Anime Interview: Inside NYAIGHT OF THE LIVING CAT with its cast of survivors

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Crunchyroll’s latest unorthodox release, Nyaight of the Living Cat, puts a quirky spin on the post-apocalyptic genre. Instead of dodging bites, the heroes struggle to resist cuddling hordes of dangerously adorable cats.

The Beat sat down with veteran voice actors Jason Douglas (Chainsaw Man, Dragon Ball, The Walking Dead), Lew Temple (The Walking Dead), and rising talent Maria Delilah to talk about their experiences on the series.

ALAN KAWACHI: How has your experience been as voice actors?

MARIA DELILAH:  This is only my second time voice acting, and my first lead role in an anime. It’s been a dream come true. I’m cherishing every moment in the booth because you never know when you’ll get another chance. I feel thankful every day.

JASON DOUGLAS: This show is just plain fun. I do this work for a living, but I also do it because it fulfills me. Recently, I’ve worked on a lot of grim series like Attack on Titan. Nyaight of the Living Cat flips horror and post-apocalyptic themes into comedy, and I’ve loved diving into that.

LEW TEMPLE:  For me, it’s refreshing. On-camera, I usually direct myself and prepare everything alone. Here, Jeremy Inman directed me, and I really enjoyed that. He knows exactly what he wants, and I think he pulled better performances out of me than I could alone.

KAWACHI: I imagine that takes away a lot of stress on your end.

TEMPLE: Exactly. Jeremy knows what he needs, and he’s going to get it. I’m just here to provide.

KAWACHI: Jason, you mentioned this show feels like a breath of fresh air. Coming from projects like Chainsaw Man and Dragon Ball, what makes Nyaight of the Living Cat different from classic zombie tropes or even “cute but evil” creatures, like the rabbits in Night of the Lepus (1972)?

DOUGLAS:  What makes it different is the twist. It still fits within the post-apocalyptic, zombie-like world, but the “antagonists” are cute, fluffy cats. Instead of mindless monsters, they’re creatures our protagonists actually want to cuddle. It takes something ridiculous and turns it into something silly, hilarious, and fun all at once.

KAWACHI: Do you think fans will embrace such a sudden shift in tone?

DOUGLAS: I’m already hearing from fans who are enjoying it, so I hope it reaches an even wider audience. I think it’s unique and unusual, and for anime fans who watch a wide variety of series, this one stands apart.

DELILAH: I don’t think there’s ever been an anime quite like this. From what I’ve seen, fans really love it. Everyone’s on the edge of their seats because the stakes keep rising, things get crazier, sillier, and yet it’s still so fun.

KAWACHI: What drew you to your characters? Was it relatability, the chance to try something new, or something else?

DOUGLAS: Jeremy had been preparing this show for a long time. He specifically wanted some of us with horror experience—that’s why Lew and I are here. Paul Taylor, our narrator, is another great example. Fans might recognize him as one of the Cenobites from the Hellraiser series. Jeremy’s casting choices really give the show a strong backbone.

TEMPLE: Jeremy had great insight into the source material. He knew what he wanted and figured out that Zenishi and I could connect. Honestly, I think he chose me more than I chose the role. It was about fitting the right piece into the right place, and it just worked.

KAWACHI: So, it was sort of like destiny.

TEMPLE: Exactly.

KAWACHI: You and Jason both worked on The Walking Dead. How did that prepare you for this series?

DOUGLAS: Familiarity with the genre helps a lot. Plus, meeting fans at events gave us insight into the kind of audience drawn to horror and survival stories. Nyaight taps into those same themes but adds comedy. What’s fun is that the characters don’t realize they’re in a comedy. They play it straight, as if they’re genuinely trying to survive. Think of shows like The Mist or 28 Days Later—there’s still menace, but here it’s balanced with absurd humor.

TEMPLE: Survival really is the key word. In real life, survival is about handling everyday stresses like car payments or bills. But in this series, it’s about navigating life together while avoiding the temptation of these cats. It’s survival mixed with joy and comedy. Every time I step in the booth, I’m reminded that my character, with his mohawk, 12-pack anime abs, and his love for cats, is desperately trying not to pet them. That’s hilarious to play.

KAWACHI: Maria, as a newcomer, it’s tough to break into voice acting, especially with big names like Dee Bradley Baker, Tara Strong, and Suzie Yeung dominating the field. With Nyaight being your first major role, how did you manage to stand out?

DELILAH: I trained in Meisner for many years, did on-camera work, and worked other jobs. But I always wanted to voice act. It was tough—a lot of doors slammed in my face, especially here in LA. I once took a class where someone told me I didn’t belong in anime and should give up that dream. I remember crying after, but I refused to quit. I took classes with Monica Rial and J. Michael Tatum, and Tatum later became my mentor. He helped me build my demo, and Jeremy found me through that demo. He thought my voice fit Kaoru perfectly, and that audition changed my life. I’m so grateful. Now, the same people who doubted me say, “Wow, you did it.” And I can say, “Yeah, I did.”

KAWACHI: So, it was part hard work, part spite, and part luck?

DELILAH: Exactly. I poured myself into training, especially during the pandemic, taking every class I could. But it was also perseverance—not letting those negative voices dictate what I could or couldn’t do. The universe brought Jeremy into my life, and he gave me this chance.

With its blend of comedy, horror, and heart, Nyaight of the Living Cat offers a refreshing break from copy-and-paste isekai. Backed by seasoned veterans and a passionate newcomer, this series proves anime can still surprise us.

Stream Nyaight of the Living Cat now, exclusively on Crunchyroll.