"MAO," the manga series by Rumiko Takahashi serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday" (Shogakukan) since 2019, is confirmed for an anime adaptation! It has been announced that the series will start airing in spring 2026.
The animation production will be handled by Sunrise, marking their first collaboration on a Rumiko Takahashi original work since the Inuyasha series.
Along with this announcement, a teaser visual, teaser PV, handwritten comment from original creator Rumiko Takahashi, character and cast information, synopsis, and main staff details have all been released at once. Comments from the cast members Yuki Kaji-san, Natsumi Kawaida-san, Hiro Shimono-san, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga-san have also arrived.
▲The teaser visual
<The following content is quoted from the official announcement>
Teaser PV Released!
Introduction
In the Taisho era lives Mao, a mysterious exorcist cursed to live for 900 years. Centuries later, in the Reiwa era, we meet Nanoka Kiba, a middle school girl and the sole survivor of a tragic family accident.
One fateful day, as Nanoka revisits the site of the accident—a gate within a shopping district—she is inexplicably transported to the Taisho era. This is a time where supernatural entities known as ayakashi freely roam. There, she encounters Mao, who utters a chilling revelation: "You're an ayakashi, aren't you?"
With Mao's words, Nanoka begins to understand the unsettling truth of her own condition. It seems both Mao and Nanoka are linked by the very same "curse." Together, they must confront this shared burden.
Now, Rumiko Takahashi's latest creation, "MAO," is finally being adapted into an anime! Prepare for an immersive dark fantasy, intertwined with a captivating time-travel mystery, as a "curse" that devours time itself begins to unfold.
Staff & Cast
■ Original Work
"MAO" by Rumiko Takahashi (Serialized in Shogakukan's "Weekly Shonen Sunday", Licensed by Viz)
■ STAFF
Director: Teruo Sato
Series Composition: Yuko Kakihara
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma
Art Directors: Hiroshi Kato, Izumi Hoki
Color Design: Masumi Otsuka
CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie
Director of Photography: Akane Fushihara
Editor: Kazuhiro Arai
Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
Music: Shu Kanematsu
Animation Production: Sunrise
Production: "MAO" Production Committee
■ CAST
Mao: Yuki Kaji
Nanoka Kiba: Natsumi Kawaida
Hyakka: Hiro Shimono
Kamon: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
Original Author Rumiko Takahashi Sends Handwritten Congratulatory Message for "MAO" Anime Adaptation!
Thank you so much for the anime adaptation! It has turned out just as we hoped, with outstanding performances from the voice actors. I'm confident that everyone will thoroughly enjoy it.
Please be sure to check it out!
Character Information and Comment from Cast Published!
Mao (CV: Yuki Kaji)
An exorcist who has been alive for 900 years. He's pursuing a cat demon that can manipulate lifespans. Mao confronts various mysterious incidents related to curses.
■ Comment from Yuki Kaji
I'm Yuki Kaji, and I'm overjoyed to finally announce that I'll be voicing Mao in the anime adaptation of "MAO"! It's been a long journey: five and a half years since my first interview about this project, four years since I first voiced the character, and a year and a half since recording began.
I'm incredibly grateful to be involved in a work by the esteemed Rumiko Takahashi-sensei. I've poured my heart into portraying Mao in every episode, and I can confidently say that under Director Teruo Sato, this series has been crafted with immense love and passion. The final product is exceptional! Please look forward to it and stay tuned for the broadcast!
Nanoka Kiba (CV: Natsumi Kawaida)
A third-year middle school student living in the modern Reiwa era. She lost her parents in a sinkhole accident at the shopping district. When she passes through the gate of the accident-stricken shopping district, she somehow finds herself in the Taisho era. There, Mao tells her, "You're an ayakashi, aren't you?"
■ Comment from Natsumi Kawaida
Hello! I'm Natsumi Kawaida, and I'm thrilled to be voicing Nanaka Kibasaki.
Auditioning for this role was a dream come true, but being chosen to play Nanoka? I was trembling with excitement when I found out I got the part!
I'm truly happy to embark on this journey with Nanoka in the world of "MAO." There's something about her that feels so familiar, not like a stranger at all.
I'll be pouring all my energy and talent into this role, so please look forward to the broadcast!
Hyakka (CV: Hiro Shimono)
An exorcist who manipulates fire techniques. He was once Mao's senior disciple.
■ Comment from Hiro Shimono
When I voiced the promotional video for the original "MAO" manga, I recall saying, "If this gets an anime adaptation, I'd love to continue playing this role!" I honestly never imagined I'd get to keep voicing Hyakka, so I was genuinely surprised and delighted!
I'm also thrilled that our original cast is staying together for this project, and I'm looking forward to working alongside Kaji-kun as Mao and Toyonaga-kun as Kamon, just like we did in the manga PV. It's truly exciting!
Kamon (CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga)
A handsome man from a wealthy family who takes on dirty work. He's an exorcist who manipulates wood techniques.
■ Comment from Toshiyuki Toyonaga
I'm truly overjoyed to continue voicing the character in the anime, a role I first undertook for the original manga's promotional video and the manga's streaming program. It was a huge relief to learn I'd be returning!
I eagerly anticipate reuniting with Kamon-sama and delving back into the world of "MAO." As an actor, I'm excited by the challenges this role presents!
Thank you for your support, and please look forward to the show!
About Anime "MAO"
Set to air in Spring 2026
About Anime "MAO"
"MAO" is the latest work by Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of numerous hit series such as "Urusei Yatsura," "Maison Ikkoku," "Ranma 1/2," "Inuyasha," and "RIN-NE." The manga has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday (published by Shogakukan) since 2019, and licensed by Viz.
Set in the Taisho era (1912-1926), this dark fantasy and time-travel mystery follows the story of Mao, a young exorcist, who encounters Nanoka Kiba, a girl who has accidentally slipped through time from the present-day Reiwa era. Together, they unravel a 900-year-old curse in a tale filled with love and hatred.
Now, the highly anticipated anime adaptation is being produced by Sunrise, the studio behind the Inuyasha series!
Introduction
In the Taisho era lives Mao, a mysterious exorcist cursed to live for 900 years. Centuries later, in the Reiwa era, we meet Nanoka Kiba, a middle school girl and the sole survivor of a tragic family accident.
One fateful day, as Nanoka revisits the site of the accident—a gate within a shopping district—she is inexplicably transported to the Taisho era. This is a time where supernatural entities known as ayakashi freely roam. There, she encounters Mao, who utters a chilling revelation: "You're an ayakashi, aren't you?"
With Mao's words, Nanoka begins to understand the unsettling truth of her own condition. It seems both Mao and Nanoka are linked by the very same "curse." Together, they must confront this shared burden.
Now, Rumiko Takahashi's latest creation, "MAO," is finally being adapted into an anime! Prepare for an immersive dark fantasy, intertwined with a captivating time-travel mystery, as a "curse" that devours time itself begins to unfold.
Original Work
"MAO" by Rumiko Takahashi (Serialized in Shogakukan's "Weekly Shonen Sunday", Licensed by Viz)
STAFF
Director: Teruo Sato
Series Composition: Yuko Kakihara
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma
Art Directors: Hiroshi Kato, Izumi Hoki
Color Design: Masumi Otsuka
CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie
Director of Photography: Akane Fushihara
Editor: Kazuhiro Arai
Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
Music: Shu Kanematsu
Animation Production: Sunrise
Production: "MAO" Production Committee
CAST
Mao: Yuki Kaji
Nanoka Kiba: Natsumi Kawaida
Hyakka: Hiro Shimono
Kamon: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
TV Anime "MAO" Official Website
TV Anime "MAO" Official X Account (@MAOanimation)
"Weekly Shonen Sunday" Official Website
Manga Website and App "Sunday Webry"
Weekly Shonen Sunday Official X Account (@shonen_sunday)
Rumiko Takahashi Information X Account (@rumicworld1010)
©Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan/"MAO" Production Committee
※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
