It’s still early in MAO, but it seems that we’re already falling into a groove with the mysteries. Episode three takes us on a new case, while Mao and Nanoka try to piece together their connection.
Nanoka’s World
As the number one Nanoka fan right now, I love that this episode gives us some time in Nanoka’s time. We get to see her interact with her schoolmates more and strike up a friendship with Shiraha, a boy who seemingly has a crush on her. Nanoka asks Shiraha for help with finding information on the accident she was involved in, which made me feel old because the info they found were tweets about the accident. I like seeing this side of Nanoka and whatever these two will have going on developing. I also like how it creates a separation between Nanoka and the world with Mao in it. She still has her own life and world, outside of whatever this connection is.
Also in Nanoka’s world, I am so interested in what her grandfather and Ouzumi know. We learn that the recent trip to the other world, cost Nanoka almost a week in real time. The rules of how time passes isn’t clear yet as some trips are only an hour or no time at all. While her grandfather was concerned, he also was kind of like “alright, I guess.” Ouzumi told the school that Nanoka was in the hospital. So what do you guys know or do you just trust Nanoka enough to let it be?? (Or is it just anime logic and we deal with it?)
A New Case
When Nanoka returns to Mao’s world, they are investigating a new case of a potential cult. In order to do this, Nanoka infiltrates the cult as a potential new member. It’s early but I love that Nanoka is already getting down and dirty, working in this world. Of course, this isn’t just for the sake of helping. Mao is trying to determine if the cult leader, a priestess, is related in anyway to the Byoki that cursed Mao. And that Byoki may have also been involved with Nanoka’s accident.
I love how Nanoka has had big roles in the cases so far, even saving Mao in the last episode. I am hoping this is something that continues throughout the series. In this episode, she’s mostly mining for information but I’m hoping she’s able to do something more in the next episode.
MAO is airing weekly on Hulu, with new episodes every Saturday.
