Rumiko Takahashi's MAO Anime Premieres on Hulu and Disney Plus

The anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's supernatural manga MAO premiered on April 4, 2026, arriving on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. Viz Media holds the North American and select international streaming rights, bringing the legendary manga creator's latest work to Western audiences in a continuous two-cour run.

The Story

MAO follows the titular character, a mysterious onmyoji who has lived for nine hundred years under a life-altering curse during Japan's Taisho period in the early 1900s. His world takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Nanoka Kiba, a junior high school student who appears to have traveled from the present day. The story weaves together supernatural mystery, historical drama, and the kind of character-driven storytelling that has defined Takahashi's career across decades of manga.

While the premise shares surface similarities with Takahashi's earlier work Inuyasha, which also featured time-crossing protagonists and supernatural threats, MAO leans harder into themes of death, isolation, curses, and haunted places. The tone is noticeably darker and more atmospheric than much of Takahashi's previous work.

Production Details

The anime airs on NHK General TV in Japan, with Hulu Japan also streaming episodes from April 5. The series is confirmed for a continuous two-cour run without a midseason break, giving the adaptation room to develop its storyline across a full half-year of episodes.

The manga has been serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2019, running alongside works by other Shonen Sunday veterans. Takahashi remains one of the most influential manga creators of all time, with a body of work spanning Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, and Rin-ne before MAO.

Early Reception

Critical response to the premiere has been positive. Reviewers have praised the opening episode for its atmospheric storytelling and the way it establishes its supernatural world. The series has been described as an excellent entry point for fans of Takahashi's earlier works while offering enough new tonal ground to stand on its own. The combination of Taisho-era Japan, occult mysteries, and Takahashi's signature character work has drawn favorable attention from viewers who may have expected a more conventional supernatural action series.

Availability

For viewers in the United States, MAO streams on Hulu. Disney+ carries the series in Canada, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. In Japan, the anime airs on NHK and streams on Hulu Japan. Availability in India and other Asian markets has not been confirmed, though the series may arrive on additional platforms as the run continues.