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MAO [マオ] #9
MAO 9
姉弟子・夏野の隠し事、それはーー
宿敵・不知火との闘いにて手助けをしてくれた姉弟子・夏野。
摩緒は、彼女が平安時代から続く
ある事情で捜し物をしている事を知る。
その時代に起きた彼女の人生をくるわす哀しき出来事とはーー
宿敵・不知火との闘いにて手助けをしてくれた姉弟子・夏野。
摩緒は、彼女が平安時代から続く
ある事情で捜し物をしている事を知る。
その時代に起きた彼女の人生をくるわす哀しき出来事とはーー
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2021
14 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,584 books2,142 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 18, 2023
The story just gets more and more interesting every volume
January 12, 2023
Mao is easily one of my favourite series to read right now, and this volume pretty much solidifies that sentiment. Firstly, I appreciate the pacing of this story. So often, many plot secrets and mysteries are needlessly dragged out in serials, well, because they are ongoing serials, but Mao keeps an excellent pace with it's story reveals that keeps this story from stalling.
Secondly, this series is excellent at developing it's secondary characters and giving them more than what initially met the eye. In past volumes, we got to see much more deeper character conflicts and developments than what was on the surface with both Kamon and Hyakka, solidifying them as characters in their own right with their own subplots. This volume puts its focus on Natsuno, who's carefree 'bye don't follow me' and general pleasantness is already quite enjoyable to read. Here we get a deeper look at this woman and whats really going on with her, and damn, do I ever love the surprising turn her arc has taken.
All in all, another great volume to an already great series that leaves me excited to read the next book.
Secondly, this series is excellent at developing it's secondary characters and giving them more than what initially met the eye. In past volumes, we got to see much more deeper character conflicts and developments than what was on the surface with both Kamon and Hyakka, solidifying them as characters in their own right with their own subplots. This volume puts its focus on Natsuno, who's carefree 'bye don't follow me' and general pleasantness is already quite enjoyable to read. Here we get a deeper look at this woman and whats really going on with her, and damn, do I ever love the surprising turn her arc has taken.
All in all, another great volume to an already great series that leaves me excited to read the next book.
March 13, 2023
Another great volume!!!💘
This series has really decided that it's a full blown mystery. I love where it's heading and I cannot wait to find out the mysteries behind Mao, the night at the temple, and everything to do with immortality. Good read, would highly recommend.
This series has really decided that it's a full blown mystery. I love where it's heading and I cannot wait to find out the mysteries behind Mao, the night at the temple, and everything to do with immortality. Good read, would highly recommend.
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March 11, 2024Exorcists really aren’t a good thing in this world - basically they’re either cursing you or protecting you from the curses of a different exorcist. Honestly, it’s absurd that a clan that was destroyed 900 years ago can still lay claim to all these artifacts and such when it sounds like they were pretty crappy and probably stole that stuff anyway. There is zero reason to be loyal to the Goko Clan, which murdered its own disciples, practiced dark rituals, and was creating powerful and dangerous spirits.
As for Yurako, are we going to find that she is the twin of Sana? How did that door just happen to be open for her to escape? And Natsuko…not concerned about the whole golem and assembling body parts? Really? 900 years and you’re not tired of living yet? Rather work for a mysterious and probably evil being that you will likely regret assembling? If she has the memories from the temple and it wasn’t her…does she have Masago’s memories?
I’m also kind of amused that Takahashi put a bit of Covid in the series, but ignored the fact that Nanako traveling to the past could be quite devastating if she did carry the virus.
As for Yurako, are we going to find that she is the twin of Sana? How did that door just happen to be open for her to escape? And Natsuko…not concerned about the whole golem and assembling body parts? Really? 900 years and you’re not tired of living yet? Rather work for a mysterious and probably evil being that you will likely regret assembling? If she has the memories from the temple and it wasn’t her…does she have Masago’s memories?
I’m also kind of amused that Takahashi put a bit of Covid in the series, but ignored the fact that Nanako traveling to the past could be quite devastating if she did carry the virus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2022
DAVVERO STUPENDO QUESTO 9 VOLUME!
la saga comincia ad appassionarmi davvero, è pazzesco!
la saga comincia ad appassionarmi davvero, è pazzesco!
August 3, 2023
Okay, so we are back with volume 9 and I have to say I’m so glad things picked up and how they picked up. First we have the storyline of Natsuno searching for a right hand, if memory serves me well, because she owes magical ayakashi limbs to the mysterious being with the earth doll that made her immortal? Which I find fascinating because every since, Natsuno entered the scene I noticed that different from all the other immortals that where called to the temple that only have streaks of white in their hair, Natsuno’s hair is all white. So now we know, again do we, that she wasn’t called into the temple by the master of the Kou Clan but that instead someone behind the scenes keeps pulling the strings to keep her alive in order to maintain Natsuno doing the dirty work of searching far and wide for the missing parts that being apparently needs. And that right there folks is some juicy unresolved thread I am willing to follow forever.
Then we have the storyline of Kagari and her cursed needles. Kagari appeared briefly in the last volume, but dumb me pay her no attention because I was having some problems with the pacing of the story back in volume 8. But that girl is DANGEROUS, and of course poor Nanoka gets the shit end of the stick when she goes to investigate who is the person cursing girls hither and thither in an all girls high school. I hope Kagari gets her comeuppance because she is just an arrogant little shit that’s a menace to Taisho era society and we don’t like her specially after what she did to poor Mao in volume 8. Thankfully Mao humbled her real quick by executing the same technique she’s been using to terrorize everyone. Also now we have Yurako spilling the tea on what she actually is. This volume was REALLY REALLY GOOD. Big step up from volume 8. I knew Takahashi sensei would never let me down.
I’m giving this volume 5/5 stars and jumping right into volume 10 because the Heian era tea is piping hot.
Then we have the storyline of Kagari and her cursed needles. Kagari appeared briefly in the last volume, but dumb me pay her no attention because I was having some problems with the pacing of the story back in volume 8. But that girl is DANGEROUS, and of course poor Nanoka gets the shit end of the stick when she goes to investigate who is the person cursing girls hither and thither in an all girls high school. I hope Kagari gets her comeuppance because she is just an arrogant little shit that’s a menace to Taisho era society and we don’t like her specially after what she did to poor Mao in volume 8. Thankfully Mao humbled her real quick by executing the same technique she’s been using to terrorize everyone. Also now we have Yurako spilling the tea on what she actually is. This volume was REALLY REALLY GOOD. Big step up from volume 8. I knew Takahashi sensei would never let me down.
I’m giving this volume 5/5 stars and jumping right into volume 10 because the Heian era tea is piping hot.
April 11, 2023
Solo per i drama tra Mao e Nanoka merita un 5 stelle. Per non parlare di Kamon praticamente testimone di nozze😂 Rispetto alle altre opere di Rumiko, questo è molto più esplicito riguardo ai sentimenti dei personaggi e questa cosa mi tiene incollata ai capitoli!
Ma questa casuale citazione al covid??? non me l'aspettavo ed è la prima volta che leggo qualcosa ambientato nel 2020.
Ma questa casuale citazione al covid??? non me l'aspettavo ed è la prima volta che leggo qualcosa ambientato nel 2020.
February 27, 2023
Im screaming at that cliffhanger god I love this series
April 12, 2023
More background building. Like many manga (and many Takahashi stories) this is a sloooow burn.
May 9, 2023
I can’t believe more people aren’t reading this, this review is so GREAT, and it only keeps getting better with each volume
June 28, 2023
The plot continues to thicken!! There is just something about Rumiko’s storytelling that is just so digestible and page-turning.
July 7, 2023
damn im again invested
August 9, 2023
I was starting to loose interest in this series but it seems to have gotten me back on board. Shouldn't have doubted Takahashi.
August 30, 2023
On y voit qu'il n'y a pas que des immortels et des esprits dans l'histoire - on y rencontre aussi des personnes sans aucune conscience...
October 9, 2023
Still loving this series, I need to get caught up! One of the best Supernatural manga publishing right now.
October 31, 2023
See my review of volumes 8-10 here: https://www.skjam.com/2023/10/31/mang...
May 2, 2025
Kinda filler. Plants a lot of things that will be probably expanded upon in the future.
September 19, 2025
This volume was great. But that cliffhanger is brutal.
January 23, 2023
Great chapter. It was so funny to see the COVID-19 part.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews