Life feels good when you have a new Rumiko Takahashi anime to watch! I don’t know what rock I was living under that I was unaware or forgot that a MAO anime was in the works. Imagine my surprise reading that news post from the weekend. I bugged my husband all day to remember his Hulu login credentials and by the grace of the anime gods, HE DID! As I laid down to watch MAO last night, I couldn’t help but smiling ear to ear at how good it felt to be in a Rumiko world once more.
About MAO
MAO is the newest anime from the queen Rumiko Takahashi! We know her for Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2, along with many other famous series. She is one of the most prolific manga creators of all time. The MAO manga is licensed in English by VIZ Media. The anime is produced by Sunrise Studios (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon) and directed by Teruo Satou.
MAO follows Nanoka Kiba, a teenager in present day Japan who lost her parents in a freak accident eight years ago. One day, Nanoka visits an old shopping arcade, which is the site of the accident. Once there, she is mysteriously transported to a different time. Nanoka arrives to a place filled with weird beings and monsters. She also meets Mao here, an onmyoji who has been cursed.
My Thoughts
Rumiko’s art I’style is so distinct that the minute the anime started, I knew I was at home. Inuyasha has been in my heart for over 20 years, and now I’m obsessed with the Ranma 1/2 reboot so MAO fits right in. I’m also a sucker for a girl led story, so there’s that. The story starts with Nanoka, who I instantly love because of her short hair. She’s been through so much losing her parents at a young age but so far, it seems she’s been managing. When she’s randomly transported into the other world she’s concered but still keeping her cool.
When Nanoka encounters Mao, he calls her an “ayakashi” but to her knowledge, Nanoka is only human. But when she returns to her world, she has gained supernatural powers like super speed and strength. Another reason for me to love her, because a girl led story AND she has some type of powers?! I can’t wait to learn more about her and her history.
It goes without saying that Mao is HOT HOT. Rumiko’s leading men always have a look to them and I am always down for it. Can you blame me?? The black and white hair is a look already but then you add in the scar, and I’m down bad. Plus, Mao comes off with such a calm and collected demeanor, not losing his cool at all around a beast. *swoons*
This first episode gave us a lot to think about in such a little time. We learn about Mao’s backstory and the surface of Nanoka’s, but clearly there’s a lot going on. At the end of the episode, she recovers a memory that may explain just her connection to this mysterious world. I’m wondering if she truly is an ayakashi or something else.
MAO is airing weekly on Hulu, with new episodes every Saturday.
