Rumiko Takahashi’s MAO Anime Set for April 2026 Premiere on Hulu and Disney+

Fans of Rumiko Takahashi’s legendary manga creations have a new supernatural adventure to look forward to in spring 2026. The anime adaptation of her ongoing series MAO is set to premiere on April 4, 2026, with a simultaneous release on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally. The series will air as a continuous two-cour broadcast on NHK General TV in Japan, beginning at 23:45 JST, with Hulu Japan streaming it from April 5.

Produced by Sunrise—the studio behind the acclaimed Inuyasha anime—the MAO adaptation brings Takahashi’s Taisho-era supernatural tale to life with a voice cast led by Yuki Kaji as Mao and Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba. The announcement comes as part of Shogakukan’s centenary celebrations, marking over a century of publishing influential manga works.

Streaming Details and Release Schedule

According to Viz Media, which holds the North American and select international streaming rights, MAO will debut on April 4, 2026, on Hulu in the U.S. And on Disney+ across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. In Japan, the series premieres the same day on NHK General TV, with Hulu Japan beginning streaming on April 5. The anime is structured as a continuous two-cour run, meaning it will air without a midseason break, delivering approximately 24 episodes of uninterrupted storytelling.

About the MAO Anime Adaptation

The MAO anime is directed by Teruo Sato and produced by Sunrise, with character design and animation supervised by a team experienced in bringing Takahashi’s works to screen. The series adapts the manga that began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Sunday in May 2019. As of February 2026, the manga has been compiled into 27 volumes.

The story follows Nanoka Kiba, a junior high student from the Reiwa era who is transported to Japan’s Taisho period after revisiting the site of a mysterious childhood accident. There, she encounters Mao, an onmyoji who has lived for 900 years, and becomes involved in investigating supernatural phenomena tied to a lingering curse. Together, they navigate a world where spirits, demons, and human desires intertwine across eras.

Voice Cast and Production Team

The main voice cast for the MAO anime includes:

• Yuki Kaji as Mao
• Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba
• Hiro Shimono as Hyakka
• Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon

Each actor has expressed deep personal connection to the project, with Kaji noting his long-standing involvement since first recording the character years ago. The production emphasizes care and dedication in honoring Takahashi’s vision, with Sato leading a staff passionate about delivering a faithful and emotionally resonant adaptation.

Context Within Takahashi’s Legacy

Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most celebrated manga artists, known for defining multiple generations of shonen and shojo storytelling through works like Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, and Inuyasha. Her induction into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame in 2018 and two Shogakukan Manga Awards underscore her lasting influence on the medium.

MAO continues her tradition of blending historical settings with supernatural elements, romance, and action. By placing a modern girl in the Taisho era—a time of rapid cultural change and fascination with the occult—the series explores themes of identity, fate, and connection across time.

Anticipation and Industry Impact

The MAO anime arrives amid growing global interest in Takahashi’s catalog, fueled by simultaneous English releases of the manga since May 2023 and renewed streaming availability of her classic works. Its premiere on major platforms like Hulu and Disney+ reflects the ongoing demand for high-quality anime adaptations of beloved manga, particularly those from iconic creators.

As part of Shogakukan’s 100th-anniversary initiatives, MAO represents both a tribute to the publisher’s history and a forward-looking investment in bringing contemporary manga to international audiences. With its supernatural premise, strong character dynamics, and pedigreed production team, the series is positioned to attract both longtime fans of Takahashi’s work and new viewers discovering her storytelling for the first time.

For viewers eager to experience the next chapter in Rumiko Takahashi’s evolving legacy, MAO offers a compelling blend of historical fantasy and emotional depth—set to unfold beginning April 4, 2026.