Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, and more join the upcoming anime’s cast.
The popular manga series MAO (Mao), by Rumiko Takahashi has just received a TV anime adaptation. The official website and new X (formerly Twitter) account of the series has revealed the news. A new trailer and key visual have been released, along with details about the main cast and production staff. The anime is set to premiere in Spring 2026, although a definitive release date remains unknown.
MAO anime cast, staff, and other details
The main cast of the anime includes:
- Mao voiced by Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia)
- Nanoka Kiba voiced by Natsumi Kawaida (Himari Momochi in The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Hiroto Ichinomiya in Laid-Back Camp)
- Hyakka voiced by Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu Agatsuma in Demon Slayer, Dabi in My Hero Academia)
- Kamon voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Jun'ichirō Tanizaki in Bungo Stray Dogs, Mitsuki Kiryu in Wind Breaker)
The series is being directed by Teruo Sato at studio Sunrise. Other production staff includes:
- Series Composition: Yuko Kakihara
- Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma
- Art Director: Hiroshi Kato, Izumi Hoki
- Colour Design: Masumi Otsuka
- CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie
- Director of Photography: Akane Fusehara
- Editor: Kazuhiro Arai
- Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta
- Music Composer: Shu Kanematsu
The author of the original manga series Rumiko Takahashi expressed her happiness and gratitude about the anime adaptation. She also commented on how great the voice actors are and asked fans to enjoy it. Viz Media publishes the manga in English and describes the story as:
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!
