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MAO [マオ] #4
MAO 4
次々と出逢う摩緒のかつての兄弟子たち！
摩緒は“ある役割”のせいで
5人の陰陽師に命を狙われている事が発覚。
そんな中、「朽縄」という
顔に見覚えのある術者と
対峙する事になった。
果たして彼の正体は!？
摩緒は“ある役割”のせいで
5人の陰陽師に命を狙われている事が発覚。
そんな中、「朽縄」という
顔に見覚えのある術者と
対峙する事になった。
果たして彼の正体は!？
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2020
10 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,582 books2,141 followersRumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 6, 2022
This series is auto-buy and read for me. Period, the end. Just a HINT of romance, mostly action and mystery, but I'm really liking it and I can't wait to see what happens next! HIGHLY recommended. Strong female characters, always a plus. Gorgeous art and intriguing storyline. What more could you ask for?
5, if you haven't started this series then what are you waiting for, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book for me to read and review.
5, if you haven't started this series then what are you waiting for, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book for me to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2022
I love this series! It continues to get better with every volume. I love learning more about these characters. Takahashi has evolved so much since InuYasha, and this series shows that in spades. I highly recommend this series!
April 19, 2022
I am enjoying this series. - robot voice
March 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy!
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series! In this volume we get to see more of Mao's fellow apprentices and there is a battle between them. Mao sends Nanoka back to her time to rest and recuperate and she feels like he doesn't care much about her. But that has to be set aside because someone steals Mao's kodoku - his life source - and they have to get it back or he could die!
This volume was action packed and we got a little more backstory - which was nice! I loved all the fight scenes and how Nanoka tries to prepare before she comes back in time. Overall, this was a really fun volume and I can't wait for the next volume in the series!
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series! In this volume we get to see more of Mao's fellow apprentices and there is a battle between them. Mao sends Nanoka back to her time to rest and recuperate and she feels like he doesn't care much about her. But that has to be set aside because someone steals Mao's kodoku - his life source - and they have to get it back or he could die!
This volume was action packed and we got a little more backstory - which was nice! I loved all the fight scenes and how Nanoka tries to prepare before she comes back in time. Overall, this was a really fun volume and I can't wait for the next volume in the series!
December 22, 2021
Plus je découvre cette saga, plus j’apprécie les tomes. L’histoire est clairement de mieux en mieux et je prends plaisir à découvrir chaque tome à leurs sorties. C’est un vrai bonheur de retrouver l’univers à chaque fois. C’est une série qui au premier abord ne m’aurait pas plu, du moins c’est que je pensais. Et finalement je suis complètement accro et je dévore chaque tome avec avidité. L’histoire est plaisante mais je trouve que ce sont les personnages qui apportent ce petit truc en plus. Ils sont tous très intéressants à suivre.
Dans ce quatrième tome, Mao retrouve plusieurs disciples de son ancien clan. Mais une question le taraude, ces fameux disciples ont ils toujours les mêmes attention envers lui? Depuis plusieurs siècles, Mao est la cible de plusieurs maîtres onmyo. Ils le considèrent comme un trophée. Et depuis tout ce temps, il leur a toujours échappés sauf qu’il finit par croiser la route d’un homme capable d’utiliser les techniques de l’onmyo.. Un homme au nom de Kuchinawa dont le visage semble très familier à Mao…
J’adore cet univers, je l’ai déjà dis plusieurs fois mais vraiment j’aime beaucoup trop cette série. L’univers est hyper bien travaillé et super fascinant à découvrir. On se pose des questions encore et encore, on a parfois nos réponses, parfois non, il faut attendre un peu. Les personnages apportent vraiment ce petit quelque chose. Mao est vraiment un des meilleurs personnages. Je le trouve vraiment excellent. J’aime beaucoup aussi Nanoka, elle me fait beaucoup rire, vu qu’elle ne vient pas de la même époque, parfois ses réactions sont vraiment très drôle. Mon préféré est clairement le personnage de Otoya, il est beaucoup trop adorable. J’aime vraiment beaucoup également le personnage de Hyakka, il me fait beaucoup rire aussi!
Ce quatrième tome était, encore une fois, très plaisant à découvrir. La fin nous donne clairement envie de nous jeter sur le cinquième tome. J’ai beaucoup trop hâte de découvrir ce qu’il va se passer par la suite. Cette fin m’a vraiment laissé sur ma faim! Vivement!
Dans ce quatrième tome, Mao retrouve plusieurs disciples de son ancien clan. Mais une question le taraude, ces fameux disciples ont ils toujours les mêmes attention envers lui? Depuis plusieurs siècles, Mao est la cible de plusieurs maîtres onmyo. Ils le considèrent comme un trophée. Et depuis tout ce temps, il leur a toujours échappés sauf qu’il finit par croiser la route d’un homme capable d’utiliser les techniques de l’onmyo.. Un homme au nom de Kuchinawa dont le visage semble très familier à Mao…
J’adore cet univers, je l’ai déjà dis plusieurs fois mais vraiment j’aime beaucoup trop cette série. L’univers est hyper bien travaillé et super fascinant à découvrir. On se pose des questions encore et encore, on a parfois nos réponses, parfois non, il faut attendre un peu. Les personnages apportent vraiment ce petit quelque chose. Mao est vraiment un des meilleurs personnages. Je le trouve vraiment excellent. J’aime beaucoup aussi Nanoka, elle me fait beaucoup rire, vu qu’elle ne vient pas de la même époque, parfois ses réactions sont vraiment très drôle. Mon préféré est clairement le personnage de Otoya, il est beaucoup trop adorable. J’aime vraiment beaucoup également le personnage de Hyakka, il me fait beaucoup rire aussi!
Ce quatrième tome était, encore une fois, très plaisant à découvrir. La fin nous donne clairement envie de nous jeter sur le cinquième tome. J’ai beaucoup trop hâte de découvrir ce qu’il va se passer par la suite. Cette fin m’a vraiment laissé sur ma faim! Vivement!
February 4, 2022
I continue to be entertained by this series. Takehashi usually does a good job of making her stories engaging and immersive, and MAO is no exception. It seems we’ll continue to meet apprentices from Mao’s past while also getting more answers from the overarching plot. I like the direction this story is taking and recommend it to fan’s of historical fantasy manga.
Thanks to NetGalley and VIZ for an advanced digital copy to read and review.
Thanks to NetGalley and VIZ for an advanced digital copy to read and review.
January 31, 2022
I received an eARC through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I like when a manga gives the reader more plot and intrigue in each volume. A manga that repeats it self too much with fighting and no exposition or plot development always feels stale. Volume 4 of the Mao series does not disappoint in this way! I feel like the more I read about this world and the characters, the more questions I have. And it isn't the same question, it's always something new.
Rumiko Takahashi has been in the manga business for decades and it shows. She knows what she is doing when it comes to plot, character development, and story flow.
If you have not picked up this series yet, I highly recommend it.
I like when a manga gives the reader more plot and intrigue in each volume. A manga that repeats it self too much with fighting and no exposition or plot development always feels stale. Volume 4 of the Mao series does not disappoint in this way! I feel like the more I read about this world and the characters, the more questions I have. And it isn't the same question, it's always something new.
Rumiko Takahashi has been in the manga business for decades and it shows. She knows what she is doing when it comes to plot, character development, and story flow.
If you have not picked up this series yet, I highly recommend it.
May 24, 2022
Rating - 3.5/5
December 27, 2022
It’s nice to see more correlations to Inuyasha. :)
December 20, 2024
fino ad ora è stato il volume più emozionante.
dettagli vengono aggiunti alle tavole, un mistero si intreccia all’altro, nessuno riesce più a capire cosa accadrà in futuro (e nel presente)
dettagli vengono aggiunti alle tavole, un mistero si intreccia all’altro, nessuno riesce più a capire cosa accadrà in futuro (e nel presente)
January 31, 2022
Rumiko Takahashi has been my favorite manga author since the late 90s. I first fell in love with Ranma 1/2 then came Inu-Yasha, which is a masterpiece. Mao follows in the tradition. There is less comedy here than in previous series but everything else is has been packed into this series.
Takahashi is known for her characters and Mao and Nanoka are just as amazing as Inu-Yasha and Kagome. Fipping between present day Japan and the Japan of the early 20th century, Nanoka visits Mao in the past then returns to school in the present similar to Kagome but that is where the similarities end. Mao was a human apprentice of an onmyoji who has been cursed. Nanoka has no idea why she can travel into the past and what really happened in the accident that took her parents. When Mao meets Nanoka he knows there is more to here than just a human. Could she be the key to breaking his curse?
If you love anime and manga you will love Mao. It is sure to be a classic like other series by Takahashi-sensei.
Takahashi is known for her characters and Mao and Nanoka are just as amazing as Inu-Yasha and Kagome. Fipping between present day Japan and the Japan of the early 20th century, Nanoka visits Mao in the past then returns to school in the present similar to Kagome but that is where the similarities end. Mao was a human apprentice of an onmyoji who has been cursed. Nanoka has no idea why she can travel into the past and what really happened in the accident that took her parents. When Mao meets Nanoka he knows there is more to here than just a human. Could she be the key to breaking his curse?
If you love anime and manga you will love Mao. It is sure to be a classic like other series by Takahashi-sensei.
January 24, 2021
I love Rumiko Takahashi's art and worlds so much. Every volume of Mao so far has been such a delight; looking forward to their slow release and shipping from France has been getting me through the past year. The modern day/other world setting and mysterious monster boy lead are very similar to Inuyasha's set up but I'm not mad about it - I love the blend of nostalgia and newness this series brings me. The 1920s Japan backdrop is fun too. Fingers crossed this gets published in English soon!
October 20, 2021
bloody, action-packed, lots of battles, fight scenes, horrific, spooky, some mystery, romance,
November 11, 2022
THIS REVIEW WILL HAVE A LOT OF SPOILERS OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING.
Hyakka returns to give Mao a message that shikigami from the West have arrived looking for them. Before he told Mao that the former master was planning on sacrificing Mao, putting the other apprentices against each other in a battle of the death and whoever was left, would be his true successor. When Mao discovers that someone hired them to bring him back alive, he sets up a trap to find their identity. The monster looks familiar. Through flashbacks, it is told that a former working by the name of Mozuka used to work with Mao and the other apprentices. He thought if he worked there than he could learn someone magic, but no one would teach him. Centuries later, he looks similar but is not made of fish. He later admits that he finally learned magic and that someone taught him in exchange for him throwing Sana's beloved cat, Haimaru into a pit filled with demons, which caused him to become the demon cat known now as Byoki after eating them. (that was shocking to me). Sadly Mozuka was already dead. Once he told the backstory to Mao and Hyakka, he becomes just a skeleton. Whoever taught Mozuka magic, is the one behind the attacks.
An assassin with the spear that Mao used 900 years ago to kill Byoki is trying to get to mao. A woman, desperate to save her son, steals Mao Kodoku for the assassin in exchange for her son's life. False promise. Unfortunately, the desperate woman's son is already dead. In the upcoming fight, his Kodoku gets broken.
Mao is closed to death but somehow Nanoka was able to save him with her blood.
There are still so many questions. I can't wait to read the next volume.
Hyakka returns to give Mao a message that shikigami from the West have arrived looking for them. Before he told Mao that the former master was planning on sacrificing Mao, putting the other apprentices against each other in a battle of the death and whoever was left, would be his true successor. When Mao discovers that someone hired them to bring him back alive, he sets up a trap to find their identity. The monster looks familiar. Through flashbacks, it is told that a former working by the name of Mozuka used to work with Mao and the other apprentices. He thought if he worked there than he could learn someone magic, but no one would teach him. Centuries later, he looks similar but is not made of fish. He later admits that he finally learned magic and that someone taught him in exchange for him throwing Sana's beloved cat, Haimaru into a pit filled with demons, which caused him to become the demon cat known now as Byoki after eating them. (that was shocking to me). Sadly Mozuka was already dead. Once he told the backstory to Mao and Hyakka, he becomes just a skeleton. Whoever taught Mozuka magic, is the one behind the attacks.
An assassin with the spear that Mao used 900 years ago to kill Byoki is trying to get to mao. A woman, desperate to save her son, steals Mao Kodoku for the assassin in exchange for her son's life. False promise. Unfortunately, the desperate woman's son is already dead. In the upcoming fight, his Kodoku gets broken.
Mao is closed to death but somehow Nanoka was able to save him with her blood.
There are still so many questions. I can't wait to read the next volume.
May 16, 2023
Another amazing volume by the one and only Rumiko Takahashi. Action packed and full of intrigue. I’m digging that Mao is not a super intense hero but more of chill and serene guy, and I don’t know how to correctly express it but it somehow makes the entire group dynamic super interesting and refreshing. Also I’m not entirely sure I’ve read a manga that used Taoism as a base for its world-building (maybe I have and don’t remember) but Rumiko made me realize it was a concept I wasn’t very familiar with and definitely piqued my curiosity, enough to have me going back-and-forth doing research while I took breaks in between chapters. I’m giving this volume 5/5 stars and just before I finish this review, I just want to say that the scene where Nanoka returns to Mao and Otoya ready to help was pure comedic gold.
July 25, 2024
Masih, bahkan mungkin bisa dibilang makin menarik untuk diikuti, cerita dalam volume ini juga bisa diselesaikan sekali duduk.
Mao sudah bertemu dua orang kakak seperguruannya dan, dari bagian akhir cerita, akan terus bertemu kakak seperguruannya yang lain. Pembaca juga akhirnya mengetahui 'siapa' cikal bakal Byouki. Namun, pembaca disuguhkan lagi hal lain yang membuat penasaran, siapa yang merencanakan kelahiran Byouki? Siapa kakek Nanoka? Kenapa kakak-kakak seperguruan Mao lainnya juga tidak dapat mati, bahkan tidak tahu kenapa mereka tidak bisa mati.
Hubungan Mao dengan Nanoka juga menarik. Sejauh ini, Mao masih digambarkan hanya sekadar menolong Nanoka yang ia anggap sebagai gadis yang baik. Mao bahkan tidak ragu-ragu memercayai Nanoka bisa melawan musuh. Saya menantikan bagaimana perkembangan alur keduanya.
Mao sudah bertemu dua orang kakak seperguruannya dan, dari bagian akhir cerita, akan terus bertemu kakak seperguruannya yang lain. Pembaca juga akhirnya mengetahui 'siapa' cikal bakal Byouki. Namun, pembaca disuguhkan lagi hal lain yang membuat penasaran, siapa yang merencanakan kelahiran Byouki? Siapa kakek Nanoka? Kenapa kakak-kakak seperguruan Mao lainnya juga tidak dapat mati, bahkan tidak tahu kenapa mereka tidak bisa mati.
Hubungan Mao dengan Nanoka juga menarik. Sejauh ini, Mao masih digambarkan hanya sekadar menolong Nanoka yang ia anggap sebagai gadis yang baik. Mao bahkan tidak ragu-ragu memercayai Nanoka bisa melawan musuh. Saya menantikan bagaimana perkembangan alur keduanya.
September 19, 2022
The more I read the series the more fascinating it becomes, every volume is just adding a new layer the story the characters and the world, it's probably the best series the best world building in a manga to recently come out.
Still very much loving Mao and Kiba's dynamic as it's a platonic relationship where he is essentially trying to teach her how to defend herself from demons. I kind of prefer this over Inuyasha as there isn't a damnsel in distress and she actually complements Mao's character by working in unison with him instead of being a constant hinderance.
Still very much loving Mao and Kiba's dynamic as it's a platonic relationship where he is essentially trying to teach her how to defend herself from demons. I kind of prefer this over Inuyasha as there isn't a damnsel in distress and she actually complements Mao's character by working in unison with him instead of being a constant hinderance.
July 4, 2022
The mysteries around them deepen as Mao and Nanoka discover that more of Mao's fellow apprentices are alive and that someone long ago was willing to sacrifice all of them for some unknown goal. This volume seemed to move a little slower than the previous volumes, but that's likely because of the amount of ground work that needed to be laid for the next volume. I can't wait to find out who has been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
August 9, 2022
I am finding the entire series so far to be mid-level Takahashi. Still with fun moments, but the new ideas feel very spread out compared to something like Urusei Yatsura and I still can't tell if there is going to be any romance between the leads. It feels like far too much of an Inu Yasha re-tread even now. We'll see if something fresher will happen in subsequent volumes.
October 12, 2023
Assez bof bof finalement, ce vrai qu'on y trouve les liens manquants, c'est surtout un peu de bourrage car les combats ne se résouedent pas par une défaite ou une victoire et finalement tout est ésquivé n'mais cela n'était pas vraiment indispensable de lire ce volume après avoir lu le 5 (malheuresement je n'ai pas pu les lire dans l'ordre faute de disponibilité).
May 9, 2021
Mi sta piacendo davvero molto. Sia i personaggi, sia qualche colpo di scena inaspettato. Forse perché avevo aspettative bassissime?
March 9, 2022
4.5/5
March 17, 2022
Learned more about the origin of Biyoki; the plot thickens.
April 12, 2022
I genuinely love the mystery building up in this series. Who is after Mao?
May 1, 2022
Still very much enjoying this series. I have no complaints and can't wait to pick up volume 5!
May 29, 2022
The way that Nanoka and Mao's relationship is growing, I am really digging it. Not full blown romance but more of a respect for one another as fellow people inflicted with the curse of Byanko.
August 4, 2022
Nanoka starts fighting in this volume
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2022
A nice volume with a lot more backstory. Things are really starting to take off.
December 29, 2022
This was such an exciting volume! I’m super excited to continue with this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews