The TV anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi‘s Mao manga has resurfaced with a trailer, a key visual, an April 4 broadcast premiere date, and the reveal of a two-consecutive-cour length.
It was also announced that “HEARTLOUD” by Kis-My-Ft2 is the show’s opening song, while “Juai” by TRUE is the ending song. Additionally, there were seven more cast announcements:
• Momoka Terasawa as Otoya
• Kazuyuki Okitsu as Shiranui
• Motoko Kumai as Funa Uozumi
• Yoko Hikasa as Tenko
• Risa Shimizu as Sana
• Reina Ueda as Yurako
• Takashi Matsuyama as Byoki
©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 27 volumes as of February 2026. Viz Media describes the first volume as such:
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!
Mao marks the latest anime adaptation of a Takahashi title, following Ranma ½, Inuyasha, Urusei Yatsura, Rin-ne, Maison Ikkoku, and the Ranma ½ and Urusei Yatsura remakes.
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)
• Animation production: Sunrise
Cast
• Yuki Kaji as Mao
• Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba
• Hiro Shimono as Hyakka
• Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon
Source: Mao anime website
