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MAO [マオ] #13
Mao, Vol. 13
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!
One of our friends confesses to setting the Goko clan treasure house on fire centuries ago. Why did they do it? Then, Mao has a revelation about Byoki the cat demon, the gang takes on a corrupt polluting industrialist, and Mei, the guardian of the Garden of Longevity, reveals new facets to her personality. Plus, a mysterious water wielder appears. Whose side are they on?
One of our friends confesses to setting the Goko clan treasure house on fire centuries ago. Why did they do it? Then, Mao has a revelation about Byoki the cat demon, the gang takes on a corrupt polluting industrialist, and Mei, the guardian of the Garden of Longevity, reveals new facets to her personality. Plus, a mysterious water wielder appears. Whose side are they on?
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2022
7 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,587 books2,143 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
September 19, 2023
I really love this series and this volume is great.
September 7, 2023
Well, now I like Mei! Funny how in the last volume I was lamenting about this character sorta just being there to fill a character 'type' within the story and finding her rather uninteresting. That opinion quickly changed with this volume since we were given some backstory and more character development on her that really makes her so much more interesting. I liked these new developments! The way the Garden of Longevity ties back in was such a 'damn girl!!' moment for me!
Both Mei and Renji being revealed to be rather good people hellbent on revenge makes them compelling antagonists to the series. Its layered and I enjoy it. So happy Mei was given something more than her previous appearances.
The volume really shines though in its 'starting to put the pieces together and solve the great mystery surrounding the night Mao was framed for murder' major arc, which I've always been pleased with the pace of this story's telling. It never get stale or drawn out, adding and revealing new elements exactly when I want to see them. I have a few ideas as to where this story is going with its reveals, so I'm eager to see if I've read all the breadcrumbs right.
All in all another excellent volume that once again puts Mao at the top of my manga reading list.
Both Mei and Renji being revealed to be rather good people hellbent on revenge makes them compelling antagonists to the series. Its layered and I enjoy it. So happy Mei was given something more than her previous appearances.
The volume really shines though in its 'starting to put the pieces together and solve the great mystery surrounding the night Mao was framed for murder' major arc, which I've always been pleased with the pace of this story's telling. It never get stale or drawn out, adding and revealing new elements exactly when I want to see them. I have a few ideas as to where this story is going with its reveals, so I'm eager to see if I've read all the breadcrumbs right.
All in all another excellent volume that once again puts Mao at the top of my manga reading list.
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March 11, 2024😱 is that Sadako??,
Mei has a tragic backstory like all the rest, but ultimately she chose to be evil. What happens to you is not always under your control, but your actions after that can be judged. Both Renji and Mei took tragic pasts and used them as an excuse to hurt whomever and to believe the ends justifies the means.
I guess Hakubi likes Yurako? It’s a little tiresome to have all these love interests when people barely know each other. Yurako met Mao for about a minute 900 years ago…I suppose she did spy on him after that, but really? They’ve been separated 900 years and she’s still obsessed with him?
Considering what we now know, I wonder if the blue ball of light was related to to Daigo. Sana did love him, and that resurrected body looks like him. Again, not sure why anyone stayed in the clan, no why the master ran rampant as long as he did. All those powerful students, and they just obeyed him without question. Was the family always this corrupt??
One of Takahashi’s weaknesses is in drawing a story out far past necessary, instead of writing a tighter story. Mao is suffering from that IMO.
Mei has a tragic backstory like all the rest, but ultimately she chose to be evil. What happens to you is not always under your control, but your actions after that can be judged. Both Renji and Mei took tragic pasts and used them as an excuse to hurt whomever and to believe the ends justifies the means.
I guess Hakubi likes Yurako? It’s a little tiresome to have all these love interests when people barely know each other. Yurako met Mao for about a minute 900 years ago…I suppose she did spy on him after that, but really? They’ve been separated 900 years and she’s still obsessed with him?
Considering what we now know, I wonder if the blue ball of light was related to to Daigo. Sana did love him, and that resurrected body looks like him. Again, not sure why anyone stayed in the clan, no why the master ran rampant as long as he did. All those powerful students, and they just obeyed him without question. Was the family always this corrupt??
One of Takahashi’s weaknesses is in drawing a story out far past necessary, instead of writing a tighter story. Mao is suffering from that IMO.
December 12, 2022
un altro pezzo della storia va al suo posto, nuovi personaggi si aggiungono e nuovi quesiti si presentano, le risposte iniziano ad arrivare e si chiarisce un pezzo del complicato puzzle che ha portato Mao e Nanoka a incrociare Byakko e mutare la loro vita.
February 18, 2024
I really enjoy how this series can show that just because a person is on the side of "evil", how they got there and the reasons for their actions are a very grey area. And in the end, as the reader,you can begin to sympathize with them. This volume brings this home once again.
December 31, 2022
Si casca un po' nel banale, ma chissà come mai riesce sempre a terminare ogni volume con un finale a bocca aperta che ti fa dire "MI SERVE IL PROSSIMO NUMERO!"
December 19, 2023
My review of volumes 11-13 can be found at https://www.skjam.com/2023/12/19/mang...
December 27, 2023
I hope this gets an anime adaptation one day, this is almost better than Inuyasha now. The characters are really well constructed and have a lot of depth. Mei was really cool this volume
April 16, 2024
I'm losing track of all the threads on this series.
April 28, 2024
Team new Goko Clan gets more interesting as we learn more and more of their backstory
August 6, 2025
Fun as usual! happy to have read more of this one. I cannot wait for the next volume 🩷
September 23, 2025
It was rather slow at first then got better. But now I’m internally crying over this cliffhanger cause I don’t have access to the rest of the series right now.
February 16, 2026
Gran tomo, esto cada vez se pone mejor. 🤓
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews