MAO 2026
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
Where to watch
Stream
Stream
Stream
Stream
Stream
Stream
With ads
Stream
Stream
Stream
Free
Rent
Stream
Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 24 episodes and an average 25-minute runtime.
Trailer
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.
Should you watch it?
“A high school student travels through time to the Taisho period and encounters a mysterious investigator.”
- engaging time-travel premise
- strong central mystery
- 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.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about MAO — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is MAO worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Nanoka and Mao Mytharc Apr 4, 2026
- E2 Spider Lady Core Apr 11, 2026
- E3 The Accursed Core Apr 18, 2026
- E4 The Shorinkyo Incident Core Apr 25, 2026
- E5 The Keystone Core May 2, 2026
- E6 Memories of That Day Mytharc May 9, 2026
- E7 The New Vessel Core May 16, 2026
- E8 Hyakka Mytharc May 23, 2026
- E9 Kamon Core May 30, 2026
- E10 Taizanfukun Core Jun 6, 2026
- E11 Blood Bond Core Jun 13, 2026
- E12 Water Sorcerer Core Jun 20, 2026
- E13 Byoki Core Jun 27, 2026
- E14 The Iron Mask Core Jul 4, 2026
- E15 Shiranui Core Jul 18, 2026
- E16 Hakubi Core Jul 18, 2026
- E17 Maogui Core Jul 25, 2026
- E18 Episode 18 Core Aug 1, 2026
- E19 Episode 19 Core Aug 8, 2026
- E20 Episode 20 Core Aug 15, 2026
- E21 Episode 21 Core Aug 22, 2026
- E22 Episode 22 Core Aug 29, 2026
- E23 Episode 23 Mytharc Sep 5, 2026
- E24 Episode 24 Mytharc Sep 12, 2026
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.