The anime adaptation of Yani Neko has sparked a new wave of excitement with a collaboration gravure in Young Magazine issue 34. Featuring cosplayer Shinozaki Kokoro as the titular Yani-ko and voice actor Inada Tetsu as the landlord, the spread has fans buzzing with reactions like “This is amazing!” and “Real ecchi neko-chan!”
What is Yani Neko?
Yani Neko is a manga by Nyan Nyan Factory serialized in Kodansha’s Young Magazine. It follows a group of detestable yet oddly endearing cat-beings (beastmen) living a smoke-filled, lazy life. With no money, no life skills, and no manners, these “yani neko” (tar-stained cats) spend their days smoking, lounging, and getting into trouble. Despite their grimy existence, they somehow find fulfillment. The manga went viral on social media and is now airing as a TV anime since July 2026.
The Gravure Spread
The collaboration gravure in Young Magazine 34 brings Yani-ko and the landlord to life. Shinozaki Kokoro portrays Yani-ko, recreating scenes from volume 1 and capturing the character’s voluptuous figure, described in the series as “ecchi neko-chan.” The official Young Magazine editorial X account shared a preview, and Shinozaki’s own X account also posted individual shots with the message: “I want you to get the magazine and see for yourself what this unusual gravure of Yani-ko and the landlord is like!”
Fan comments include: “This Yani-ko looks like she would smell good,” “It’s like a photo-quality illustration… wait, what?” “Kokoro-chan’s cat-like gaze perfectly matches Yani-ko’s character, it feels real, not just a collaboration,” “I can only see the real ecchi neko-chan’s chest!” “Yani-chan is too big,” and “I found this while working, but it’s perfect, really good.”
Additionally, gravure photos not included in the magazine are being released on the “Yanmaga Azasu” site, so be sure to check them out.
The Landlord: Voice Actor Inada Tetsu in Person
Particularly drawing attention is the gravure of the landlord. Portrayed by none other than Inada Tetsu, the voice actor who voices the landlord in the anime. Inada posted behind-the-scenes shots and stories on his X account, revealing that his costume was his own. “By the way, the clothes in the Yanmaga gravure are my own! They said, ‘Let’s go with your own clothes since they look worn-in.’ I also received the prepared costume, so now I have two landlord sets at home. I wore clothes that looked like they belonged to the landlord, and they were almost the same as what the stylist prepared.”
Fans were stunned by the sight of the actual voice actor cosplaying (?) in a gravure. Reactions include: “It’s just him!” “I laughed at the landlord himself showing up,” “Bringing the real thing is against the rules,” “The landlord being the voice actor himself is hilarious,” “Don’t actually bring the real one WWWWWWWWWWWWW,” “Inada-san’s accuracy is high (deadpan),” “I thought it was the real person, and it was the real person (the voice actor),” and “The landlord looks just like Inada Tetsu.”
Release Information
Young Magazine issue 34, featuring the real Yani-ko and landlord, has been on sale since July 21. The anime Yani Neko is currently airing on TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X since July 2, 2026.
(C) Nyan Nyan Factory・Kodansha / Yani Neko Production Committee
