AnimeManga Explosion MAO Anime & Manga Special

The ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION documentary series (NHK World TV) dives deep into the artistry of the creators behind Japanese manga and anime that electrify audiences worldwide.

On March 22nd 2026, ANIME MANGA EXPLOSION airs a special episode about the manga and anime MAO. This dark fantasy from legendary manga artist Takahashi Rumiko has been serialized since 2019. The story features protagonist MAO, an onmyoji divination expert who has been kept alive by a curse for 900 years, and heroine Kiba Nanoka, who has time traveled to the Taisho era a century into the past, and they join forces to chase down the mystery behind the curse. The Anime Manga Explosion production team sent Takahashi Rumiko questions about her vision behind the MAO manga, and she replied with handwritten letters. We explore the appeal of MAO based on Takahashi's responses, including the theme of curses; the “cool” protagonist who can't play comic relief, not usually seen in Takahashi's works; and a heroine whose personality is the complete opposite of his.

Plus, our cameras go behind the scenes for the anime production for MAO, which begins airing in Japan on NHK from April 4th, and we share our in-depth sneak peek before the broadcast. Director Sato Teruo previously handled storyboarding and episode directing for Inuyasha. On this production, he has focused on capturing the manga's distinctive story within the unique sensibilities of time offered by anime, while respecting the universe created by the manga. We show the anime- specific techniques and creative touches that Sato used to keep viewers engaged.

Character designer and chief animation director Hishinuma Yoshihito has brought Takahashi's artwork to life in the animation. He's been working as an animator for 40 years and makes his first- ever TV appearance in our show, and he talks about his process of creating character design sheets and his involvement in the animation itself. Detailed character design sheets are critical for creating the multiple camera angles and dynamic character movements in anime, and the roughly 160 animators draw the characters using those design sheets as their reference. Find out how Hishinuma consulted the manga artwork to create designs that capture everything from character proportions to facial expressions and clothing details, and witness the continual quest for the best way to draw the characters in the key frame artwork.

We also delve into the work of the background art team, who are critical for convincingly creating the settings across three eras: Heian, Taisho and present day. Plus, find out how the director of photography plays a vital role in creating the dark fantasy aesthetic.

Don't miss this in-depth look into how passionate creators turn the manga world into animation.

Broadcast schedule:

March 22, 2026 (Sun) NHK World TV

28-minute episode broadcast from 12:10, 18:10, 23:10, and next day 5:10 (Japan time)

Free VOD streaming on the NHK World Japan website from the following day. See the viewing guide for details: https://www3.NHK.or.jp/nhkworld/ja/tv/howto_watch_in_japan/

Featuring: Sato Teruo (Director), Hishinuma Yoshihito (Character Designer, Chief Animation Director), Kato Hiroshi (Art Director), Hoki Izumi (Art Director), Fushihara Akane (Director of Photography)

Narrator: Michael Turpin

Official website: https://www3.NHK.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/anime_manga/