Mao (manga)

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Mao
MAO Vol 1.jpg
Manga volume 1 cover, featuring Mao
Genre
Manga
Written byRumiko Takahashi
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Sunday Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Sunday
DemographicShōnen
Original runMay 8, 2019 – present
Volumes9 (List of volumes)
Wikipe-tan face.svg Anime and manga portal

Mao (stylized as MAO) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It has been serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine since May 2019, with its chapters collected in eight tankōbon volumes as of March 2021. In North America, the series is licensed for English release by Viz Media.

Plot[]

Eight years ago, Nanoka Kiba was saved from the wreckage of a fatal accident at Gogyō Town Shopping Center. Drawn to the abandoned passage of storefronts on her walk home from school in present day, she becomes inexplicably transported to Japan's Taishō period where she meets the mysterious Mao, a fellow traveler whose arrival at a ghost-inhabited village is simultaneous with hers. Together, they investigate the bizarre events that begin to occur around them, and Nanoka soon pieces apart her broken memories of the accident and how she and Mao may have something more sinister in common.

Characters[]

Mao (摩緒)
The wielder of a deadly longsword, Mao is a man cursed in many ways. Known as an onmyōji, he searches for the whereabouts of the byōki, a powerful kodoku created from a terrifying ritual.
Nanoka Kiba (黄葉 菜花, Kiba Nanoka)
A plucky third-year middle school student. She died when she was eight years old, but miraculously still lives on. Now fifteen, she uses an abandoned shopping district passage to travel to the Taishō era and investigate mysterious killings, cults, and disappearances with Mao.
Otoya (乙弥)
A shikigami and Mao's assistant.
Uozumi (魚住)
A shikigami sent by Mao to look after Nanoka.
Byōki (猫鬼)
A demon with similar appearance to the cat once known as Haimaru (灰丸), who cursed Mao and Nanoka to be its unwilling vessels.
Tenko (貂子)
A friend of Mao's who operates a dining establishment and through a network of connections provides him with the latest gossip.
Hyakka (百火)
A fire element user who was on friendly terms with Mao when they lived at the Kou Clan Manor in the Heian period. Hyakka was once in love with Sana and was led to believe Mao was guilty in ending her life.
Kuchinawa (朽縄)
A wood element user who occasionally joins forces with Mao when it is convenient for him. Known in the Heian period as Kamon (華紋), both he and Mao were disciples of the Kou Clan Manor. He has an interest in Masago's fate.
Masago (真砂)
A kind and powerful water element user and disciple of the Kou Clan Manor.
Shiranui (不知火)
A water element user who has a obsessive interest with Mao. He was also a rather lackluster disciple of the Kou Clan Manor.
Captain Shirasu (白洲)
A cunning metal element user and disciple of the Kou Clan Manor formerly known as Hakubi (白眉). He previously fought against Hyakka in the Russo-Japanese War, and has an old alliance with Yurako.
Yurako (幽羅子)
A mysterious woman who bears resemblance to Sana.
Sana (紗那)
Daughter of the Kou Clan Master who Mao knows to have been in love with another. As a result of the master's wishes, Mao and Sana believed themselves to be betrothed.
Daigo (大五)
An orphan and older brother figure to Mao. After leaving the orphanage where they were both raised, he recommends Mao to join the Kou Clan as he did. During his time in the Kou clan, he grew to be one of the best earth element users.
Natsuno (夏野)
A laid-back earth element user and disciple of the Kou Clan Manor who Mao occasionally calls upon for help.

Publication[]

Mao is written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi and was announced in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday in December 2018.[3][4] The manga started in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on May 8, 2019.[5][6][7] A 2-part interview between Takahashi and Satoru Noda, author of Golden Kamuy, was published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump to celebrate the then upcoming first volume of Mao and the new volume of Golden Kamuy in September 2019.[8][9] Shogakukan has collected the manga chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was published on September 18, 2019.[10] A promotional commercial for the fifth volume release, narrated by Inuyasha's character Sesshomaru (Ken Narita), was posted in August 2020.[2] A promotional commercial for sixth volume release, narrated by Inuyasha's characters Inuyasha (Kappei Yamaguchi) and Kagome (Satsuki Yukino), was posted in October 2020.[11] On July 7, 2021, the series reached 100 chapters and a promotional commercial, featuring Yuki Kaji as Mao (who previously expressed his interest to participate in an eventual anime adaptation of the series),[12] Hiro Shimono as Hyakka and Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon, was posted.[13] As of July 16, 2021, nine volumes have been released.[14]

In February 2021, Viz Media announced that they licensed the series for English release in North America and the first volume was published on September 14, 2021.[15][16][17] The series has also been licensed in France by Glénat,[18][19] in Italy by Star Comics[20] and in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo.[21]

Volume list[]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 September 18, 2019[10]978-4-09-129310-7September 14, 2021[17]978-1-9747-2052-1
  1. "Nanoka" (菜花)
  2. "Mao" (摩緒)
  3. "Beyond the Gate" (ゲートの向こう, Gēto no Mukō)
  4. "The Faceless Viscount" (顔のない子爵, Kao no Nai Shishaku)
  1. "The Spider Woman" (蜘蛛女, Kumo On'na)
  2. "Those Cursed" (呪われた者, Norowareta Mono)
  3. "The Cave-In Incident" (陥没事故, Kanbotsu Jiko)
  4. "Manipulating Life Span" (寿命を操る, Jumyō wo Ayatsuru)
2 November 18, 2019[22]978-4-09-129446-3November 9, 2021[23]978-1-9747-2058-3
  1. "Origin of the Demon" (鬼神の出処, Kishin no Shussho)
  2. "Behind the Cult" (教団の裏側, Kyōdan no Uragawa)
  3. "Reverse Curse" (呪い返し, Noroi Gaeshi)
  4. "The Prophecy of Lady Shoko" (鐘呼さまの予言, Shouko-sama no Yogen)
  5. "Keystone" (要石, Kanameishi)
  1. "Guardian of the Barrier" (結界の守人, Kekkai no Moribito)
  2. "Decoy" (囮, Otori)
  3. "Water Jaw" (水の顎, Mizu no Agito)
  4. "Memories of that Day" (あの日の記憶, Ano hi no Kioku)
  5. "The Beginning" (始まり, Hajimari)
3 January 17, 2020[24]978-4-09-129547-7——
  1. "Byoki" (猫鬼, Byōki)
  2. "Seven-Branched Tails" (七又の尾, Nanamata no o)
  3. "New Vessel" (新しい器, Atarashī utsuwa)
  4. "The Protection Shikigami" (守護の式神, Shugo no Shikigami)
  5. "Lady Uozumi" (魚住さん, Uozumi-san)
  1. "Ryōunkaku" (凌雲閣)
  2. "Senior Apprentice Hyakka" (兄弟子百火, Anideshi Hyakka)
  3. "Sword of Bad Omen" (不吉の太刀, Fukitsu no Tachi)
  4. "Haimaru" (灰丸)
  5. "Kuchinawa" (朽縄)
4 May 18, 2020[25]978-4-09-850078-9——
  1. "The Man's Name" (男の名は, Otoko no na wa)
  2. "The Shikigami from the West" (西から来た式神, Nishi kara kita Shikigami)
  3. "Soil and a Paper Doll" (土と形代, Tsuchi to Katashiro)
  4. "The Shikigamis' Master" (式神の主, Shikigami no Aruji)
  5. "Mokuzu" (藻久不)
  1. "The Kodoku Hole" (蟲毒の穴, Kodoku no Ana)
  2. "Taizan Fukun" (泰山府君)
  3. "Visitor in the Rain" (雨の訪問者, Ame no Hōmon-sha)
  4. "The Kodoku Jar" (蠱毒の壺, Kodoku no Tsubo)
  5. "Mixing of Blood" (血の交わり, Chi no Majiwari)
5 August 18, 2020[26]978-4-09-850174-8——
  1. "Masago" (真砂)
  2. "Shiranui" (不知火)
  3. "Warning" (警告, Keikoku)
  4. "Three Men Talk" (鼎談, Teidan)
  5. "The One Who Gives" (与える者, Ataerumono)
  1. "Misunderstandings" (すれ違い, Sure Chigai)
  2. "Iron Mask" (鉄仮面, Tekkamen)
  3. "Yurako" (幽羅子)
  4. "Sana's End" (沙那の最期, Sana no Saigo)
  5. "The Gold Shikigami" (金の式神, Kin no Shikigami)
6 October 16, 2020[27]978-4-09-850266-0——
  1. "White Bone Cave" (白骨洞, Byakkoddō)
  2. "Shiranui's Legs" (不知火の足, Shiranui no Ashi)
  3. "Nanoka's Doubts" (菜花の疑念, Nanoka no Ginen)
  4. "House of Curses" (呪いの家, Noroi no Ie)
  5. "Under the Mask" (仮面の下, Kamen no Shita)
  1. "Hakubi" (白眉)
  2. "The Woman of the Kou Clan" (御降家の女, Go Kou ke no Onna)
  3. "Beyond the Rivalry" (相剋の外, Sōkoku no Soto)
  4. "Don't Wake Up" (覚めない, Samenai)
  5. "Maogui" (マオグイ, Maogui)
7 January 18, 2021[28]978-4-09-850385-8——
  1. "The Orphanage" (捨童子の家, Sutedōji no ie)
  2. "Dirt Medicine" (土薬, Tsuchi kusuri)
  3. "Natsuno" (夏野)
  4. "Daigo's Death" (大五の死, Daigo no Shi)
  5. "Spirit Channeling" (魂おろし, Tama Oroshi)
  1. "The Underwater Shrine" (海底の社, Kaitei no Sha)
  2. "Five-Color Shrine Ring" (五色堂の輪, Goshikidō no Wa)
  3. "Amidst the Evil Aura" (邪気の中, Jyaki no Naka)
  4. "Divine Protection" (加護, Kago)
  5. "Undecaying Corpse" (朽ちない亡骸, Kuchinai Nakigara)
8 March 17, 2021[29]978-4-09-850395-7——
  1. "Sana's Heart" (紗那の心臓, Sana no Shinzō)
  2. "Possession" (憑きもの落とし, Tsukimono Otoshi)
  3. "Slasher" (通り魔, Tōrima)
  4. "Beast" (獣, Kemono)
  5. "The Kagami Clan's Heirloom" (加神家の家宝, Kagamike no Kahō)
  1. "Sōma's Desire" (双馬の望み, Soma no Nozomi)
  2. "The Puppet Needle" (傀儡の針, Kugutsu no Hari)
  3. "Slay the Beast" (獣を斬る, Kemono wo Kiru)
  4. "Sacrifice" (捨て身, Sutemi)
  5. "The Sleepwalking Patient" (夜歩く患者, Yoru-Aruku Kanja)
9 July 16, 2021[14]978-4-09-850531-9——
  1. "100th year" (百年目, Hyakunenme)
  2. "Hidenin" (悲田院, Hidenin)
  3. "Agreement" (契約, Keiyaku)
  4. "Village Play Troupe" (村芝居の一座, Murashibai no Ichiza)
  5. "Right Hand" (右手, Migite)
  1. "Curse Play" (呪い遊び, Noroi Asobi)
  2. "Kagari" (かがり, Kagari)
  3. "Needle Marks" (針の跡, Hari no Ato)
  4. "Ghost and Rakshasa" (幽鬼と羅刹, Yūki to Rasetsu)
  5. "Yurako's World" (幽羅子の世界, Yurako no Sekai)

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format[]

  1. "Sympathy" (いたわり, Itawari)
  2. "Words are a Curse" (言葉は呪い, Kotoba wa Noroi)
  3. "Fiery Insect" (苛火虫, Kakachu)
  4. "Renji" (漣次, Renji)
  5. "Life or Death Choice" (生死の選択, Seishi no Sentaku)
  6. "Life Extension Garden" (延命の庭, Enmei no Niwa)
  7. "Ambition" (野望, Yabō)
  8. "Hakubi's Intentions" (白眉の胸中, Hakubi no Kyōchū)
  9. "Family Matters" (家の事情, Ke no jijō)
  10. "The First Victim" (最初の被害者, Saisho no Higaisha)
  11. "The Protective Sword" (護り刀, Mamori Katana)
  12. "Curse Transfer" (呪い移し, Noroi Utsushi)
  13. "Meimeido" (冥命堂, Meimeido)
  14. "Soma's Mission" (双馬の使命, Soma no Shimei)
  15. "Ready to Kill" (殺す覚悟, Korosu Kakugo)
  16. "Akanemaru" (地血丸, Akanemaru)
  17. "The Katana's Master" (刀の主, Katana no Aruji)
  18. "Bargaining" (駆け引き, Kakehiki)
  19. "Mao's Impatience" (魔緒の焦り, Mao no Aseri)
  20. "Philanthropic Couple" (慈善家夫婦, Jizenkafufuu)

Reception[]

As of July 2021, the manga had 1 million copies in circulation.[13] In December 2019, Brutus magazine listed Mao on their "Most Dangerous Manga" list, which included works with the most "stimulating" and thought-provoking themes.[30]

In her review of the first volume, Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network ranked it as B-. Silverman called the series’ time period and its world building elements interesting, praising as well Takahashi's art. Silverman, however, criticized the series for its "reused" story elements and character designs, noting similarities to Takahashi's previous works like Inuyasha and Rin-ne.[31]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Official Website for Mao". Viz Media. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Komatsu, Mikikazu (August 18, 2020). "Sesshomaru Narrates CM for Rumiko Takahashi's Latest Manga Series "MAO" 5th Volume". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  3. ^ Loo, Egan (December 4, 2018). "Rumiko Takahashi to Launch New Manga Series Early Next Spring". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  4. ^ 高橋留美子：「サンデー」で19年早春に新連載 「境界のRINNE」以来. MantanWeb (in Japanese). December 4, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  5. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (April 16, 2019). "Rumiko Takahashi Launches MAO Manga Series in May". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  6. ^ 高橋留美子の新連載「MAO」サンデーで開幕！「犬夜叉」コンビが新作を解説. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 8, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "ANIME NEWS: 'Inuyasha' creator's new manga 'MAO' now available". animeanime.jp via The Asahi Shimbun. June 15, 2019. Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  8. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (September 10, 2019). "Inuyasha, Golden Kamuy Creators Talk Manga in 2-Part Interview". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  9. ^ 高橋留美子と野田サトルが初対談！創作論から高橋の意外なジンクスまで. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b ＭＡＯ １ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  11. ^ 犬夜叉＆かごめのかけ合い聴けるCMも、高橋留美子「MAO」6巻発売. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  12. ^ 「MAO」特集 梶裕貴インタビュー. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 17, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b 「MAO」100話＆100万部記念し梶裕貴ら出演PV制作、次号「絶チル」最終回. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b ＭＡＯ ９ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  15. ^ @VIZMedia (February 19, 2021). "Announcement: Mao, Vol. 1, releases Fall 2021! Rumiko Takahashi's latest work takes us back to a Taisho era Japan infested with demons, and only an exorcist named Mao can end them!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Mateo, Alex (February 19, 2021). "Viz to Release Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Mao, Rozen Blood, Burn the Witch, Animal Crossing, More Manga in Fall". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mao, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  18. ^ De la Cruz, Bruno (January 30, 2020). "Le manga Mao de Rumiko Takahashi en juillet chez Glénat". Anime News Network (in French). Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Glénat annonce MAO, la toute dernière série de Rumiko Takahashi !". manga-news.com (in French). January 29, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  20. ^ "MAO di Rumiko Takahashi annunciato per Star Comics". AnimeClick (in Italian). April 16, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  21. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 13, 2020). "Elex Media Licenses MAO, SPY×FAMILY, 5 More Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  22. ^ ＭＡＯ ２ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  23. ^ "Mao, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  24. ^ ＭＡＯ ３ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  25. ^ ＭＡＯ ４ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  26. ^ ＭＡＯ ５ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  27. ^ ＭＡＯ ６ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  28. ^ ＭＡＯ ７ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  29. ^ ＭＡＯ ８ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  30. ^ Morrissy, Kim (December 18, 2019). "Spy×Family Included in Brutus Magazine's 'Most Dangerous Manga' of 2019 List". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  31. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (September 12, 2021). "MAO GN 1 - Review - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

External links[]

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