🌀 Rumiko Takahashi’s MAO Anime (Spring 2026) – Supernatural Tale of Fate, Curses & Time Travel | Cast, Plot & TV Premiere Details

Rumiko Takahashi's MAO Gets TV Anime Adaptation in Spring 2026 – A Supernatural Tale of Fate, Curses & Time Travel

Get ready to dive into another mystical world from the legendary creator Rumiko Takahashi. Known for iconic works like Inuyasha, Ranma ½, and Urusei Yatsura, Takahashi’s latest manga, MAO, is officially receiving a TV anime adaptation. Slated to premiere in Spring 2026 on NHK General TV, the series will be produced by Sunrise, the studio behind Inuyasha, bringing Takahashi’s rich storytelling and haunting imagery to life once again.

🌸 What is MAO About?

MAO is a genre-bending supernatural mystery that blends time travel, onmyōdō (Japanese esoteric cosmology), and cursed destiny. The story follows Nanoka Kiba, a spirited teenage girl who survived a fatal accident eight years ago. While walking home one day, she wanders into an abandoned shopping arcade—and is suddenly transported to Taishō-era Japan.

There, she meets the enigmatic Mao, an immortal onmyōji (exorcist) cursed by a demonic entity known as Byōki. Bound by similar fates and cursed blood, Nanoka and Mao form a bond as they unravel the mystery of their connection and face powerful enemies from across time.

✨ First Look at the Anime Adaptation

The upcoming anime adaptation of MAO is packed with talent:

• Director: Teruo Sato (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon)

• Series Composition: Yūko Kakihara (Chihayafuru, Digimon Adventure tri.)

• Character Design: Yoshihito Hishinuma (Inuyasha, Yashahime)

• Music: Shū Kanematsu

• Studio: Sunrise

This dream team brings deep experience in supernatural epics and character-driven drama—perfect for the layered, mysterious world of MAO.

🧧 Key Characters to Watch

• Mao (voiced by Yuki Kaji)A cursed exorcist with a deadly sword, Mao seeks to destroy the Byōki that has tormented him for centuries. Quiet and brooding, he becomes Nanoka’s guide and protector in the Taishō period.

• Nanoka Kiba (voiced by Natsumi Kawaida)A determined schoolgirl caught between worlds. Miraculously alive after a deadly accident, she joins Mao to uncover secrets of the past and present while wielding her own blood-powered sword.

• ByōkiA cat-demon that cursed Mao and Nanoka, feeding on their misfortunes and linking their destinies in blood.

• Hyakka, Kuchinawa, Shiranui, and YurakoFormer disciples of the mysterious Kou Clan Manor, each representing a different elemental power. Friends and foes alike, they add layers of intrigue, tragedy, and tension to the unfolding narrative.

📚 Manga Origins and Global Reach

MAO has been serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday since 2019, and currently spans 24 volumes. The manga is known for its elegant artwork, historical references, and a storyline that recalls the mythic qualities of Inuyasha, while introducing darker, more philosophical themes. Viz Media licenses the manga in English for North American readers.

🗓️ When and Where to Watch

The TV anime adaptation of MAO will premiere on NHK General TV in Spring 2026, with additional broadcast and streaming details to be announced soon. Fans can expect top-tier animation, emotional storytelling, and deep lore—all in a beautifully stylized historical setting.

🎤 Final Thoughts

MAO is more than just another time-travel fantasy. With cursed bloodlines, reincarnated tragedies, and shadowy spirits lurking in every corner, the anime adaptation promises a gripping, heartfelt journey through time, memory, and fate.

Whether you're a longtime Takahashi fan or new to her works, MAO is set to be one of the most talked-about anime releases of 2026.

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