Episode two of MAO set the tone for what we might expect this season. It feels like each episode or few episodes will be “monster of the week” while slowly working to uncover the mystery behind Mao and Nanoka. This is music to my ears because I love this type of story.
Mao Sensei on the Case
In this episode, Mao is investigating a gruesome report about young men who are being decapitated. Mao, Nanoka, and Otoya meet with a young servant girl who has noticed the master of the house she works at is acting strange. As Mao thinks this may be related to the Byoki who cursed him, he jumps to find out what is going on.
The anime utilizes a cute paper theater animation style as the servant girl recounts the weird events at the manor, which I throughly enjoyed. To this point, the anime feels very Inuyasha with it’s animation asthethic, so this break in style is noticeable and fun. I will say that although I don’t want to continously compare MAO to Inuyasha in anyway, I don’t mind the Inuyasha look and feel (it’s actually what I love about it!)
The Beginning
Told through memories, we get a small peak of how Mao was cursed by the Byoki. It appears as he was on the lying dead in a battlefield (possibly a long time ago,) the Byoki approached him and asked him for his body. I’m getting the feeling that Mao has never been an ordinary human and there’s something about him that the Byoki sought out. Unfortunately, I am extremely partial to cats and the Byoki looks like an adorable but mean kitty. I can’t take him seriously right now but I’m excited to see that change/
Nanoka vs the Spider Lady
One of my biggest draws to MAO right now is the fact that Nanoka is an ayakashi. We do not know how or why yet, but with the little knowledge she has, Nanoka is already using her ayakashi powers for good. In this episode, we get to see her go head to head with the Spider Lady (which also, I love a female villain.) Even though she doesn’t know much, Nanoka uses her strengths to get out of the spider’s silk and attempt to rescue Mao from it too.
In the last hour, when Nanoka has an opportunity to grab Mao’s sword, she’s able to use it and defeat the Spider Lady. This shocks Mao and Otoya, as no one but Mao can use the sword. This inexplicably means Mao and Nanoka are connected somehow. I can’t wait to see what that connection is (even though it may be a long, long time as the manga is 300+ chapters and ongoing.)
What’s Next
In the OP and ED, we see a lot of characters, some with similar hair to Mao. I’m hoping we get to meet them soon. I also am curious to see what waits for Nanoka as she returns to her world, after being in Mao’s world for this long of a time.
MAO is airing weekly on Hulu, with new episodes every Saturday.
