It’s fairly the chance to have the ability to learn three totally different Rumiko Takahashi works in the identical 12 months. Mao Quantity 1 is her newest manga collection, at present ongoing in Japan. The primary quantity introduces younger Nanoka, who unintentionally passes via a portal into the Taisho period the place she meets an exorcist, Dr. Mao. The collection is revealed in English by VIZ Media beneath their Shonen Sunday imprint. It’s translated by Junko Goda, tailored to English by Shaenon Garrity, and options touch-up artwork and lettering by Susan Daigle-Leach. Yukiko Whitely is behind the duvet and inside design, and the quantity is edited by Annette Roman.
Mao Quantity 1 is a good mix of lots of the Rumic World—a combo of Inuyasha and RIN-NE with a touch of that good horror from Mermaid Saga. Takahashi manages to take what followers of these collection love and nonetheless combine issues up sufficient to make the story really feel totally different. Readers nonetheless don’t know what will occur, and can doubtless latch on to Mao and Nanoka shortly to see what destiny befalls them.
When Nanoka was in first grade, a mysterious sinkhole opened up on the street beneath her household’s automotive. Her mother and father died, however Nanoka was discovered mendacity close by outdoors the automotive, lined in blood and never respiratory. She has no recollections of her obvious dying, however has lived with a weak physique ever since. Now in junior excessive, Nanoka ventures to the road of the accident after faculty, and unintentionally walks via a portal into the Taisho period. When she runs into Dr. Mao, he calls her an ayakashi and her world is thrown the wrong way up as she discovers powers which have been mysteriously suppressed within her.
A majority of Mao Quantity 1 is about up, however it’s nonetheless compelling. An amazing instance is the query of simply how a lot Nanoka’s grandparents find out about her. Mao made it obvious that she had been taking one thing to suppress her ayakashi powers, however the one factor constantly referenced is the drugs she has to drink each morning for her “weak physique.” Nanoka’s powers additionally enable her to begin contributing instantly in battle, and the shock on different characters’ faces is satisfying. For non-shonen followers, nonetheless, it’d really feel a bit formulaic.
Moreover, this isn’t simply the story of Nanoka. Per the collection’ title, it’s also the story of Mao. He was cursed by a cat demon named Byoki and seeks to undo stated curse. Takahashi neatly units Mao’s journey within the Taisho period, so the story doesn’t really feel too just like Inuyasha (which was set within the Feudal period). Mao works as a health care provider and solves circumstances involving ayakashi amidst creating cities with vehicles on the street. This backdrop provides a further layer of intrigue, because it was such a transitional time, and hopefully, Takahashi makes use of the time interval through the episodic chapters.
Takahashi’s paintings is simply as nice as at all times. It isn’t fairly as intense because the physique horror of Mermaid Saga, however demons nonetheless morph out of human our bodies, arms get chopped off, and eyes change when somebody’s energy is unleashed. Additionally, particularly, the paintings for Byoki is nice. Takahashi really took “cat demon” and went with it.
Mao Quantity 1 is a good begin to one other Rumic World manga. Takahashi is again in kind, mixing one of the best elements of a few of her beloved collection to create a narrative that each feels acquainted and nonetheless new. Will probably be enjoyable to comply with Nanoka and Mao into the long run.
Mao Quantity 1 is obtainable now wherever books are sold.
Mao Quantity 1
TL;DR
Mao Quantity 1 is a good begin to one other Rumic World manga. Takahashi is again in kind, mixing one of the best elements of a few of her beloved collection to create a narrative that each feels acquainted and nonetheless new. Will probably be enjoyable to comply with Nanoka and Mao into the long run.
Olive is an award-winning playwright with BAs in English and Theatre. At BWT she is a manga and anime critic, with a further give attention to psychological well being portrayals in media and true crime.
