Viz Media has secured the streaming rights for North America and select international markets for the anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s “Mao.” The series is set to launch on April 4, available on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America.
On the same day, the series will debut on NHK General TV in Japan, with Hulu Japan starting its stream on April 5. The show will run continuously for two cours without any midseason break.
This anime adaptation, produced by Sunrise and announced last July by Bandai Namco Filmworks, is part of the celebrations for publisher Shogakukan’s 100th anniversary. Takahashi introduced “Mao” in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday in May 2019, and the manga has amassed 27 volumes as of February 2026. Since 2021, Viz Media has held the English-language North American manga license and began releasing simultaneous English chapters with the Japanese publication in May 2023.
“Mao” is a dark supernatural fantasy that unfolds across two eras. It follows junior high student Nanoka Kiba, who finds herself transported back to Japan’s Taisho period after an incident at a shopping arcade where she survived a mysterious accident eight years earlier. There, she meets Mao, an onmyoji mystic under a curse for nine centuries. As they confront dark forces linked to their destinies, Nanoka gains a new perspective on her own existence.
Rumiko Takahashi, a highly decorated figure in the manga industry, is known for works like “Urusei Yatsura,” “Ranma ½,” “Maison Ikkoku,” and “Inuyasha.” She has received the Shogakukan Manga Award twice and is an Eisner Award Hall of Fame inductee. Her works, collectively known as “Rumic World,” have been widely adapted into various media.
Directing the new series is Teruo Sato, with contributions from Yuko Kakihara for series composition and Yoshihito Hishinuma for character design and chief animation direction. Other key roles include art direction by Hiroshi Kato and Izumi Hoki, color design by Masumi Otsuka, CG direction by Tomohiro Fujie, photography direction by Akane Fushihara, editing by Kazuhiro Nii, sound direction by Hiromi Kikuta, and music by Shu Kanematsu. The series is produced by the Mao Production Committee.
The boy band Kis-My-Ft2 performs the opening theme “Heartloud,” while True sings the ending theme “Juai” (Cursed Love).
Yuki Kaji voices the main character Mao, with Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba. The supporting cast includes Hiro Shimono as Hyakka, Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon, Momoka Terasawa as Otoya, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Shiranui, Motoko Kumai as Funa Uozumi, Yoko Hikasa as Tenko, Risa Shimizu as Sana, Reina Ueda as Yurako, and Takashi Matsuyama as Byoki.
Viz Media holds rights for TV, home video, electronic sell-through, and video-on-demand in North America, Latin America, and Australia/New Zealand.
