MAO Anime Announced for Spring 2026

Teaser visual,

Takahashi Rumiko’s fantasy action manga “MAO” has been adapted into a TV anime and will be broadcast on NHK General TV in spring 2026. Kaji Yuki will play the role of Mao, Kawaida Natsumi will play the role of Kiba Nanoka, Shimono Hiro will play the role of Hyakkka, and Toyonaga Toshiyuki will play the role of Kamon. A teaser PV and teaser visuals have been released.

Main Cast Announcement

The original work has been serialized in “Weekly Shonen Sunday” (Shogakukan) since 2019. One day, a middle school girl living in the Reiwa era, Nanaka, who was involved in an accident with her family when she was young and was the only survivor, gets lost in the Taisho era, where spirits are rampant. There, Nanaka meets Mao, a mysterious onmyoji who has lived for 900 years due to a curse. Nanaka learns that she has also been cursed with the same curse as Mao, and together with Mao, she confronts the chain of curses.

Many stills from the teaser PV have also been released

Kaji plays Mao, an onmyoji who pursues the cat demon “Byoneko” that controls lifespans and confronts various mysterious incidents related to curses. Kawaida plays Nanaka, a girl who, like Mao, was cursed by the sick cat due to an accident that occurred when she was in elementary school. Shimono plays Momoka, and Toyonaga plays Kamon, both of whom were former senior disciples of Mao. Momoka is skilled in controlling things with fire energy, and Kamon is skilled in controlling things with wood energy. Kaji, Shimono, and Toyonaga also played the same roles in the original digest movie released in 2021.

Mao (voiced by Kaji Yuki)

Kiba Nanoka (voiced by Kawaida Natsumi)

Hyakkka (voiced by Hiro Shimono)

Kamon (CV: Toyonaga Toshiyuki)

The main staff is the same ones who worked on “Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon”. Under the direction of Sato Teruo, who worked on “Chapter One”, character design and general animation director is Hishinuma Yoshihito, and animation production is handled by Sunrise. The series is written by Kakihara Yuko, who participated in the scriptwriting of “Rinne”.

The voice-over teaser PV starts with a scene where Nanaka, who has traveled back in time, meets Mao. It also includes footage of Momoka and Kamon using magic. The teaser visual shows Mao unsheathing her sword.

EMOTION Label Channel

Channel subscriber count: 1.47 million

TV anime “MAO” teaser PV | Rumiko Takahashi’s latest work | Scheduled to air in spring 2026

Full comments from the cast and Takahashi are below.

[Kaji Yuki (role of Mao)]

I am Kaji Yuki, who will be the voice of Mao. Finally… I can finally announce it! Five and a half years since I first answered an interview about the series. Four years since I first voiced the character. One and a half years since the dubbing started. Finally, the time has come to deliver the happy news that “MAO” will be animated! I am truly, truly happy from the bottom of my heart. I have been savoring the gratitude of being able to be involved in the work of my beloved Takahashi Rumiko-sensei, and have been cherishing every episode as I play Mao. This work was produced by a team full of love and passion under the direction of Director Sato Teruo. I am confident that the finished product is absolutely wonderful! Please look forward to the broadcast!

[Kawaida Natsumi (role of Oba Nanoka)]

I’m Kawaida Natsumi, who will be playing Oba Nanoka. It was like a dream to even be able to audition, but I never thought I’d be entrusted with the role of Nanoka! I was so excited when I passed the audition. I’m so happy to be able to walk through the world of “MAO” with her, who doesn’t feel like a stranger to me. I’ll put all my energy into the role! Please look forward to the broadcast!

[Shimono Hiro (Momoka)]

When I acted in the promotional video for the original “MAO” comic, I said, “If it’s made into an anime, I’d love to continue playing the role!” I never thought I’d be able to continue playing Momoka, so I was surprised and really happy! I’m looking forward to seeing Kaji-kun playing Mao and Toyonaga-kun playing Hanamon together, just like in the promotional video for the original comic!!

[Toyonaga Toshiyuki (role of Hanamon)]

I have acted in the promotional videos for the original comics and in the original streaming programs, so I was really happy when it was decided that I would continue in the anime… I breathed a sigh of relief. I am really looking forward to interacting with Hanamon-sama once again, immersing myself in the world of “MAO”, and taking on the challenge of being an actor! Thank you very much!

[Takahashi Rumiko (original author)]

⇧“Your click helps my blog grow—thanks for your support!”

Rumiko Takahashi’s supernatural mystery manga receives long-awaited anime adaptation.

The announcement of a TV anime adaptation of MAO marks another milestone in Rumiko Takahashi’s legendary career. Known for iconic works such as Inuyasha and Ranma ½, Takahashi returns to the realm of supernatural romance and mystery with MAO. The casting of renowned voice actors like Yuki Kaji and Natsumi Kawaida hints at a serious production effort, and the teaser PV shows a faithful and atmospheric approach to the source material. Fans of Takahashi’s earlier works will likely appreciate the thematic parallels, while newcomers may be drawn to the unique blend of mystery, time travel, and yokai lore. Spring 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting season for anime.