Key Facts

• MAO anime to air on NHK General TV in spring 2026
• All Rumiko Takahashi’s Weekly Shonen Sunday works now adapted into anime
• MAO is serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2019
• Animation by Sunrise, returning for the first time since Inuyasha
• Teaser visual, PV, staff, and cast information released

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Rumiko Takahashi’s manga MAO will be adapted into a television anime, set to air on NHK General TV in spring 2026. With this announcement, all of Takahashi’s manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday have now been adapted into anime. The production will be handled by Sunrise, marking their return to animating Takahashi’s works for the first time since Inuyasha. A teaser visual, PV, and cast and staff details were also released.

All Sunday Series Adapted

MAO is the latest manga by Rumiko Takahashi and has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2019. The announcement of its anime adaptation completes a notable milestone: every one of Takahashi’s serialized works in Weekly Shonen Sunday has now been adapted into television anime. This includes:

Urusei Yatsura (1981, 2022)
Ranma ½ (1989, 2024)
Inuyasha (2000)
RIN-NE (2015)
MAO (2026)

The anime will be produced by Sunrise, which previously worked on Inuyasha, returning to animate another Takahashi property after more than two decades.

Characters and Cast

Set in the Taisho era, MAO follows the story of Mao, a mysterious onmyoji who has lived for over 900 years. He meets Nanoka Kiba, a modern-day junior high school student who is transported to the past through a strange accident. Together, they face supernatural incidents connected to a long-standing curse.

Main characters include:
Mao (voiced by Yuki Kaji): A 900-year-old onmyoji pursuing a life-manipulating cat demon
Nanoka Kiba (voiced by Natsumi Kawaida): A present-day girl who enters the Taisho era after an accident
Hyakka (voiced by Hiro Shimono): Mao’s former senior apprentice, who uses fire techniques

Kamon (voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga): A skilled onmyoji from a wealthy background who wields wood techniques

Production Team and Staff

The anime will be directed by Teruo Sato. Yuko Kakihara is in charge of series composition. Character design and chief animation direction are handled by Yoshihito Hishinuma. Art direction will be led by Hiroshi Kato and Izumi Hoki. Masumi Otsuka will be responsible for color design, while Tomohiro Fujie is the CG director.

Cinematography is managed by Akane Fushihara, with editing by Kazuhiro Arai. Hiromi Kikuta serves as sound director, and music is composed by Shu Kanematsu. The production is by Sunrise, with overall coordination by the MAO Production Committee.

Author Rumiko Takahashi commented, “Thank you for the anime adaptation. It turned out just as I had hoped, and the voice actors are wonderful. I think everyone will enjoy it. Please be sure to watch it!”

Anime MAO Teaser Movie

FAQ

Q: When will the MAO anime be broadcast?
A: The anime is scheduled to air on NHK General TV in spring 2026.

Q: Who is animating the MAO anime?
A: The animation is being produced by Sunrise.

Q: What is the significance of this adaptation?
A: With MAO, all of Rumiko Takahashi’s Weekly Shonen Sunday manga have been adapted into anime.

Q: Who voices the main characters in MAO?
A: Yuki Kaji (Mao), Natsumi Kawaida (Nanoka), Hiro Shimono (Hyakka), Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Kamon).

Q: Where is MAO originally serialized?
A: The manga is serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2019.

Source : ORICON NEWS