Forum - View topicEP. REVIEW: MAO
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Wyvern
 Posts: 1790 |
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While the Inuyasha comparisons are inevitable and deserved, Mao feels to me like Takahashi taking the opportunity to explore several ideas that didn't meet their full potential in Inuyasha. She's done that with other series before, sometimes to great success (for instance, Ranma was inspired by a supporting character from Urusei Yatsura.)
It's also worth pointing out that for manga readers, eleven years passed between the end of Inuyasha and the start of Mao, with Takahashi publishing an entire series (Rin-ne, which was more of a throwback to her earlier work with its episodic comedy) inbetween those two series. So for readers of her work, I think Mao felt less like "oh no, she's doing Inuyasha again" and more like Takahashi returning to fantasy-adventure after focusing on humor for a decade. Last edited by Wyvern on Tue Apr 21, 2026 6:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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explodingpompoms
 Posts: 21 |
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My thought upon watching episode 3 was that this was going to settle into a semi "supernatural mystery-of-the-week" structure albeit possibly connected/justified by the Byoki search - I'm curious if the reviewer is speaking from knowledge of the manga when saying that it won't, or if that's also a guess. Or maybe this is just talking about anime-only filler in which case I understand.
I never actually watched or read Inuyasha (although I've picked up some knowledge through osmosis), but I'm having a good enough time with this for now |
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MKVarana
 Posts: 105 |
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As someone who also reads the manga, I can say that the Inuyasha parallels are superficial, in spite of how prominent they look this early. (I did make almost the same joke as the article when describing it to my sister the other day, though :p)
I see Mao as more of Takahashi-sensei finally exercising her love for Kodokus to the full extent, than anything...lol. |
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TsukinoSpoon
Posts: 41 |
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As a manga reader, if there's one thing that MAO does do well compared to Inuyasha, it's the use of the historical setting in the narrative. Major historical events play pretty significant roles in the overarching mystery (including one of the big arcs about to happen in the anime), and quite a few story arcs are directly inspired by social trends and conflicts during that time period. I like that the dates matter and you can actually go back and look at what served as inspiration for the basis of many of the stories.
It definitely doesn't feel like window dressing compared to some other series that took place during the same period...not naming names of course lol... Last edited by TsukinoSpoon on Tue Apr 21, 2026 6:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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TsukinoSpoon
Posts: 41 |
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This is also very true! The premise is very similar to Inuyasha, but the actual story switches up pretty early on (probably in the next 2 or 3 episodes, depending how they adapt volume 2 and 3. |
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SinisterOracle
Posts: 847 |
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I’m thoroughly enjoying MAO and am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
I’m surprised that Kaoru Wada didn’t compose the music since he did for InuYasha and the Ranma 1/2 remake. |
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BeanBeanKingdom
Posts: 46 |
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Very apt take from the reviewer and yeah, Mao gradually ends up differentiating itself from Inuyasha in all those aspects. The mystery element in particular is very strong and intriguing.
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SrkSano
 Posts: 276 |
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I too wish that Rumiko Takahashi would do something other than dealing with the supernatural which is all she does lately. It's nice when Sunrise animates it though since they always improve on the monster designs. I'll still watch anything with her name on it. She always does humor that's universal and translates to any language. Honestly every aspect of her work is like that. I guess am enjoying Mao for what it is, but I still wish it was something else.
Love the almost Bollywood intro song! |
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TsukinoSpoon
Posts: 41 |
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Just watched episode 4 and to call this adaptation faithful would be an understatement!
I liked that we got to see a little more about the rules of cast-cursing and some insight into onmyodou. I know the manga gets a lot heavier into this in the coming story arcs, but it's nice to see the foundational stuff animated. The next episode should be really fun, looking forward to it! |
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BeanBeanKingdom
Posts: 46 |
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Regarding the mystery-solving aspect, it's worth remembering that these cases that only take up one episode in the anime are usually four or so chapters long in the manga, so readers following it weekly have time to come up with theories before the answer is given. This is necessarily lost in the anime, although the overarching series-long mystery will give anime viewers a lot to mull over too.
Unrelated, but I suggest checking out the full version of the ED song. The first verse and chorus that are used in the anime feel slow and nostalgic like one of the early Inuyasha EDs, but it unexpectedly goes crazy after that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lkpnQFgjbs |
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MagicPolly
 Posts: 1735 |
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This caught me so off guard lol, after the ED part it just turns into a completely different song |
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BeanBeanKingdom
Posts: 46 |
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The review is quite right about the pacing. You'll find out that Rumiko is pretty good at stringing you along just long enough to raise the stakes before whetting your appetite with some answers while leaving you wanting for more with further questions.
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TsukinoSpoon
Posts: 41 |
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Episode 5 was probably my favorite so far! The animation was great, the tension and pacing was good, and it was fun to see a little bit more onmyodou lore get discussed on screen.
Episode 6 was good, great even, but I can’t help but feel like the byoki reveal was weaker compared to the manga. Maybe it was the lack of music for most of the confrontation or something. Still, a solid episode and I’m looking forward to how the rest of the episodes play out. This is really where the story starts in some ways, and it’ll be fun to see all the rest of the characters and mystery play out. |
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MagicPolly
Posts: 1735 |
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I'm excited to finally meet the rest of the cast in the next few episodes! When they show up is when the story really started picking up for me in the manga. I honestly forgot how lonely the early parts of the story felt with just Mao and Nanoka.
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MKVarana
Posts: 105 |
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Yeah, I'd say everything before this point was basically the "prologue", and the main story really begins now. |
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