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MAO [マオ] #15
MAO 15
非業の死を遂げた、あの男が甦る――!?
化け猫騒動を聞きつけ、
とある村へ向かった摩緒。
そこには猫鬼と、
五色堂の男の姿も…
時同じく、白眉と幽羅子も
動き出し――
因縁の者達が、
ついに邂逅を果たす――!?
化け猫騒動を聞きつけ、
とある村へ向かった摩緒。
そこには猫鬼と、
五色堂の男の姿も…
時同じく、白眉と幽羅子も
動き出し――
因縁の者達が、
ついに邂逅を果たす――!?
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2023
5 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,585 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 15, 2024
Not much to say just really enjoying the series
February 5, 2023
I love this series soo much. I hope it gets an anime one day. Seriously my safe space
February 19, 2024
This series continues to drop bombs each volume. Sasuga's raw power and blase attitude toward killing is going to make him a incredible opponent at some point. Yurako's story continues to unfold and what is revealed in this issue is earth shattering! And to top it off Daigo and Byoki have prominent parts in the story now, oh yeah!
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March 11, 2024Sasuga is this powerful, but he was making his living causing droughts then fixing them? 🤦🏻♀️ wow he is dumb.
And again Mao, who cares if the mask guy will die if you take the mask? He’s been burning people alive for years. Btw, how did the villagers even believe in this stupid judgement considering the guy wielding it??
The bad guys being able to come and go as they please through portals or dark auras or whatever is annoying. I’m guessed Yurako’s past, though I’m wondering why Sana could purify - was this unique to her, or was it training she received? How did the clan function prior to the twins, or do they just have multiple kids and let one kid be a sacrifice?
Yep, it’s Daigo. I guess we’ll learn what happened to him soon. If the master had his soul, that probably means he learned about the fake death. It is rather mysterious that Mao was considered weak, but was the final target of the future heir. Though any of those disciples should have considered that the evil master would probably have eaten the last one standing to take their power, much like the various evil spirits that cultivate through eating each other. And how is it that cat demons have been around forever, but cats are outside the onmyoji’s power due to not being indigenous??
And again Mao, who cares if the mask guy will die if you take the mask? He’s been burning people alive for years. Btw, how did the villagers even believe in this stupid judgement considering the guy wielding it??
The bad guys being able to come and go as they please through portals or dark auras or whatever is annoying. I’m guessed Yurako’s past, though I’m wondering why Sana could purify - was this unique to her, or was it training she received? How did the clan function prior to the twins, or do they just have multiple kids and let one kid be a sacrifice?
Yep, it’s Daigo. I guess we’ll learn what happened to him soon. If the master had his soul, that probably means he learned about the fake death. It is rather mysterious that Mao was considered weak, but was the final target of the future heir. Though any of those disciples should have considered that the evil master would probably have eaten the last one standing to take their power, much like the various evil spirits that cultivate through eating each other. And how is it that cat demons have been around forever, but cats are outside the onmyoji’s power due to not being indigenous??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
This time we learn more about the history of Haku and his family. I like that we are building out the history and world, but I still have no real idea what the thrust of the central story is. At this point, I'm not sure there is even any point in having Nanoka return to present day. All of the story is happening in Mao's time and in flashbacks to even earlier.
I'm starting to be afraid that when the mystery of Byoki's attack is revealed it will seem small compared to the rest of the story.
I'm starting to be afraid that when the mystery of Byoki's attack is revealed it will seem small compared to the rest of the story.
March 24, 2024
We finally get some more information about Yurako and it turns out she’s Sana’s twin sister! And Daigo is alive because of a Byako for some reason. We just keep getting more questions when we get some answers but the answers are so small that I’m starting to get a little impatient. I need more answers so hopefully vol 16 gives us some. 😑
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2023
Una sconcertante verità riguardante SANA e YURAKO in questo numero.
Piano piano si intravede uno spiraglio di luce sulla sorte di DAIGO e su quello che è accaduto la notte in cui Mao doveva essere sacrificato.
Ma c'è ancora tanto da scoprire...
Piano piano si intravede uno spiraglio di luce sulla sorte di DAIGO e su quello che è accaduto la notte in cui Mao doveva essere sacrificato.
Ma c'è ancora tanto da scoprire...
July 19, 2024
all the storylines are getting so depressing :(
January 13, 2024
This was a juicy one! Plenty of plot secrets revealed much to my expectation and delight. Mao continues to be one of my favourite mangas to read and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
January 12, 2024
Looking forward to the next volume very, very much.
November 21, 2024
This volume continues the battle with the Judgement Mask. Mao tries prying it off the mayor, only to learn it’s melded to the man’s face. Ew. Sasuga reveals his presence, and offers a job with the Goko clan to the mayor. The now fully crazed mayor isn’t interested in working for anyone else.
Sasuga half-drowns the mayor with his water magic, but Mao isn’t about to let the Goko clan get hold of the dangerous mask. He tries to explain why Sasuga shouldn’t do this, but the former rainmaker has decided he likes having steady meals and a roof above his head.
Mao and Nanoka fight Sasuga, and manage to destroy the mask. The now hideously-wounded mayor is willing to work for the Goko clan now, but Sasuga isn’t interested in a mask wearer that has no mask, and the mayor doesn’t survive the encounter. With nothing left to interest them, Sasuga and Mizuchi leave.
Back at Goko HQ, Sasuga apologizes for his failure, but proves he’s still useful by almost instantly removing the fire curse from the Puppet Needle.
Shiranui then confers with Yukako, the woman with Sana’s face about what’s going on at the Five-Sided Temple. She’s sent her ayakashi to investigate, but they were dispelled by a mysterious dark-skinned figure.
Natsuno the earth wielder shows up at Mao’s doorstep to announce that she’s found Yukako. She, Mao and Nanoka go to visit. Mao insists on going in alone, and Natsuno spots that he and Nanoka have advanced somewhat in their relationship. He’s afraid the jealous Yukako will harm the future girl for being close to him.
Yukako has Sana’s heart in a jar, and is using it to fix her face. But she’s now claiming that Sana wanted her to have it! The two sides trade information, and it’s learned that Daigo (Mao’s one friend and Sana’s true love) hadn’t died when it was said he did–but later, under unexplained circumstances.
Yukako realizes that the mysterious dark-skinned, blue-eyed figure at the Five-Sided Temple must be–Daigo! But where has he been all these years, and why is he back?
Mao and Nanoka confer with the wood wielder Kamon, who is now engaged to be wed. Turns out that young heiress Midori is sickly, and after she developed a huge crush on the handsome botanist, and her parents agreed to the engagement to bolster her morale. Except that she suddenly died. Or did she?
At Midori’s family home, Midori is technically alive, but clearly not in good health and looking crazed. It turns out that a local priest had given her a seed that was supposed to cure any illness, but it did this to her instead.
It’s obviously the Seed of Haku, the cursed plant magic Kamon devised. He confronts the priest, who’s been allowing God to decide who lives and dies. Midori is saved, but Kamon must end the relationship.
Yukako reveals to Hakubi that she believes Daigo to have returned, and sends him in search of the mysterious figure, on the grounds that only the former apprentices can kill each other. Mao and Nanoka are also in the area, looking into reports of a cat monster that might be Byoki. They all get entangled in the affairs of star-crossed lovers.
The mysterious figure looks kind of like Daigo, has enormous Earth powers like him, and logically he’s the most likely person, but the figure still isn’t talking. What’s really going on here?
There’s a lot going on here, with almost all the continuing characters having their own subplots. I’m not too keen on the Nanoka/Mao romance subplot, but apparently this is either going to be endgame or a bittersweet ending material.
The art and monster designs are still excellent. The most horrific image is when the Mask of Judgement is partially pulled off, and the Mayor’s face is coming with it.
This and volume 14 are reviewed together at my blog.
https://www.skjam.com/2024/05/07/mang...
Sasuga half-drowns the mayor with his water magic, but Mao isn’t about to let the Goko clan get hold of the dangerous mask. He tries to explain why Sasuga shouldn’t do this, but the former rainmaker has decided he likes having steady meals and a roof above his head.
Mao and Nanoka fight Sasuga, and manage to destroy the mask. The now hideously-wounded mayor is willing to work for the Goko clan now, but Sasuga isn’t interested in a mask wearer that has no mask, and the mayor doesn’t survive the encounter. With nothing left to interest them, Sasuga and Mizuchi leave.
Back at Goko HQ, Sasuga apologizes for his failure, but proves he’s still useful by almost instantly removing the fire curse from the Puppet Needle.
Shiranui then confers with Yukako, the woman with Sana’s face about what’s going on at the Five-Sided Temple. She’s sent her ayakashi to investigate, but they were dispelled by a mysterious dark-skinned figure.
Natsuno the earth wielder shows up at Mao’s doorstep to announce that she’s found Yukako. She, Mao and Nanoka go to visit. Mao insists on going in alone, and Natsuno spots that he and Nanoka have advanced somewhat in their relationship. He’s afraid the jealous Yukako will harm the future girl for being close to him.
Yukako has Sana’s heart in a jar, and is using it to fix her face. But she’s now claiming that Sana wanted her to have it! The two sides trade information, and it’s learned that Daigo (Mao’s one friend and Sana’s true love) hadn’t died when it was said he did–but later, under unexplained circumstances.
Yukako realizes that the mysterious dark-skinned, blue-eyed figure at the Five-Sided Temple must be–Daigo! But where has he been all these years, and why is he back?
Mao and Nanoka confer with the wood wielder Kamon, who is now engaged to be wed. Turns out that young heiress Midori is sickly, and after she developed a huge crush on the handsome botanist, and her parents agreed to the engagement to bolster her morale. Except that she suddenly died. Or did she?
At Midori’s family home, Midori is technically alive, but clearly not in good health and looking crazed. It turns out that a local priest had given her a seed that was supposed to cure any illness, but it did this to her instead.
It’s obviously the Seed of Haku, the cursed plant magic Kamon devised. He confronts the priest, who’s been allowing God to decide who lives and dies. Midori is saved, but Kamon must end the relationship.
Yukako reveals to Hakubi that she believes Daigo to have returned, and sends him in search of the mysterious figure, on the grounds that only the former apprentices can kill each other. Mao and Nanoka are also in the area, looking into reports of a cat monster that might be Byoki. They all get entangled in the affairs of star-crossed lovers.
The mysterious figure looks kind of like Daigo, has enormous Earth powers like him, and logically he’s the most likely person, but the figure still isn’t talking. What’s really going on here?
There’s a lot going on here, with almost all the continuing characters having their own subplots. I’m not too keen on the Nanoka/Mao romance subplot, but apparently this is either going to be endgame or a bittersweet ending material.
The art and monster designs are still excellent. The most horrific image is when the Mask of Judgement is partially pulled off, and the Mayor’s face is coming with it.
This and volume 14 are reviewed together at my blog.
https://www.skjam.com/2024/05/07/mang...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews