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MAO [マオ] #12
Mao, Vol. 12
Our friends ponder whether an abusive past can justify bad behavior in the present. A battle against Renji and Mei raises another is Nanoka’s sword Akanemaru an asset or a liability? Then, two thieves are engulfed by a mysterious bag containing a disembodied hand. Is this the last body part Natsuna has been searching for? Plus, Byoki the cat demon returns…in not two but three time periods!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2022
5 people are currently reading
114 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 27, 2023
Probably one of my favourite volumes of Mao so far! Lots going on, and at first I wasn't sure I liked the pace the story was going with Nanoka and her cursed sword, as initially it felt too fast, but the story soon makes up for the speed, making it make sense, not only for the story to progress but for Nanoka's character as well, so while I was hesitant with the initial speed, and what I thought was pure ignorance on Nanoka's part, I was satisfied with what was done with it, and where she went from her initial actions. It suited her personality, and worked.
Always, always a good time when Natsuno makes an appearance, especially with all the mystery now surrounding her, so I was very excited to see her story threads picked up again in this volume and see them stitched into something bigger.
Other volume highlights include more of Renji's backstory, whom I find to be a very interesting antagonist right from the moment he was introduced.
Lowlights, I've little interest in Mei, as she's a character I've been struggling to like. I'm hoping future volumes will give us a little more with her to actually form an opinion. Right now she just feels like she's filling a niche.
Overall, an excellent read that has me really looking forward to the next volume!
Always, always a good time when Natsuno makes an appearance, especially with all the mystery now surrounding her, so I was very excited to see her story threads picked up again in this volume and see them stitched into something bigger.
Other volume highlights include more of Renji's backstory, whom I find to be a very interesting antagonist right from the moment he was introduced.
Lowlights, I've little interest in Mei, as she's a character I've been struggling to like. I'm hoping future volumes will give us a little more with her to actually form an opinion. Right now she just feels like she's filling a niche.
Overall, an excellent read that has me really looking forward to the next volume!
December 26, 2023
Been a while since I read the last volume so it took me a minute to catch up. Really enjoyed this volume tho! The ending was a little confusing (where did the hand come from?), but I’m interested to see what happens next. Also like Nanoka being more useful in battle this volume
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March 11, 2024If anger and desire for vengeance is the main requirement for the kakachu, why was no one else in the Goko clan able to do it?
How on earth did 900 years pass before Mao, Hyakka, and Kamon ran into Shiranui and Yurako. They must have been doing evil deeds all this time, surely it would’ve been noticeable.
How on earth did 900 years pass before Mao, Hyakka, and Kamon ran into Shiranui and Yurako. They must have been doing evil deeds all this time, surely it would’ve been noticeable.
October 15, 2022
un numero intenso, con un finale che apre molti interroggativi.
December 23, 2022
DEVO SAPERE SUBITO COME CONTINUA, NON PUOI TERMINARMI COSÌ UN VOLUME! IO DEVO SAPEREEEE 🔥 (bellissimo)
March 13, 2023
Welp, now we’ve got a weapon that only works when used to protect people and a very Naraku-looking dude… Still playing the hits I see
May 3, 2023
Por fin! En este número empiezo a ver y a entender un poco más la relación byouki y Mao.
October 10, 2023
A lot happening here but an enjoyable volume filled with backstory and action.
October 19, 2023
Renji’s backstory 😢
December 13, 2023
It’s getting better and better, I enjoyed this volume so much.
December 19, 2023
My review of volumes 11-13 can be found at https://www.skjam.com/2023/12/19/mang...
October 6, 2024
Not my favorite volume. Nanoka learns more about her new sword, Mao protects her, and my favorite character wasn't in this one..it was ok.
September 23, 2025
The backstory to start this volume was rather depressing. But overall i liked this volume a lot and the story development is good too.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews