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MAO 2026

★ 8.9/10 · 18 votes TV-14 AnimationAction & AdventureSci-Fi & FantasyMystery 1 seasons · 24 eps Returning Series
Community & Your Rating
★ 8.9/10
Where to watch: Hulu
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Quick answer

What is MAO?

MAO is a Japanese television series that premiered in 2026. The story follows Nanoka Kiba, a high school student who was involved in a fatal accident at Gogyō Town Shopping Center eight years prior to the main events.

Type
TV series
Year
2026
Status
Returning Series
Episodes
24
Runtime
25 minutes
First aired
Apr 4, 2026
Last aired
Jul 4, 2026
Original language
JA
Origin
JP
Networks
NHK G
Genres
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery
Updated
Streaming Intelligence

Binge-Worthiness & Content Radar

90 /100 Highly Bingeable
⚡ Pacing & Momentum9.4/10
🧠 Narrative Depth9.5/10
🔄 Rewatch Potential8.9/10
🎬 Production Scale8.2/10
🎯 Bingeable Series #Animation #Action & Adventure #Sci-Fi & Fantasy 🏆 Critically Acclaimed
Availability by region

Where to watch

Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.

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Estimate the schedule using 24 episodes and an average 25-minute runtime.

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Overview

MAO is a Japanese television series that premiered in 2026. The story follows Nanoka Kiba, a high school student who was involved in a fatal accident at Gogyō Town Shopping Center eight years prior to the main events. In present day, while walking home from school, Nanoka discovers an abandoned passage of storefronts that transports her to Japan's Taishō period. There she encounters Mao, another traveler who has arrived simultaneously in a village inhabited by ghosts. The two characters begin investigating strange occurrences around them as Nanoka attempts to reconstruct her fragmented memories of the past accident. Through their investigation, Nanoka gradually uncovers connections between herself and Mao, revealing they share something more ominous than initially apparent. The series explores themes of memory, identity, and supernatural mystery as the protagonists navigate both temporal displacement and paranormal phenomena in early twentieth century Japan.

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Should you watch it?

“A high school student travels through time to the Taisho period and encounters a mysterious investigator.”

Reasons to watch
  • engaging time-travel premise
  • strong central mystery
Keep in mind
  • complex plot threads
  • dark thematic elements

Watch it if you enjoy supernatural mysteries involving historical settings and interconnected pasts.

The series contains themes involving fatal accidents and supernatural occurrences.

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Your verdict

Is MAO worth watching?

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Comprehensive Directory

Episode guide

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Filler vs. Essential Canon

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21%
79%
Mytharc (5): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (19): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
Season 1 · 24 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →
Verified insights

Frequently asked questions

When does the series take place?

The story alternates between the present day and Japan's Taisho period.

Who is the main character?

The story follows Nanoka Kiba, a student who survives a fatal accident.

Who is Mao?

Mao is a mysterious traveler whom Nanoka meets in a ghost-inhabited village.

What is the central mystery?

The characters investigate bizarre events while uncovering the truth behind Nanoka's past accident.

Are the characters connected?

Nanoka and Mao share a connection that involves their pasts and a common sinister element.

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