More than a month after its first season concluded, Chainsmoker Cat (Yani Neko) is still waiting for an official Season 2 renewal. Although the anime attracted considerable online attention and boosted demand for the original manga, its performance on Netflix’s global rankings has been less impressive.
The contrasting developments leave the future of the adaptation uncertain. However, the manga’s reported sales surge and the substantial amount of unadapted material give the production another reason to consider continuing the series.
Chainsmoker Cat Season 2 Renewal Status Remains Unconfirmed
As of November 4, 2026, neither Netflix nor Bibury Animation Studios has announced a second season. The studio has also not shared any production updates regarding a potential continuation.
One encouraging development is the response from Kodansha, the manga’s publisher. Following the anime’s release, the publisher reported that demand for the original manga had increased significantly, leaving bookstores struggling to maintain stock.
In an August 18 announcement reported by MANGA Watch, Kodansha confirmed that it had decided to reprint every available volume following the anime’s success.
The publisher’s editorial team expressed its appreciation, stating:
“The Yani Neko anime has received an incredible response, and stocks of the original manga are running low!”
Kodansha also thanked readers and viewers for embracing the series and supporting NyanNyanFactory’s work. The decision to reprint the entire manga collection provides a tangible indication that the anime has introduced the franchise to additional readers.
Chainsmoker Cat Misses Netflix Global Top 10 but Charts in 14 Countries
Despite the increased manga demand, Chainsmoker Cat did not enter Netflix’s Global Top 10 during its first season. Consequently, there are no publicly available global viewing-hour figures from Netflix’s weekly rankings to establish its total streaming audience.
However, the anime did appear in the Top 10 rankings of 14 individual countries, suggesting that its performance varied across international markets.
The series achieved its strongest positions in Japan and Hong Kong, reaching third place in both markets. It also ranked fifth in Estonia and Taiwan, sixth in Lithuania and Vietnam, and eighth in South Korea.
The anime additionally entered the Top 10 in Bulgaria, Indonesia, Latvia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Japan’s viewing figures may also be more complicated than Netflix’s rankings suggest. The anime aired through multiple television broadcasters, including Tokyo MX, BS11 and AT-X, alongside its streaming distribution. BS11 aired a censored version, while AT-X offered an uncensored broadcast.
As a result, Netflix’s rankings alone cannot provide a complete picture of the anime’s Japanese audience. Its regional chart appearances and manga sales offer additional indicators of the series’ reception.
Chainsmoker Cat Has Over 270 Manga Chapters Available for Season 2
Another encouraging factor for a potential second season is the amount of source material remaining.
The first season adapted approximately 146 chapters from NyanNyanFactory’s ongoing Yani Neko manga. With 419 chapters published at the time of the report, the anime has covered approximately 34.84% of the available material.
That leaves roughly 273 chapters that have yet to receive an anime adaptation. The series also rearranges certain manga chapters rather than following their original publication order, meaning the remaining material does not necessarily translate into a straightforward continuation.
Nevertheless, the available chapters provide Bibury Animation Studios with considerable material to develop another season without immediately running into source-material limitations.
When Could Chainsmoker Cat Season 2 Be Announced?
Fans may have to wait until 2027 for a clearer indication of the anime’s future. The official Chainsmoker Cat Blu-ray BOX is scheduled for release on February 24, 2027, with reservations opening November 6, 2026.
Although physical disc sales are no longer the only major consideration for anime renewals, they can still contribute to a production’s commercial performance. Manga demand, regional streaming performance, merchandise opportunities, and other revenue sources may also influence the production committee’s decision.
For now, Chainsmoker Cat Season 2 remains unconfirmed. Its absence from Netflix’s Global Top 10 is a potential concern, but Kodansha’s manga reprints and the substantial amount of unadapted material give the franchise other encouraging signs as fans await an official announcement.
