Rumiko Takahashi’s Mao Inspires Anime

Rumiko Takahashi’s Mao Inspires Anime featured image

©高橋留美子/小学館/「MAO」製作委員会

Rumiko Takahashi‘s Mao manga is getting a TV anime adaptation produced by Sunrise. A teaser trailer and teaser visual have been released.

The anime is set for a Spring 2026 anime season debut.

The announced staff and cast include:

Staff

• Director: Teruo Sato (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon Season 1)
• Series composer: Yuko Kakihara (Blue Box)
• Character designer and chief animation director: Yoshihito Hishinuma (Inuyasha, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon animation character designer)

Cast

Yuki Kaji as Mao
Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba
Hiro Shimono as Hyakka
Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon

©高橋留美子/小学館/「MAO」製作委員会

The Mao manga debuted in 2019 in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday and has 24 volumes as of May 2025. Viz Media describes the first volume as:

Nanoka passes through a portal into the Taisho era, where exorcist Mao reluctantly rescues her from the jaws of a grotesque yokai. When Nanoka gets back to the present, she discovers she has some new, incredible abilities. She returns to the past looking for answers, only to get caught up in Mao’s investigation of a series of gruesome murders. As her questions about herself multiply, Nanoka learns that Mao is cursed by a cat demon named Byoki—and so is his sword. If anyone but Mao attempts to wield it, they are doomed. But when Mao’s life is in jeopardy, Nanoka picks up his blade and swings!

Previous Takahashi manga that inspired anime include Ranma ½, Inuyasha, Urusei Yatsura, Rin-ne, and Maison Ikkoku. Some of these anime have received remakes as well.


Source: @nhk_animeworld

Melvyn Tan avatar
Melvyn is one of Anime Trending's main writers, covering a variety of anime and anime-adjacent topics. Occasionally, he'll take a break from news to put out a review or feature. He enjoys discovering standout anime episodes, OP/ED animation sequences, and animated music videos. Currently self-learning Japanese.
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