The TV anime "Yanineko" (ヤニねこ), which premiered in July and is based on the manga of the same name, has been grabbing serious attention. It portrays the lives of smokers and their addiction in an incredibly realistic and gritty way, and its first three episodes have already garnered significant buzz.
Yesterday, the official X account dropped some hilarious collab news: "Yanineko" is teaming up with Odakyu Bus in Tokyo's Kichijoji area to launch a special themed bus that'll be cruising the streets! As soon as the announcement hit, fans were quick to joke, "Can we smoke on it?" and "Are these cats really the right mascots for this kind of promo?" Naturally, it became a hot topic.
The official promo is just as wild, declaring that the "Yanineko" characters are about to take over Kichijoji!
Due to some "adult reasons," the illustrations on the themed bus have been layered with various designs, creating a rather unique effect. It's expected to run daily in the Kichijoji area... probably.
This bus collab is mainly to promote the anime's broadcast. You can spot character designs covering almost the entire exterior of the bus, lined up as if they're all riding public transport together.
So, what exactly are these "adult reasons"? Just take a look at these images, and you'll definitely get the difference! All the cigarettes are covered up...
What's even funnier is the special sign on the bus exterior declaring, "No Smoking on the Bus, Meow!" Netizens are totally roasting it, saying it's a total lie and they'll definitely be lighting up inside. "They won't last a minute after getting on, meow!"
Other users are jokingly calling it completely unconvincing. "How could a Yanineko ever say something like that? Liars!"
Some netizens even suggested they should team up with gas-related industries next... right?
While this collaboration has sparked a ton of jokes, it also shows just how much buzz "Yanineko" has generated since its premiere, quickly leading to local partnerships like this. Maybe... one day it'll even get a chance to promote anti-smoking or anti-drug campaigns!