely — but the Hong Kong case is a first of its kind for streaming anime in the region and a reminder of how differently regulators across Asia can interpret the same content.

Two Chainsmoker Cat characters sharing a cigarette in a scene from the anime — Image courtesy of Yani Neko Production Committee

About Chainsmoker Cat

Based on the manga of the same name by NyanNyanFactory — serialised in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine since February 2023 — Chainsmoker Cat follows anthropomorphic cat-girls living in a run-down apartment complex, several of them dependent on nicotine and other substances. The series blends dark humour with an unglamorous look at addiction.

The anime adaptation premiered on 2 July 2026, produced by Bibury Animation Studios under director Taku Kimura. Script duties fall to Takashi Aoshima, with character designs by Riki Matsuura and a score by Keiichi Suzuki. Yuko Natsuyoshi leads the voice cast as protagonist Yani. Seven Seas Entertainment holds the English manga licence for global print readers.

A green-haired Chainsmoker Cat character exhaling cigarette smoke on a balcony — Image courtesy of Yani Neko Production Committee

The Irony: Manga Sales Are Soaring

Despite the controversy — or arguably because of it — Chainsmoker Cat is doing very well commercially. Following the anime’s run, every volume of the source manga has been confirmed for a reprint to meet rising demand, as reported by Denfaminico Gamer. In Japan, the series was reportedly the subject of a recent BPO (Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization) session, with the committee ultimately finding its content within the bounds of permissible freedom of expression.

The Hong Kong ban is the most significant regulatory response the series has faced so far. With manga sales climbing and the anime still streaming on Netflix across the region, it seems unlikely to slow the franchise down. Singapore fans wanting to catch up can head to Netflix now.

For more anime and manga news, keep it here at GameTrader.SG.

Nine Years in the Making — A New Director Steps In

When Season 1 wrapped up in March 2017, followed by the theatrical film in February 2019, the story was clearly unfinished — the light novel series by Carlo Zen had volumes left to adapt. The announcement of Season 2 came in June 2021, but production took another five years to reach screens. The result is a 12-episode continuation produced again at Studio NUT, with Kenta Ihara returning for series composition and Yuji Hosogoe keeping the character designs consistent.

The most notable change is in the director’s chair: Takayuki Yukimoto takes over from Season 1’s Yutaka Uemura. Yukimoto’s appointment was announced at AnimeJapan 2026 alongside a new full trailer and cast reveals — the long development window apparently gave the new director room to push production values. The opening theme, “Why? RED induction” by MYTH & ROID (who also did Season 1’s “JINGO JUNGLE”), and the ending theme “Weiter! Weiter!” performed in-character by Tanya (Aoi Yuki) suggest the tone stays resolutely on-brand.

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 key visual — Tanya and the 203rd Mage Battalion

Image courtesy of Studio NUT / Kadokawa

Where the Story Picks Up

Season 2 begins in autumn of 1926, with Episode 1 titled “Salamander Combat Unit” — dropping viewers straight into the Empire’s deteriorating strategic position as total, global warfare spreads. The 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion under Tanya’s command remains the Empire’s sharpest tool, but the odds are multiplying. The mysterious entity Being X continues to manoeuvre events to force the spiritually defiant Tanya toward submission, making every battlefield victory feel like a step toward a larger trap.

Returning cast members include Aoi Yuki as Tanya von Degurechaff, Saori Hayami as Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov, Shinichiro Miki as Erich von Rerugen, Tessho Genda as Kurt von Rudersdorf, and Hochu Otsuka as Hans von Zettour. Season 2 also introduces two new characters — Mikehl and Liliâ — as the conflict expands beyond the Empire’s borders.

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 key visual #2 — Tanya with General Zettour and Rudersdorf

Image courtesy of Studio NUT / Kadokawa

How to Watch in Singapore

Singapore fans have two good options from tomorrow. Crunchyroll carries the series with a simulcast for most international regions including Southeast Asia, while Ani-One Asia provides the dedicated regional stream for SEA audiences. New episodes drop on Wednesdays following the Japanese broadcast. Both Disney+ and Prime Video are also expected to carry the series on a delayed basis later in the season.

If you need a refresher before Season 2, Season 1’s 12 episodes and the 2019 film are currently available on Crunchyroll. The film in particular bridges the gap between the series and where Season 2 picks up, so it’s worth a watch before Episode 1 drops. Check our full anime coverage for more summer 2026 premiere guides.

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Chainsmoker Cat Pulled From Hong Kong Streaming Over Smoking Laws