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MAO [マオ] #1
Mao, Vol. 1
EXORCISE YOUR DESTINY
When Nanoka travels back in time to a supernatural early 20th century, she gets recruited by aloof exorcist Mao. What is the thread of fate that connects them? Together, they seek answers...and kick some demon butt along the way!
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...!
When Nanoka travels back in time to a supernatural early 20th century, she gets recruited by aloof exorcist Mao. What is the thread of fate that connects them? Together, they seek answers...and kick some demon butt along the way!
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...!
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2019
33 people are currently reading
2261 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,587 books2,143 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 225 reviews
December 19, 2021
4.5 stars
A very strong start to what promises to be an engaging, charming and magical story. I went into this manga completely blind and have never read anything by the mangaka before so I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this historical fantasy.
We follow a schoolgirl named Nanoka who passes through a shopping precinct (of sorts) and ends up transporting back in time to the Taisho era where she meets an aloof and somewhat blunt exorcist named Mao and his “apprentice”, Otoya wo is adorable!
When she returns to present day she finds she possesses some new abilities (e.g. running incredibly fast and leaping on to rooftops!) which is somehow connected to the time she spent with Mao and Otoya.
What is also very intriguing is Nanoka’s backstory - she was in a car accident where both her parents perished yet she was outside the car (despite the car being locked) and lying in the sinkhole that opened up beneath the car! It was here she saw a demon…
And this same demon may be Byoki - the cat demon who has cursed Mao and his sword. However, Mao is the only person who should be able to wield it but when Nanoka uses it when they are facing a spider demon, the two of them may share the same curse! *gulps*
I loved the story, the artwork and the lead characters who are all precious in their own way and I can’t wait to follow them on their next adventures <3
A very strong start to what promises to be an engaging, charming and magical story. I went into this manga completely blind and have never read anything by the mangaka before so I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this historical fantasy.
We follow a schoolgirl named Nanoka who passes through a shopping precinct (of sorts) and ends up transporting back in time to the Taisho era where she meets an aloof and somewhat blunt exorcist named Mao and his “apprentice”, Otoya wo is adorable!
When she returns to present day she finds she possesses some new abilities (e.g. running incredibly fast and leaping on to rooftops!) which is somehow connected to the time she spent with Mao and Otoya.
What is also very intriguing is Nanoka’s backstory - she was in a car accident where both her parents perished yet she was outside the car (despite the car being locked) and lying in the sinkhole that opened up beneath the car! It was here she saw a demon…
And this same demon may be Byoki - the cat demon who has cursed Mao and his sword. However, Mao is the only person who should be able to wield it but when Nanoka uses it when they are facing a spider demon, the two of them may share the same curse! *gulps*
I loved the story, the artwork and the lead characters who are all precious in their own way and I can’t wait to follow them on their next adventures <3
September 13, 2021
A classic Takahashi manga, not as silly as Ranma or Maison Ikkoku or but not as horror-filled as the Mermaid Saga. this one looks like more of a action-packed mystery series, run through with themes and creatures from Japanese mythology. On the one hand, the fact that the POV character doesn't know much about the mythological world and its rules allows for a nice structure of the large amount of exposition this world needs. On the other hand, the other characters (especially Mao) don't tell Nanoka (our POV character) enough to be safe in the universe and understand her place in it. Is this lazy writing to ratchet up dramatic tension? Or is there a deeper reason why Mao might not fully trust Nanoka? Time will undoubtedly tell.....
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2021
Mao is the latest series from manga great Rumiko Takahashi. At first glance it has elements of both of her most recent titles: Mao himself is an exorcist (similarly to Rinne) and he's involved with yokai a la Inu Yasha, with whom he may also share an originating time period. Meanwhile heroine Nanoka goes back in time like Kagome while sporting Akane's hair. It is, in many ways, classic Takahashi, which may or may not sit well with readers.
There are a lot of very interesting elements here, however. Nanoka is the sole survivor of a car wreck that occurred when a sinkhole opened up underneath her family's car, killing her parents. Nanoka's only memories of that day are seeing what looked like an old-fashioned street burning and a giant monster towering over it all. When she returns to the area where the sinkhole opened up, she's whisked away to Taisho 12...AKA 1923. If you know your history, that's the year of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which did, in fact, involve fires like the one she glimpsed as a child. That the main action of Nanoka's story is going to involve the Great Kanto Earthquake seems like a foregone conclusion, both from her memories and from the introduction of cult-leading "psychic" who is predicting something that sounds awfully similar.
Both Nanoka and Mao may have been cursed by the same yokai, a cat monster named Byoki. In Mao's case, the cat's attempt to take over his life resulted in his immortality, and he's been wandering the earth since what looks like the Heian era, although it could be as late as the Sengoku period. What Byoki did to Nanoka is still unknown, but now that the two of them are working together, there's real potential here. There's also no guarantee that it won't devolve into another same-old, same-old series from the creator, but we should at least get a few good volumes before that happens.
There are a lot of very interesting elements here, however. Nanoka is the sole survivor of a car wreck that occurred when a sinkhole opened up underneath her family's car, killing her parents. Nanoka's only memories of that day are seeing what looked like an old-fashioned street burning and a giant monster towering over it all. When she returns to the area where the sinkhole opened up, she's whisked away to Taisho 12...AKA 1923. If you know your history, that's the year of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which did, in fact, involve fires like the one she glimpsed as a child. That the main action of Nanoka's story is going to involve the Great Kanto Earthquake seems like a foregone conclusion, both from her memories and from the introduction of cult-leading "psychic" who is predicting something that sounds awfully similar.
Both Nanoka and Mao may have been cursed by the same yokai, a cat monster named Byoki. In Mao's case, the cat's attempt to take over his life resulted in his immortality, and he's been wandering the earth since what looks like the Heian era, although it could be as late as the Sengoku period. What Byoki did to Nanoka is still unknown, but now that the two of them are working together, there's real potential here. There's also no guarantee that it won't devolve into another same-old, same-old series from the creator, but we should at least get a few good volumes before that happens.
January 9, 2022
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
This was such a good start to the series!
I haven’t read a manga in a long time so it was nice to finally be able to read one again. I haven’t read anything from Rumiko Takahashi, so I can’t say how this compares to her other books.
The art style is very simple, but classic. There’s something a little old school and retro about it that I liked.
As for the storyline, I was very intrigued by it. It’s fast paced and there’s a lot of mystery and fantasy action and adventure that kept me turning the pages.
Overall, I really enjoyed this volume and am excited to read the next installment and see how the rest of the story unfolds.
This was such a good start to the series!
I haven’t read a manga in a long time so it was nice to finally be able to read one again. I haven’t read anything from Rumiko Takahashi, so I can’t say how this compares to her other books.
The art style is very simple, but classic. There’s something a little old school and retro about it that I liked.
As for the storyline, I was very intrigued by it. It’s fast paced and there’s a lot of mystery and fantasy action and adventure that kept me turning the pages.
Overall, I really enjoyed this volume and am excited to read the next installment and see how the rest of the story unfolds.
January 7, 2023
Inuyasha is one of my absolute favorite stories. I've watched the anime multiple times and I think the manga is gorgeous. Rumiko Takahashi is incredibly talented.
When I saw this, relatively new, series with characters looking like Inuyasha and a demon-fighting plotline, I was immediately into it.
I got the first volume for Christmas and I've been saving it. (I do that with books sometimes.) I finally allowed myself to read it and loved it as much as I thought I would. Nanako travels back in time to 19th-century Japan and meets Mao, a mysterious exorcist. They are somehow connected and it could be related to a vicious cat demon that cursed Mao centuries ago.
I already want to rush out and buy every single volume available.
When I saw this, relatively new, series with characters looking like Inuyasha and a demon-fighting plotline, I was immediately into it.
I got the first volume for Christmas and I've been saving it. (I do that with books sometimes.) I finally allowed myself to read it and loved it as much as I thought I would. Nanako travels back in time to 19th-century Japan and meets Mao, a mysterious exorcist. They are somehow connected and it could be related to a vicious cat demon that cursed Mao centuries ago.
I already want to rush out and buy every single volume available.
July 26, 2021
What a solid start to a new series from this mangaka. It has the feel that is influenced at least, if not connected to the Inuyasha world.
Nanoka was in a tragic accident as a young girl in which her parents died, and technically, she should have died also. One day, she walks through a gate, and is transported back in time, just in time to be attacked by a Yokai.
Thankfully, a man named Mao is there, and he rescues her. He himself has been cursed by a Yokai, and is looking for said Yokai to lift the curse from him.
This looks like it's going to feel a lot like their other fantasy works, and I am incredibly excited!!
Nanoka was in a tragic accident as a young girl in which her parents died, and technically, she should have died also. One day, she walks through a gate, and is transported back in time, just in time to be attacked by a Yokai.
Thankfully, a man named Mao is there, and he rescues her. He himself has been cursed by a Yokai, and is looking for said Yokai to lift the curse from him.
This looks like it's going to feel a lot like their other fantasy works, and I am incredibly excited!!
May 10, 2022
A perfectly decent juvenile fantasy by Rumiko Takahashi. It's one of those basic things, where an orphan, Nanoka Kiba, discovers she has hidden powers and stumbles into the quest of a grim man named Mao whose origin may be tied to hers. Together, they're detectives! Various supernatural beings pop up regularly to be fought, vanquished, or befriended.
Again, it's not bad, but I just can't find any enthusiasm inside me to continue with the series.
Again, it's not bad, but I just can't find any enthusiasm inside me to continue with the series.
September 2, 2024
Rumiko never fails to amaze me!
This manga has some similarities to InuYasha, which growing up reading/watching InuYasha this manga feels so nostalgic!
A girl traveling back in time and runs into an exorcist who just happens to be cursed by the same kodoku.
The mission is to exorcise the demon to break the curse.
Super excited to start a new manga. I’m loving this.
This manga has some similarities to InuYasha, which growing up reading/watching InuYasha this manga feels so nostalgic!
A girl traveling back in time and runs into an exorcist who just happens to be cursed by the same kodoku.
The mission is to exorcise the demon to break the curse.
Super excited to start a new manga. I’m loving this.
December 25, 2024
(1) Rumiko did it again! The story is so smooth and easy to understand!
(2) It doesn't break any new ground but it is still an enjoyable series-opener!
(2) It doesn't break any new ground but it is still an enjoyable series-opener!
September 18, 2021
It's interesting to come to this series after having read dozens of volumes of Takahashi's work. It's iterative, to say the least, this time mostly with Inuyasha as a basis. There's the portal fantasy with the time traveler being a high school girl, horror elements, sword fights with a magical sword. There's Mao, an emotionally distant, good-looking boy to be an intermediary between Nanoka and the mystical Taisho era she's thrown into.
I wonder what a new reader would think of this. On its surface, the art doesn't have the glossy appeal of most current shonen manga, and Takahashi's style hasn't evolved substantially for at least 25 years, giving this a rather retro feeling. It's much less energetic and/or horny than Urusei Yatsura or Ranma 1/2, but that stands to reason, as this is by a Takahashi in her 60s, rather than one in her 20s or 30s.
As always, I enjoy slowing down to catch little details, like the yokai who are background characters in one scene. I also like how the plot details are slowly accruing.
I feel like this series could be rather short and punchy if it wanted to, maybe ten or fifteen volumes as Mao and Nanoka catch up to their common foe who has torn up their lives. But this is a Takahashi shonen manga, so I more expect it to play out its initial planning in the first few volumes, and then run in place with monsters of the week and an increasingly bloated cast for another 30. Well, at this point I know what I'm signing up for, and at this early stage, that's by no means a bad thing. 3 1/2 stars, rounded up.
I wonder what a new reader would think of this. On its surface, the art doesn't have the glossy appeal of most current shonen manga, and Takahashi's style hasn't evolved substantially for at least 25 years, giving this a rather retro feeling. It's much less energetic and/or horny than Urusei Yatsura or Ranma 1/2, but that stands to reason, as this is by a Takahashi in her 60s, rather than one in her 20s or 30s.
As always, I enjoy slowing down to catch little details, like the yokai who are background characters in one scene. I also like how the plot details are slowly accruing.
I feel like this series could be rather short and punchy if it wanted to, maybe ten or fifteen volumes as Mao and Nanoka catch up to their common foe who has torn up their lives. But this is a Takahashi shonen manga, so I more expect it to play out its initial planning in the first few volumes, and then run in place with monsters of the week and an increasingly bloated cast for another 30. Well, at this point I know what I'm signing up for, and at this early stage, that's by no means a bad thing. 3 1/2 stars, rounded up.
August 29, 2021
Rumiko Takahashi does it again with this action-packed fantasy manga series!
Ranma 1/2 was the very first manga I ever read, and since then I've been a huge fan of Rumiko Takahashi's work. She is one of the most prolific manga creators of all time- and Mao is sure to be another hit!
This manga follow Nanoka as she deals with the mystery of what happened to her in the fatal car accident she was in as a child. Mao is the exorcist who reluctantly helps her- and I already love their dynamic and banter. The artwork is top grade, and pulls you in from the first page.
There is some gruesome violence, so this is for young adult or older readers. But the trademark humor of this author is always present, and the rich world of yokai comes alive in this thrilling manga!
Ranma 1/2 was the very first manga I ever read, and since then I've been a huge fan of Rumiko Takahashi's work. She is one of the most prolific manga creators of all time- and Mao is sure to be another hit!
This manga follow Nanoka as she deals with the mystery of what happened to her in the fatal car accident she was in as a child. Mao is the exorcist who reluctantly helps her- and I already love their dynamic and banter. The artwork is top grade, and pulls you in from the first page.
There is some gruesome violence, so this is for young adult or older readers. But the trademark humor of this author is always present, and the rich world of yokai comes alive in this thrilling manga!
January 27, 2023
This book is written and illustrated by the author of Inuyasha, and you can immediately tell not just from the illustrations, but just the vibe of the story. It almost feels like a spinoff of Inuyasha, in terms of girl travels back in time (20th century)
The characters are still very unique and interesting. I absolutely love Mao and want to know more about him. His creepy little sidekick is adorable and weird.
I will say there are a few scenes that I found were under played. Especially when the main character revealed a few things about herself that she didn’t know about. Even though she does seem curious, and wants to find out what’s going on, she also easily excepts it. There are parts of the story that you feel a little slow, and I still don’t quite understand the overall arc on where this story is going to go, but I am interested in picking up volume two and seeing What happens next!
If you like Inuyasha and enjoy adventure stories with youkai (demons) and spirits. Then this is a manga that I think you should try!
The characters are still very unique and interesting. I absolutely love Mao and want to know more about him. His creepy little sidekick is adorable and weird.
I will say there are a few scenes that I found were under played. Especially when the main character revealed a few things about herself that she didn’t know about. Even though she does seem curious, and wants to find out what’s going on, she also easily excepts it. There are parts of the story that you feel a little slow, and I still don’t quite understand the overall arc on where this story is going to go, but I am interested in picking up volume two and seeing What happens next!
If you like Inuyasha and enjoy adventure stories with youkai (demons) and spirits. Then this is a manga that I think you should try!
May 8, 2022
I’m surprised that this first volume is so good. I didn’t know if I want to collect this manga, but I’m sure I can do it. I remember when I watched “Inu Yasha”, checked how much volumes are - until the end and I realised that I can’t have them. Because they are many, different editions and out of stock. So now we can catch every release volume ( from this story) . This feeling when I read is so familiar with watching “Inu Yasha”. And not because the main character name is in the title. haha I’m kidding 🤭 . They are familiar with the aesthetics, riveting story, the pace of development, time travel, the mystery, confusing events, the power body - physical ability.
Very interesting supplement is the Thaisho Era. It’s a period in Japanese history from 1912 to 1926.
Very interesting supplement is the Thaisho Era. It’s a period in Japanese history from 1912 to 1926.
June 22, 2024
4 stars
I love Inuyasha and Mermaid Saga is one of my favorite manga series, so I thought checking out Mao would be right up my alley. I was right! I am so glad that I checked this one out from the library because I'm excited to continue and follow this series because the plot is incredibly interesting. Nanoka is the survivor of a freak accident as a child and winds up encountering the exorcist Mao and his companion as they are fighting a demon. I love the dynamic with Mao and Nanoka and the plot is interesting as well as involving the fantasy/horror elements that I've come to love from Rumiko Takahashi.
I love Inuyasha and Mermaid Saga is one of my favorite manga series, so I thought checking out Mao would be right up my alley. I was right! I am so glad that I checked this one out from the library because I'm excited to continue and follow this series because the plot is incredibly interesting. Nanoka is the survivor of a freak accident as a child and winds up encountering the exorcist Mao and his companion as they are fighting a demon. I love the dynamic with Mao and Nanoka and the plot is interesting as well as involving the fantasy/horror elements that I've come to love from Rumiko Takahashi.
April 4, 2022
After reading Inuyasha I decided to jump into her newest work Mao, which resembles a lot of Inuyasha's feel and world.
A girl who can travel between two worlds (Sounds familiar?) who meets a mysterious guy who has amazing powers and uses a sword (EHHHHH!?) And this man is able to take down demons while having a demon inside himself? (Come on now!) But in reality this is just a girl who can jump back into time, around the early 1900's.
Overall, it's pretty cool. But kind of just there. I didn't get attached to any of the characters or motivations of why they do what they do. The main lead is cool enough and interesting to see where they go, what their hidden power means, what happened to her family, and so on. But I wasn't fully invested into the storyline of these characters yet, maybe a little bored at times.
A 3 out of 5.
A girl who can travel between two worlds (Sounds familiar?) who meets a mysterious guy who has amazing powers and uses a sword (EHHHHH!?) And this man is able to take down demons while having a demon inside himself? (Come on now!) But in reality this is just a girl who can jump back into time, around the early 1900's.
Overall, it's pretty cool. But kind of just there. I didn't get attached to any of the characters or motivations of why they do what they do. The main lead is cool enough and interesting to see where they go, what their hidden power means, what happened to her family, and so on. But I wasn't fully invested into the storyline of these characters yet, maybe a little bored at times.
A 3 out of 5.
September 3, 2022
This review will be for the whole series; read at your own risk!
Read 6 volumes
InuYasha: Turning Back Time is one of my all-time favorite mangas/animes so it should come as no surprise that I loved this! It's a similar premise, but feels like a mashup of Inuyasha and Takahashi-sensei's other series, Rin-ne, Vol. 1. But so far I like the mystery and I like our characters. They don't quite have the charm of the Inuyasha characters, but I like them well enough. I look forward to more!
I like the plot of this and how quickly it's moving. I hope it won't be a million volumes long like Inuyasha!
Edit 2/11/22: I'm so intrigued with this mystery! What did Mao do?! And what's up with these other guys?? And
Read 6 volumes
InuYasha: Turning Back Time is one of my all-time favorite mangas/animes so it should come as no surprise that I loved this! It's a similar premise, but feels like a mashup of Inuyasha and Takahashi-sensei's other series, Rin-ne, Vol. 1. But so far I like the mystery and I like our characters. They don't quite have the charm of the Inuyasha characters, but I like them well enough. I look forward to more!
I like the plot of this and how quickly it's moving. I hope it won't be a million volumes long like Inuyasha!
Edit 2/11/22: I'm so intrigued with this mystery! What did Mao do?! And what's up with these other guys?? And
January 28, 2022
Read this today before work, and really enjoyed it! There are definitely a lot of similarities to Inuyasha, however the differences are what makes this stand out. Definitely interested to continue Nanoka’s story!
September 21, 2021
It feels so surreal starting Volume 1 of Rumiko Takahaski’s newest series. My love for manga began seventeen years ago, at the wee age of 11, when trying to flip through as many pages of InuYasha as I could during “CPR” (Chargers Prepared to Read). AND NOW IT IS 2021 & JUST WOW. All these years later, I get to be reminded—yet again—of why she will always be my forever favorite manga artist. My happy heart is so looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 14, 2021
I went into this manga blind, the only thing I knew was that the author wrote Inuyasha (which I've never seen or read). This single issue kept me invested from beginning to end. I enjoyed all the character and I'm intrigued to see how their relationship grows from here. The plot I very much enjoyed and I can see it being an over-arcing plot for many volumes to come.
March 29, 2025
小学館社ありがとう！！
今週の無料コミックは高橋留美子先生の作品だ!なぜ？犬夜叉のアニメは新しい話になるからだ！！！きゃあああああ！！犬夜叉と殺生丸の娘たちの話になるんだ！楽しみ！！今年の十月に始まるの! 嬉しい！楽しみ！
このシリーズは全然関係ないんだけど面白かった。すごく高橋先生っポイ。他の読んだシリーズにとってはちょっと違う。このシリーズに男の方は冷静。可笑しいな。：）
一巻だけは無料ので二巻を読むのは次巻かかるね。。。。
今週の無料コミックは高橋留美子先生の作品だ!なぜ？犬夜叉のアニメは新しい話になるからだ！！！きゃあああああ！！犬夜叉と殺生丸の娘たちの話になるんだ！楽しみ！！今年の十月に始まるの! 嬉しい！楽しみ！
このシリーズは全然関係ないんだけど面白かった。すごく高橋先生っポイ。他の読んだシリーズにとってはちょっと違う。このシリーズに男の方は冷静。可笑しいな。：）
一巻だけは無料ので二巻を読むのは次巻かかるね。。。。
June 29, 2021
3.5 Stars
Thank you Viz Media LLC for the review copy.
Having read through Mermaid Saga, Ranma and Inu Yasha I was immediately interested when I saw this manga. One of the things I like about Rumiko Takahashi is that her stories are easy to track, even when they span many volumes and loads of characters. Her books are paced well so you don’t loose track of the story and characters are introduced gradually so you don’t feel like you are losing track of them.
Visually Rumiko Takahashi art style has never been my favourite, but I appreciate how clear the panels are. There is something nice about following the pages without having clustered panels.
I read through the first volume quickly and have feel like I ‘know’ the main characters, even though there is still plenty of mystery. As a first volume I think this book sets up everything nicely. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Thank you Viz Media LLC for the review copy.
Having read through Mermaid Saga, Ranma and Inu Yasha I was immediately interested when I saw this manga. One of the things I like about Rumiko Takahashi is that her stories are easy to track, even when they span many volumes and loads of characters. Her books are paced well so you don’t loose track of the story and characters are introduced gradually so you don’t feel like you are losing track of them.
Visually Rumiko Takahashi art style has never been my favourite, but I appreciate how clear the panels are. There is something nice about following the pages without having clustered panels.
I read through the first volume quickly and have feel like I ‘know’ the main characters, even though there is still plenty of mystery. As a first volume I think this book sets up everything nicely. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
March 2, 2025
I rate this 4.5 stars.
This is my 5th Rumiko Takahashi series, I have finished completely are Inuyasha (watching the anime) and Mermaid Saga and enjoyed them. I have also watched the 80s Ranma 1/2 anime and read some of the manga volumes. I have read vol. 1 of Rinne as well, but I couldn’t get into it so I never continued it (so maybe I shouldn’t count it as reading one of her series).
I enjoyed this volume, it reminded me of Inuyasha and I felt nostalgic and happy reading this. I will definitely continue this series.
I do wonder why the main character in her series always has to travel to the past in a school uniform. At least after the first couple of times wear a longer skirt or something so that you don’t stick out so easily (especially Kagome with her tiny skirt). It’s a small thing but it always bothered me considering the time periods and most of the characters usually end up ignoring it like it’s no big deal.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
This is my 5th Rumiko Takahashi series, I have finished completely are Inuyasha (watching the anime) and Mermaid Saga and enjoyed them. I have also watched the 80s Ranma 1/2 anime and read some of the manga volumes. I have read vol. 1 of Rinne as well, but I couldn’t get into it so I never continued it (so maybe I shouldn’t count it as reading one of her series).
I enjoyed this volume, it reminded me of Inuyasha and I felt nostalgic and happy reading this. I will definitely continue this series.
I do wonder why the main character in her series always has to travel to the past in a school uniform. At least after the first couple of times wear a longer skirt or something so that you don’t stick out so easily (especially Kagome with her tiny skirt). It’s a small thing but it always bothered me considering the time periods and most of the characters usually end up ignoring it like it’s no big deal.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
October 30, 2021
Absolutely LOVED this one. I have brushed against this author's work before when I was younger and enjoyed everything of their's that I read/saw, so am not surprised that I also love this.
I like that while the MC h is a high school girl and the MC H is a broody-type hero, it's more action and mystery oriented, rather than romance. There is a HINT there, but just a tease, which is refreshing. The mystery with the MC h is much more interesting to me than a romance to be front and center.
Honestly, I don't want to say much because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so all I am going to say is, get and read this one if you enjoy manga and like action and mystery with a hint of possible romance.
5, I need the entire rest of the series now, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I like that while the MC h is a high school girl and the MC H is a broody-type hero, it's more action and mystery oriented, rather than romance. There is a HINT there, but just a tease, which is refreshing. The mystery with the MC h is much more interesting to me than a romance to be front and center.
Honestly, I don't want to say much because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so all I am going to say is, get and read this one if you enjoy manga and like action and mystery with a hint of possible romance.
5, I need the entire rest of the series now, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
While it reminded me a lot of Inuyasha (my favorite of Rumiko’s works), it was almost too similar where it currently feels like it's riding the older series's coattails.
A young 15 year old girl travels through time accidentally where she comes across a boy who she reluctantly teams up with, before the pair start a journey that starts because of a pearl/jewel. In the modern world, girl's family is making up silly medical reasons for why girl suddenly misses so much school.
The biggest difference so far is that Map is much more stern and serious than Inuyasha, so if Sesshomaru was the protagonist instead.
I do hope the future volumes differ more, though it does have me curious on if Rumiko is just exploring other ideas she had regarding Inuyasha.
A young 15 year old girl travels through time accidentally where she comes across a boy who she reluctantly teams up with, before the pair start a journey that starts because of a pearl/jewel. In the modern world, girl's family is making up silly medical reasons for why girl suddenly misses so much school.
The biggest difference so far is that Map is much more stern and serious than Inuyasha, so if Sesshomaru was the protagonist instead.
I do hope the future volumes differ more, though it does have me curious on if Rumiko is just exploring other ideas she had regarding Inuyasha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
4.2/5
Interesting story!!
This is one the popular series here so when I saw it was a horror type manga I had to check it out.
I loved the past/present set, I have to say that for a person who's not a huge history fan, this is always the perfect mix to enjoy the experience.
The characters are great, so is the art. I really liked as well that is based on all the yokai folklore so it's definitely a unique read. Thanks to this there's a good amount of splatter, horror and mystery.
The plot seems very interesting and entertaining. What I wasn't a fan of was the constat jump here and there between scenes, especially towards the end. When the characters are separated from each other, we still follow both their adventures at the same time, having the story going from a character to the other not in a specific moment, making the read sometimes a little confusing.
Interesting story!!
This is one the popular series here so when I saw it was a horror type manga I had to check it out.
I loved the past/present set, I have to say that for a person who's not a huge history fan, this is always the perfect mix to enjoy the experience.
The characters are great, so is the art. I really liked as well that is based on all the yokai folklore so it's definitely a unique read. Thanks to this there's a good amount of splatter, horror and mystery.
The plot seems very interesting and entertaining. What I wasn't a fan of was the constat jump here and there between scenes, especially towards the end. When the characters are separated from each other, we still follow both their adventures at the same time, having the story going from a character to the other not in a specific moment, making the read sometimes a little confusing.
January 13, 2022
Rating: 4 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Shonen
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yeah
I really haven't read any of her work. I was introduced to her when I began Inuyasha way back in the early 2000s. It had first came to the US. I loved it and it held close to my heart. So I thought to give this manga a go.
I liked it enough. It feels familiar and I like the characters. The story is paced nicely and I can't wait to read the second volume.
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Shonen
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yeah
I really haven't read any of her work. I was introduced to her when I began Inuyasha way back in the early 2000s. It had first came to the US. I loved it and it held close to my heart. So I thought to give this manga a go.
I liked it enough. It feels familiar and I like the characters. The story is paced nicely and I can't wait to read the second volume.
July 18, 2025
¡Por fin tras varios años estoy al día con este manga, y con noticia y todo de su adaptación a anime y eso me tiene hiper mega feliz!
Debo decir que ya he leído hasta el tomo 24 y si tiene muchas similitudes con la historia de Inuyasha, pero eso no significa que tenga lo suyo, su trama y sus personajes originales que me tienen completamente enamorada.
Amo el personaje de MAO es demasiado bello, y Nanoka es fuerte y decidida también la adoro y juntos son la cosa más bella. ya quiero verlos animados!!
Debo decir que ya he leído hasta el tomo 24 y si tiene muchas similitudes con la historia de Inuyasha, pero eso no significa que tenga lo suyo, su trama y sus personajes originales que me tienen completamente enamorada.
Amo el personaje de MAO es demasiado bello, y Nanoka es fuerte y decidida también la adoro y juntos son la cosa más bella. ya quiero verlos animados!!
March 21, 2022
Another interesting story, by the extremely influential Takahashi Rumiko-sama! If you enjoyed inuyasha, this is definitely something along those veins to help scratch that itch. I'm super interested in how the story will go as I'm curious as to how the two main characters are connected and what role the 'villain' has to play in the connection, but I trust Rumiko-sama to make this story pop off! Hope yall enjoy and I'll see yall I'm the next review 👊🏾😎
July 19, 2020
Eu sou mega fã de InuYasha. Eu já li outras séries da autora : Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura e Maison Ikkoku. E eu não acho que essa série seja um plágio de InuYasha. Mas não mesmo. Eu até entendo que exista uma inspiração com o fato da viajem no tempo e os Yokais. Mas os personagens principais são bem diferentes. O tema da história em si também é outro. Eu estou ansiosa para continuar.
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