Japan's Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) is investigating the currently airing anime "Chainsmoker Cat" for its depiction of "illegal drug use." The show, known as "Yani Neko" in Japan and produced by Bibury Animation Studios, features a cat girl protagonist and has drawn attention for its adult-oriented themes, including drug use and nudity, which have largely remained uncensored in its adaptation of NyanNyanFactory's 2023 manga.
Concerns were raised by viewers who took issue with scenes that appeared to show drug use. Specifically, a scene in the second episode depicted the protagonist's friend, Yakuko, injecting herself with a needle. When confronted, Yakuko claimed it was a vaccine, though the context suggested otherwise. While the anime does not explicitly name the substance, the manga portrays Yakuko as a frequent drug user.
The BPO's youth committee discussed the anime during its 292nd meeting, referring to it anonymously as "a late-night weekday anime set in a society where humans and ‘beastmen’ (characters that personify cats) coexist." Although the BPO did not reach a definitive consensus, the committee member overseeing the discussion indicated that the scene in question might fall within acceptable limits of free expression, particularly given that the program airs late at night when children are less likely to be watching. Despite initial worries about censorship, the anime's retention of its source material's mature content has led to external scrutiny from regulatory bodies.