The total number of copies published worldwide has exceeded 200 million. Rumiko Takahashi continues to produce big hits such as “1/2” “Inuyasha” and “Rinne of the boundary”. The latest work “MAO” has been serialized since 2019, and is being serialized in “Weekly Shonen Sunday” (Shogakukan).
This time, it has been decided that “MAO” will be made into a TV animation. Broadcasting has been decided in the spring of 2026! The animation production will be produced by Sunrise for the first time since the Inuyasha series in Rumiko Takahashi’s original work! At the same time, teaser visuals, teaser PVs, handwritten comments by Rumiko Takahashi, character & cast, synopsis, and main staff information are released at once! Comments by the cast members, Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, Hiro Shimono, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga have also arrived.

TV anime “MAO” will be broadcast on NHK General in the spring of 2026!
*Broadcast may change

Teaser visual, teaser PV, synopsis, main staff, cast unveiled at once!

■ Synopsis -Introduction-
Mao, a young man who lives in the Taisho era. A mysterious onmyoji who continues to live for 900 years due to a “curse”.
A junior high school girl who lives in Reiwa, a yellow leafy flower (maybe). When he was young, he was involved in an accident with his family, and he was the only one who survived.

One day, when Nahana passed through the gate of the shopping street where the accident site was made,
I got lost in the Taisho era, when the ayakashi spread.
The rape blossoms I met with Mao…

“You are a demon.”

After being told that by Mao, Nahana notices something strange about herself.

The two had the same “curse” on them…
Mao and Nahana confront the chained “curse”!

Rumiko Takahashi’s latest work “MAO”, the long-awaited animation!
The immersive dark fantasy x Time Slip Mystery that transcends the times has finally begun!

[That is the “curse” that eats the times.]

https://youtu.be/t8hsy9l-vjq

■ Original
Rumiko Takahashi “MAO” (serialized by Shogakukan “Weekly Shonen Sunday”)

■ STAFF
Director: Teruo Sato
Series composition: Yuko Kakihara
Character design and animation director: Yoshihito Hishinuma
Art director: Hiroshi Kato, Izumi Hoki
Color design: Masumi Otsuka
CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie
Director of cinematographer: Akane Fushihara
Edited by: Kazuhiro Arai
Sound director: Hiromi Kikuta
Music: Kanematsu
Animation production: Sunrise
Production: “MAO” Production Committee

■ CAST
Mao: Yuki Kaji
Green leaf flower: Kawaida Natsumi
Hundred Fire: Hiro Shimono
Hanamon: Toshiyuki Toyonaga

The handwritten comment by Rumiko Takahashi has arrived!

Rumiko Takahashi continues to produce big hits such as “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku”, “Ranma 1/2”, “Inuyasha”, “Rinne of the boundary”. A handwritten comment celebrating the animation of the latest work “MAO” serialized in “Weekly Shonen Sunday” (Shogakukan) has arrived!

Character & Cast Information Released!
The cast are Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, Hiroshi Shimono, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga!

Mao (CV Yuki Kaji)

An onmyoji who has lived for 900 years. Chasing the cat youth who manipulates life. Confront various strange incidents related to curse.

Comment from Yuki Kaji, who plays the role of Mao

This is Yuki Kaji, who will be in charge of Mao’s voice. Finally… we’ve finally announced it! It’s been 5 and a half years since I first answered the interview about this work. It’s been 4 years since you first put your voice into it. It’s been a year and a half since the start of post-recording. The time has finally come to deliver the happy information of “MAO” animation to everyone! I’m really happy from the bottom of my heart. While savoring the joy of being involved in the work of Rumiko Takahashi, who I love, I was able to play Mao with care for every episode. This work was produced by a team full of love and enthusiasm under the direction of director Teruo Sato. We are confident that you will be able to get the best results! Please look forward to the broadcast!

Kiba green flower (c) (CV Kawaida Natsumi)

A third-year junior high school student who lives in the present age of Reiwa. He lost his parents in a cave-in accident in the shopping district. After passing through the gates of the shopping street where the accident occurred, for some reason we arrive at the Taisho era. Then Mao said, “You’re a monster.”

Natsumi Kawaida’s comments

I’m Natsumi Kawaida, who will play Naka Koba.
It was like a dream to be auditioned, but no way! Can you entrust me with the role of Nahana? ! and
When I passed the exam, I was shocked.
I’m really happy to be able to walk through the world of “MAO” with her who doesn’t feel like a stranger.
I’ll put all the power I have into it and play it! Please look forward to the broadcast!

Hyakka (CV) (CV)

An onmyoji who controls the art of fire. Mao’s former senior brother.

Comment from Hiroshi Shimono, the role of Hyakuka

When I played it in the PV of the original comic of “MAO” before,
When I said, “If it’s made into an anime like this, I’d like to continue acting!”
I was surprised and really happy because I didn’t really think I could keep playing Hyakuka!
I’m looking forward to playing Mao for Kaji-kun and Toyonaga-kun playing Hanamon together, just like the original comics PV! !

Kamon (Cv Toshiyuki Toyonaga)

A gentle man who undertakes dirty work in a wealthy house. Onmyoji who manipulates the art of wood.

Comment from Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Hanamon

I’ve performed in the original comics PV and the original distribution program, but I was really happy when it was decided that the anime would continue… I was relieved.
I’m really looking forward to interacting with the Hanamon pattern, being able to immerse myself in the world of “MAO”, and being able to challenge myself as an actor!
Thank you very much for your support!

Official Web/SNS of the work <Open today!!>

▼ TV animation “MAO” official site
https://www.anime-mao.com/

▼X (@maonimation)
https://x.com/maoanimation

■ Original official web/SNS
▼ “Weekly Shonen Sunday” official site
https://websunday.net/

▼Manga website/app “Sunday Weburi”
https://www.sunday-webry.com/

▼Weekly Shonen Sunday Official X (@Shonen_Sunday)
Posts by shonen_sunday

▼Rumiko Takahashi information X (@rumicworld1010)
Posts by rumicworld1010

About the TV anime “MAO”
Rumiko Takahashi’s latest work “MAO” continues to produce blockbusters such as “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku”, “Ranma 1/2”, “Inuyasha”, and “Rinne of the Boundary”. Since 2019, it has been serialized in “Weekly Shonen Sunday” (Shogakukan).

Set in the Taisho era, Mao, a young man of the onmyoji, has wandered from the Reiwa era, a girl, Kiba. ), and approaching the 900-year-old “curse” is a dark fantasy of love and hatred x Time Slip Mystery.

This time, the long-awaited animation by Sunrise, who worked on the Inuyasha series!

■ Title
TV anime “MAO”

■ Statement of rights
Original: Rumiko Takahashi “MAO” (Serialized by Shogakukan “Weekly Shonen Sunday”)
© Rumiko Takahashi / Shogakukan / “MAO” Production Committee