Nyaight of the Living Cat

Nyaight of the Living Cat

Characters

Kunagi

MAIN

Kaoru

SUPPORTING

Grandma

SUPPORTING

Arata

SUPPORTING

Gunslinger

SUPPORTING

Len

SUPPORTING

Keisuke

SUPPORTING

Masaki

SUPPORTING

Suou

SUPPORTING

Gaku

SUPPORTING

Mitsuru

SUPPORTING

Tanishi

SUPPORTING

Honyaku-ki

SUPPORTING

Tsutsumi

SUPPORTING

Kouji

SUPPORTING

Narrator

BACKGROUND

Nyaight of the Living Cat: Season 1 – A Purr-fectly Unhinged Horror-Comedy That Redefines the Apocalypse

In a world saturated with zombie apocalypse tales, Nyaight of the Living Cat (premiering July 6, 2025, on Crunchyroll) claws its way to the top with a premise so absurdly brilliant it feels like a fever dream conjured by a catnip-crazed feline. This 12-episode anime, adapted from the manga by Hawkman and Mecha-Roots, directed by Tomohiro Kamitani with Takashi Miike as chief director, isn’t just another genre parody—it’s a cultural phenomenon that blends horror, comedy, and existential dread with an irresistible love for cats. Season 1, particularly through its first four episodes, delivers a masterclass in balancing absurdity with emotional depth, making it one of the most unique and captivating anime of 2025.

A Meow-pocalypse Like No Other

Set in the near-futuristic “20XX,” Nyaight of the Living Cat introduces the “Nyandemic,” a global catastrophe where a mysterious virus transforms humans into cats upon physical contact with the infected felines. Unlike the groaning undead of traditional zombie stories, these adorable, purring creatures are the ultimate paradox: too cute to resist, yet deadly to embrace. The show’s genius lies in its ability to turn humanity’s obsession with cats—90% of people in this world own one, per the narrative—into a psychological battle of willpower. Survivors, led by the amnesiac cat enthusiast Kunagi (voiced by Masaaki Mizunaka) and high schooler Kaoru (Reina Ueda), must navigate a world where every kitten is a potential death sentence.

The premise could easily have been a one-note gag, but Nyaight elevates it into a layered satire. It’s Night of the Living Dead meets Chi’s Sweet Home, with nods to horror classics like The Thing and Alien woven into its fabric. The show doesn’t just parody zombie tropes—it reinvents them. Water repels cats, catnip serves as bait, and allergies become a survival radar. These rules, grounded in cat behavior, create a fresh mythology that feels both hilarious and eerily plausible. The stakes are high: one touch, and you’re a cat, joining the ever-growing feline horde.

Kaoru: The Heart of the Cat-astrophe

While Kunagi’s struggle to resist petting cats drives much of the narrative, Kaoru emerges as the emotional anchor of Nyaight of the Living Cat Season 1. As a stern, pragmatic high school girl who once worked alongside Kunagi at a cat café, Kaoru (voiced with steely resolve by Reina Ueda) embodies the conflict between love and survival. Her no-nonsense attitude contrasts with the burly, cat-obsessed men around her, including Tanishi (Hiroki Yasumoto) and Gaku, who often succumb to the temptation of a kitten’s toe beans. Kaoru’s role as the voice of reason, constantly reminding Kunagi that “this isn’t a world where we can pet cats anymore,” grounds the absurdity in relatable human emotion.

Her character shines in quieter moments, particularly in flashbacks to the pre-Nyandemic cat café, where her bond with Kunagi and her brother Gaku reveals a softer side. These scenes, interspersed across episodes 1-4, add depth to her resolve, showing her as someone who loved cats but now bears the burden of keeping others alive. Kaoru’s dynamic with Kunagi—part exasperated babysitter, part loyal friend—makes her the unsung hero of the series, a standout in a cast of quirky survivors.

A Visual and Sonic Cat-aclysm

Visually, Nyaight is a mixed bag that somehow works. Studio OLM’s animation, while not as polished as heavyweights like Demon Slayer, leans into the campy chaos with a blend of hand-drawn and CGI cats. The CGI, though occasionally jarring, enhances the eerie otherworldliness of the feline horde, especially in scenes where cats swarm like a tidal wave of fluff. The art style, inspired by Mecha-Roots’ manga, channels a late-2010s nostalgia with vibrant color shifts—think Kunagi’s “jazzy blue” despair moments reminiscent of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. These stylistic choices amplify the show’s unhinged energy.

The soundtrack is a revelation. Kōji Endō’s score, featuring death growls by Heidi Shepherd and guitar riffs by Marty Friedman, is gloriously over-the-top, perfectly matching the show’s tonal tightrope walk between horror and hilarity. The opening theme, “Cat City” by The Yellow Monkey, is an epic banger that feels like it belongs in a post-apocalyptic blockbuster, while WANIMA’s “Matatabi” ending theme adds a rock-hard edge. The insert song, “Nyaight of the Living Cat,” performed by Endō with Friedman and Shepherd, is a love letter to the genre’s absurdity, played straight with a wink.

Horror, Humor, and Heart

What sets Nyaight apart is its refusal to lean solely on its gimmick. The first four episodes, screened at events like Anime Expo 2025 and Fantasia International Film Festival, establish a narrative arc that balances action, comedy, and surprising emotional heft. Episode 1 dives headfirst into the Nyandemic’s chaos, with a tense warehouse chase that flips horror tropes into laugh-out-loud moments (a cat pawing at a door becomes a scream-worthy threat). Episode 2 slows down to explore the cat café’s pre-apocalypse days, fleshing out Kunagi’s amnesia and his encyclopedic cat knowledge, which becomes both a blessing and a curse.

By episodes 3 and 4, the show introduces new survivors like Tsutsumi, a cat-allergic optimist whose chipper attitude adds a layer of tragic irony. The series doesn’t shy away from the zombie genre’s darker beats—characters make fatal mistakes, and the military’s incompetence is a running gag—but it never feels nihilistic. Instead, it finds heart in the survivors’ love for cats, even as they fight to resist them. The post-credits cat facts, delivered with deadpan seriousness, are a delightful cherry on top, educating viewers on feline quirks while reinforcing the show’s playful tone.

Does the Joke Hold Up?

Critics have raised concerns about whether Nyaight’s premise can sustain a full season. Some reviews, like those from Anime News Network, suggest the concept might work better as a short film or OVA, fearing the gag could wear thin. Yet, the first four episodes prove otherwise. The show’s self-awareness, coupled with its mystery elements—particularly Kunagi’s amnesia and hints of a deeper cause behind the Nyandemic—keeps the narrative engaging. Takashi Miike’s campy influence ensures the series never takes itself too seriously, yet it respects its audience enough to build a cohesive world.

The only notable flaw is the uneven animation, particularly the jarring transitions between 2D and CGI. While this doesn’t derail the experience, it’s a reminder that Nyaight isn’t aiming for visual perfection but rather chaotic charm. The voice acting, however, is a consistent highlight, with Mizunaka’s stoic Kunagi and Ueda’s exasperated Kaoru stealing the show.

Why Nyaight of the Living Cat Is a Must-Watch

Nyaight of the Living Cat Season 1 is a love letter to horror fans, cat lovers, and anyone who appreciates a bold swing. It’s not trying to reinvent anime or push technical boundaries, but it doesn’t need to. Its strength lies in its fearless commitment to its premise, delivering a world where the apocalypse is both adorable and terrifying. Kaoru’s pragmatic heroism, Kunagi’s existential struggle, and the relentless cuteness of the feline horde make this a show that’s impossible to look away from.

For cat owners, it’s a hilarious reflection of the irresistible pull of a purring kitten. For horror enthusiasts, it’s a clever satire packed with Easter eggs. For everyone else, it’s a wild ride that proves anime can still surprise. As one Reddit user put it, “This is the anime for me. I hope they keep this level of quality up for the entire season.” With its blend of heart, humor, and horror, Nyaight of the Living Cat is poised to be 2025’s most memeable, quotable, and downright delightful anime. Stream it on Crunchyroll, but beware: you might never look at a cat the same way again.

Rating: 8.5/10 Toe Beans

Sources: IGN, Anime News Network, Reddit, Crunchyroll, Fantasia International Film Festival reviews