NHK Announces MAO Anime Adaptation for 2026

Japanese public broadcaster NHK has announced the first details for the forthcoming anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s supernatural dark fantasy manga MAO, which will be broadcast in the Spring of 2026 in Japan. Viz Media currently publishes the manga in English, which is currently on its 19th volume.

As with previous contemporary Rumiko Takahashi anime productions, animation production will be handled by Sunrise, with Teruo Sato of the Full Moon wo Sagashite anime adaptation directing the new series. Scriptwriting duties will be handled by Yuko Kakihara of Chihayafuru, Cells At Work and multiple Digimon entries, while longtime collaborator Yoshihito Hishinuma will provide character designs and be responsible for animation direction.

Initial cast details have also been confirmed, with Yuki Kaji as Mao, Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba, Hiro Shimono as Hyakka and Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon. The first teaser trailer has also been released and is featured below.

When Nanoka travels back in time to a supernatural early 20th century, she gets recruited by aloof exorcist Mao. What is the thread of fate that connects them? Together, they seek answers…and kick some demon butt along the way! 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!