MAO

Name: MAO
Genre: Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery
Released: 2026-04-04
Rating: 8.8
Cast: Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, Hiro Shimono, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Momoka Terasawa

ENDED1 Season26 Episodes★ 8.8

MAO is an animated action-adventure series on NHK G that premiered in 2026, ending after 1 season and 26 episodes.

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NetworkNHK G

First AiredApr 4, 2026

Last AiredSep 26, 2026

GenreAnimation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery

Runtime25 min

LanguageJapanese

CountryJapan

ProductionSUNRISE, Bandai Namco Filmworks, Shogakukan

Eight years ago, Nanoka Kiba was saved from the wreckage of a fatal accident at Gogyō Town Shopping Center. Drawn to the abandoned passage of storefronts on her walk home from school in present day, she becomes inexplicably transported to Japan's Taishō period where she meets the mysterious Mao, a fellow traveler whose arrival at a ghost-inhabited village is simultaneous with hers. Together, they investigate the bizarre events that begin to occur around them, and Nanoka soon pieces together her broken memories of the accident and how she and Mao may have something more sinister in common.

WHERE TO WATCH

Hulu

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Cast

Yuki Kaji

Mao (voice)

Natsumi Kawaida

Nanoka Kiba (voice)

Hiro Shimono

Hyakka (voice)

Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Kamon (voice)

Momoka Terasawa

Kazuyuki Okitsu

Motoko Kumai

Yoko Hikasa

Risa Shimizu

Reina Ueda

Takashi Matsuyama

Seasons & Episodes1 season · 26 episodes

0% complete

E1Nanoka and Mao

Apr 4, 202625m

Nanoka is an attuned adolescent. So when a covered shopping arcade beckons, a strange world awaits.

E2Spider Lady

Apr 11, 202625m

Nanoka discovers that the arcade links to the Taisho era, while Mao probes a mysterious murder case.

E3The Accursed

Apr 18, 202625m

Nanoka is unharmed by Mao's cursed sword. She returns to modern times to investigate an accident.

E4The Shorinkyo Incident

Apr 25, 202625m

Nanoka and Otoya infiltrate the Shorinkyo cult, but get trapped inside by the leader, Shoko.

E5The Keystone

May 2, 202625m

Earthquakes plague Taisho-era Fifth Street. Mao and Otoya find a church atop a sacred keystone site.

E6Memories of That Day

May 9, 202625m

Nanoka reveals that she is from 100 years in the future. She goes back in time to question Mao.

E7The New Vessel

May 16, 202625m

In the Taisho era, Nanoka is abducted by Byoki. Mao tries to help but collapses.

E8Hyakka

May 23, 202625m

Mao is attacked by Hyakka, a fire-wielding onmyoji. He reveals a secret about the Goshikido.

E9Kamon

May 30, 202625m

Mao and the gang help the injured Tenko. Kuchinawa, who appears on the scene, turns out to be Kamon.

E10Taizanfukun

Jun 6, 202625m

A giant made of fish and water demands that Mao teach him the ultimate onmyoji spell, Taizanfukun.

E11Blood Bond

Jun 13, 202625m

Mao tries to help a sick boy but walks into a trap. A shikigami attacks Mao, trying to capture him.

E12Water Sorcerer

Jun 20, 202625m

Mao recalls the Goko Clan's water sorcerer. Kamon reunites with Shiranui at a water temple.

E13Byoki

Jun 27, 202625m

Nanoka carries Byoki's message for Mao to the Taisho era. Kamon exposes Shiranui's scam.

E14The Iron Mask

Jul 4, 202625m

Rumors of a life-extending Goko Clan onmyoji lead Kamon and Mao to investigate Yurako.

E15Shiranui

Jul 18, 202625m

Shiranui demands the Taizanfukun spell from Mao, but Mao is enraged that Yurako is working for him.

E16Hakubi

Jul 18, 202625m

Hakubi attacks Mao with Metal sorcery. Mao transforms into a beast and goes on a rampage.

E17Maogui

Jul 25, 202625m

After battling Hakubi, Mao falls into a deep sleep. Nanoka and Shiraha investigate cats and Onmyodo.

E18Natsuno

Aug 1, 202625m

Natsuno reveals Daigo and Sana's past. Mao and Kamon unlock the mystery of the Undersea Shrine.

E19The Undersea Shrine

Aug 8, 202625m

Mao and his crew head for the Undersea Shrine. Kamon is driven into a corner by Shiranui's sorcery.

E20Sana's Heart

Aug 15, 202625m

Kamon seeks Masago's stolen body. Natsuno links Yurako's evil energy to Sana's death.

E21Soma

Aug 22, 202625m

After battling Ichima Kagami, Mao takes the injured Soma to the clinic, but Soma slips away.

E22Risk My Life

Aug 29, 202625m

A cursed puppet needle transforms Mao into a beast and turns him against his friends.

E23The Sleepwalking Patient

Sep 5, 202625m

Mao follows a patient who slips out of the hospital to eat grave dirt and uncovers a powerful curse.

E24Traveling Performers

Sep 12, 202625m

Natsuno discovers a buried village, but seeks Kamon's help after being attacked by ayakashi.

E25Ghouls and Rakshasas

Sep 19, 202625m

Kagari Hosho attacks Nanoka, but Mao rescues her. Kagari tracks her down and takes her to Yurako.

E26Yurako's World

Sep 26, 202625m

Yurako reveals her past as a vessel for curses in the Heian period and her first meeting with Mao.

About MAO

MAO is an animation, action & adventure, sci-fi & fantasy, mystery series on NHK G. The show first aired on Apr 4, 2026 and currently has 1 season and 26 episodes. MAO has ended. It has a rating of 8.8/10 based on 26 votes. The cast includes Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, Hiro Shimono, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Momoka Terasawa.