The highly anticipated manga series MAO by legendary creator Rumiko Takahashi is officially receiving a TV anime adaptation, slated to premiere in Spring 2026. Animation production will be handled by the renowned studio Sunrise, a move that has generated significant excitement among fans of Takahashi’s extensive body of work.
The Legacy of Rumiko Takahashi Continues
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most prolific and influential manga artists of all time, celebrated for creating iconic series such as Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, and Inuyasha. Her works are known for their compelling narratives, memorable characters, and unique blend of comedy, romance, and supernatural elements. Takahashi’s manga has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and her anime adaptations have achieved global popularity, making her one of the most successful female comic artists in history.
The announcement of MAO‘s anime adaptation further solidifies her ongoing legacy, following recent successful reboots of her older major manga, including Urusei Yatsura and the upcoming second season of Ranma 1/2.
Delving into the World of MAO
MAO, stylized in all caps, began its serialization in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine in May 2019. As of May 2025, the series has been collected into 24 tankōbon volumes. Viz Media has licensed the series for English release in North America, with the first volume published in September 2021.
The story of MAO is an era-spanning supernatural adventure, weaving together elements of historical romance and dark fantasy. It centers on Nanoka Kiba, a plucky third-year middle school student who, eight years prior, miraculously survived a fatal accident. Drawn to an abandoned passage of storefronts, Nanoka is inexplicably transported to Japan’s Taishō period (early 20th century). There, she encounters the mysterious Mao, an exorcist who wields a deadly longsword called Hagunsei.
Mao is a man cursed and known as an onmyōji, searching for a powerful kodoku creature called byōki. As Nanoka becomes entangled in Mao’s world, they investigate bizarre supernatural occurrences and gruesome murders. Nanoka soon pieces together her fragmented memories of the accident, realizing a sinister connection between herself and Mao, as they both share byōki blood. The manga explores a curse that has persisted for 900 years, with Nanoka assisting Mao as his “buddy” in driving the story forward.
Sunrise at the Helm: A Promising Collaboration
The choice of Sunrise as the animation studio for MAO has been met with enthusiasm, given their impressive track record with Takahashi’s previous works. Sunrise was notably responsible for the Inuyasha series, which achieved widespread acclaim and popularity.
Established in 1972, Sunrise (now operating as Bandai Namco Filmworks) has become a stalwart in the anime industry, renowned for producing a steady stream of popular and critically acclaimed original series and adaptations. While widely recognized for their mecha anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam and Code Geass, Sunrise has demonstrated significant versatility across various genres, including fantasy, action, and slice-of-life. Their animation quality is often lauded, with many referring to their fluid animation as “Sunrise smooth.” This expertise bodes well for MAO‘s transition to the animated screen, promising a visually engaging and high-quality adaptation.
The main voice cast for the MAO anime has also been revealed, featuring Yuki Kaji as Mao, Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba, Hiro Shimono as Hyakka, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon. Teruo Sato is set to direct the series, with Yūko Kakihara overseeing the series scripts, and Yoshihito Hishinuma handling character design and serving as chief animation director. Music for the series will be composed by Shū Kanematsu.
