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MAO [マオ] #5
Mao, Vol. 5
When Nanoka is transported back in time to a supernatural early 20th century, she gets recruited by aloof exorcist Mao. What thread of fate connects them? Together, they seek answers...and kick some demon butt along the way!
While Shiranui and his minions pursue Mao in the Taisho era, the cat demon Byoki stalks Nanoka in the present day. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman is spreading strange rumors around old Kyoto. Who is she really? Then, a stranger armed with powerful spells and mechanical weapons appears and sets his sights on a particular target…
While Shiranui and his minions pursue Mao in the Taisho era, the cat demon Byoki stalks Nanoka in the present day. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman is spreading strange rumors around old Kyoto. Who is she really? Then, a stranger armed with powerful spells and mechanical weapons appears and sets his sights on a particular target…
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2020
10 people are currently reading
121 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 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 27, 2022
Aw look at our precious baby on the cover
Also WTF WAS THAT ENDING?!
Also WTF WAS THAT ENDING?!
May 25, 2022
The mystery to me wasn’t WHO the woman was, it is HOW is it HER? 4, hope the answer is coming up in the next volume, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
What a cliffhanger! I need the next volume now! If you're looking for a supernatural shonen manga, please pick this up!
August 10, 2022
I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed a Takahashi series this much in a long time.
January 2, 2021
Biggest problem with recycling bits from previous works, you kinda see the “twist” coming from, like, three volumes ago...
May 22, 2023
Another great volume by Rumiko Takahashi. I’m super intrigued by how the plot keeps evolving and taking slight twists here and there. Why is Nanoka no telling Mao everything that she experiences with the Byouki in her timeline? Nanoka, you in danger, girl. SPEAK UP! The fact that she keeps seeing the Byouki on a daily basis and deciding there are more pressing things than that makes me want to tear my hair apart. My selfish self would be bothering Mao every single second until he came up with a solution because there is no way I would put my and everyone’s life on the line just because I think Mao has more important things to discuss with Hyakka and Kamon-sama. Nanoka you need to do better.
Also I KNEW freaking Lady Sana was not dead. The moment I say that lady wearing black lace, I had a feeling it has to be Sana. Lo and behold it really was her, but why is she sneaking with Shiranui? How did she survive? I need answers. She’s giving evil vibes by the demonic voice that came off her when she told Nanoka to move and again miss girly pop forgot to tell the gang that maybe that Lady Sana isn’t the pure soul she was back in time. Maybe some one with more power and rather sinister motives brought her back to life, a la Kikiyo-style.
Can’t wait to find out all the pieces in this puzzle and finally find out who the true villain is. Although I have my suspicions. I’m giving this one 5/5 stars.
Also I KNEW freaking Lady Sana was not dead. The moment I say that lady wearing black lace, I had a feeling it has to be Sana. Lo and behold it really was her, but why is she sneaking with Shiranui? How did she survive? I need answers. She’s giving evil vibes by the demonic voice that came off her when she told Nanoka to move and again miss girly pop forgot to tell the gang that maybe that Lady Sana isn’t the pure soul she was back in time. Maybe some one with more power and rather sinister motives brought her back to life, a la Kikiyo-style.
Can’t wait to find out all the pieces in this puzzle and finally find out who the true villain is. Although I have my suspicions. I’m giving this one 5/5 stars.
July 27, 2024
Alih-alih hubungan Nanoka dan Mao, perkembangan hubungan justru terjadi antara Mao dan kakak-kakak seperguruannya. Rasa-rasanya perkembangan hubungan keduanya akan menjadi tipikal "she fell first but he fell harder." Ya sudahlah, biar geregetan, kita tunggu saja pelan-pelan, yaaa.
Setidaknya Hyakka dan Kamon tidak lagi ingin mengutuk atau membunuh Mao. Saya menikmati dialog dan interaksi ketiganya yang jelas-jelas saling peduli, tetapi masih berusaha waspada terhadap satu sama lain. Sebagai gantinya, pembaca bertemu dengan Siranhui yang membenci Mao.
Sepertinya ke depan akan ada dua kubu di antara murid-murid Klan Ko yang tersisa, mereka yang sudah tidak ingin melanjutkan ritual pengorbanan terhadap Mao dan yang masih ingin melanjutkannya untuk mendapatkan teknik rahasia Taizan Fukun.
Lalu, Nanoka juga masih harus menghadapi kemunculan Yurako yang wajahnya mirip dengan Lady Sana. Apakan Lady Sana belum mati? Apa hubungannya dengan Yurako? Satu yang pasti, Yurako juga menyukai Mao.
Selain kemunculan Siranhui dan Yurako yang berada di kubu oposisi, sepertinya akan ada seorang lagi kakak seperguruan Mao yang memburunya, yaitu Hakubi. Cerita di volume ini berakhir dengan Mao yang akan menghadapi Siranhui dan Hakubi.
Setidaknya Hyakka dan Kamon tidak lagi ingin mengutuk atau membunuh Mao. Saya menikmati dialog dan interaksi ketiganya yang jelas-jelas saling peduli, tetapi masih berusaha waspada terhadap satu sama lain. Sebagai gantinya, pembaca bertemu dengan Siranhui yang membenci Mao.
Sepertinya ke depan akan ada dua kubu di antara murid-murid Klan Ko yang tersisa, mereka yang sudah tidak ingin melanjutkan ritual pengorbanan terhadap Mao dan yang masih ingin melanjutkannya untuk mendapatkan teknik rahasia Taizan Fukun.
Lalu, Nanoka juga masih harus menghadapi kemunculan Yurako yang wajahnya mirip dengan Lady Sana. Apakan Lady Sana belum mati? Apa hubungannya dengan Yurako? Satu yang pasti, Yurako juga menyukai Mao.
Selain kemunculan Siranhui dan Yurako yang berada di kubu oposisi, sepertinya akan ada seorang lagi kakak seperguruan Mao yang memburunya, yaitu Hakubi. Cerita di volume ini berakhir dengan Mao yang akan menghadapi Siranhui dan Hakubi.
July 20, 2022
Another volume where new characters and plot twists/mysteries keep appearing, and you’re engaged at every change! Can’t wait for the next volume to be available.
**spoiler**
I like that Rumiko changed up who would be part of the 5 door temple - in that from the past 2 characters, you’d assume it’s one of the skilled scholars. But here we learn that Shiranui was choose , and not the most skilled water scholar. Why? Did the Master choose him? Or did he pull something to become a rep?
**spoiler**
I like that Rumiko changed up who would be part of the 5 door temple - in that from the past 2 characters, you’d assume it’s one of the skilled scholars. But here we learn that Shiranui was choose , and not the most skilled water scholar. Why? Did the Master choose him? Or did he pull something to become a rep?
June 22, 2022
It was a very interesting volume with lots of action sequences which were great. The plot felt like it was about to be almost identical to Inuyasha, but I really liked it. Can't wait for the next one.
August 20, 2022
I'm really enjoying the stories pacing and characters a lot in Mao. I'm more shocked at the events that unfolded. And I actually really like the attraction between Mao and Nanoka. The next volume sounds promising.
January 23, 2024
So funny that there's another love triangle between a guy who was cursed/blamed for the girl he likes' death, said girl who seems to be brought back to life by evil forces, and a modern day girl who wished the guy got over his "ex"
But hey if it ain't broke don't fix it
But hey if it ain't broke don't fix it
Read
March 9, 2024Huh. I have to ask, if their master sucked so badly, why are all these people so loyal and feel that Mao betrayed the clan? He apparently set Mao up to be murdered; I call that a betrayal itself. And Sana…hm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2025
I'm on the fence with this volume. There were very interesting parts in there, but it wasn't consistent. The build-up occasionally was done right only for the outcome to be disappointing. Hopefully, the next volume is better.
July 14, 2021
Volume un po’ più moscio, ma mi continua a piacere. Un po’ lazy le tavole ripetute.
November 28, 2021
C'est irréfutable que l'histoire se rapproche de plus en plus a celle de Inu-Yasha. Ce tome m'a prouvé cela. Ça ne me déplaît pas en tout cas.
February 20, 2022
i love the series always deals with new mysteries which more characters get involved!!!
May 10, 2022
The twists keep coming! It's fantastic!
May 24, 2022
Rating - 3.5/5
June 4, 2022
Another fantastic volume. This one seems to be a lead into what our main plot is going to be. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
June 26, 2022
Oops. Skipped 4?got a bit confusing.
August 7, 2022
ENDED ON A CLIFFHANGER!
August 8, 2022
After Mao's brush with death, the story continues in a less action-packed episode but contains much better writing. Seems like the series is building up to an important confrontation with Shiranui.
November 21, 2022
Rumiko Takahashi is a master storyteller. Excellent volume! I’m dying to see where this goes.
January 1, 2023
Umm excuse me...you can't just end the volume like that! Good thing I have the next one on hand...
February 28, 2023
I review volumes 3-5 here: https://www.skjam.com/2023/02/28/mang...
October 12, 2023
Sur la voie d'amélioration par rapport au volume 4. Cela devient encore mieux vers le volume 6.
November 18, 2023
It’s getting better and better!
February 6, 2025
I'm enjoying this series so far!
February 21, 2025
There's an interesting encounter that will probably lead to a twist but I don't care much about the new characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews