A highly anticipated announcement has sent ripples of excitement through the anime and manga community: Rumiko Takahashi’s dark fantasy manga, MAO, is officially receiving a television anime adaptation. The renowned animation studio Sunrise, known for its extensive portfolio including many of Takahashi’s previous works, will be helming the production, with the series slated to air on NHK General TV in spring 2026.
This news marks a significant milestone, as MAO will be the latest of Takahashi’s manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday to be adapted into anime, completing a full sweep for her works from that publication. The announcement was accompanied by the release of a teaser visual, a promotional video, and a comprehensive list of the main cast and staff.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Adaptation: Studio Sunrise
Sunrise, a titan in the anime industry, is a fitting choice to bring MAO to life. The studio has a long-standing and successful history with Rumiko Takahashi‘s creations, most notably having animated the beloved Inuyasha series from 2000 to 2004, which ran for 167 episodes and spawned four movies. Their return to adapting a Takahashi work signals a continuation of a successful creative partnership.
The lead staff for the MAO anime includes:
- Director: Teruo Sato, who has previously directed Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, a spin-off of Inuyasha.
- Series Script Supervisor: Yūko Kakihara, known for her work on Cells at Work!.
- Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma, who also worked on Inuyasha.
- Art Directors: Hiroshi Katō and Izumi Hoki.
- Color Key Artist: Masumi Ōtsuka.
- CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie.
- Compositing Director of Photography: Akane Fushihara.
- Editing: Kazuhiro Nii.
- Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta.
- Music: Shū Kanematsu.
This experienced team, with connections to past Takahashi adaptations, suggests a deep understanding of her distinctive style and narrative intricacies, promising a faithful and high-quality rendition of MAO.
The Enigmatic World of MAO: A Synopsis
MAO is a dark fantasy adventure manga that began serialization in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday in May 2019. As of May 2025, it has been collected into 24 tankōbon volumes. Viz Media holds the license for the English release of the series in North America.
The story centers on Nanoka Kiba, a plucky third-year middle school student who, eight years prior, miraculously survived a fatal accident at the Gogyō Town Shopping Center. Drawn inexplicably to an abandoned passage within the shopping district, Nanoka finds herself transported to Japan’s Taishō period (early 20th century).
In this supernatural past, she encounters the mysterious Mao, an onmyoji (exorcist) who has lived for over 900 years. Mao is cursed by a powerful cat demon known as Byoki, and as it turns out, Nanoka shares a sinister connection to this same curse. Together, they investigate bizarre supernatural occurrences, cults, and gruesome murders, all while Nanoka attempts to piece together her fragmented memories of the accident and unravel the deeper, shared mystery that binds her and Mao. Their dynamic has been noted to echo that of Kagome and Inuyasha, as well as Yuta and Mana from Takahashi’s Mermaid Saga, with Nanoka also gaining new abilities after her travels.
Voice Cast Bringing Characters to Life
The primary voice cast members announced for MAO are:
- Mao: Yūki Kaji, known for roles such as Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan.
- Nanoka Kiba: Natsumi Kawaida, whose previous roles include Kirie in Aharen-san wa Hakarenai.
- Hyakka: Hiro Shimono, a popular voice actor known for Zenitsu Agatsuma in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
- Kamon: Toshiyuki Toyonaga, recognized for his work as Yuuri Katsuki in Yuri!!! on Ice.
This experienced ensemble of voice actors is poised to give life to Takahashi’s distinctive characters, adding another layer of anticipation for fans.
Rumiko Takahashi’s Enduring Legacy
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most prolific and influential manga artists in history, boasting a career spanning over four decades and an impressive record of over 230 million copies of her works in circulation worldwide. Her “Rumic World” is celebrated for its unique blend of comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts, with beloved series such as Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, and RIN-NE. She was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame in 2018 and has won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award twice.
The adaptation of MAO into an anime follows recent successful reboots and continuations of her older major manga, including Urusei Yatsura and the upcoming second season of Ranma 1/2. This renewed focus on her bibliography underscores her enduring appeal and the timeless quality of her storytelling, solidifying her status as a global manga icon. The upcoming MAO anime is set to introduce her unique blend of supernatural adventure and compelling character dynamics to a new generation of viewers, while delighting long-time fans of her extensive “Rumic World.”
