Cover Image: Mao, Vol. 2

Mao, Vol. 2

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This continues well from the first volume. I think it remains and easy to follow and enjoyable. There is story building and Nanako family mystery is definitely more of a feature. I’m hoping that this will be the focus of the next instalment. I am looking forward to continuing with the story.

Was this review helpful?

Mao has become one of my favorite manga series. Although this volume moved a little more slowly than the first, I appreciated the attention to world-building that Rumiko Takahashi gave the story. Takahashi's art continues to shine, and her characters are expressive and vibrant. I'm looking forward the the rest of the series.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wasn’t as strong as the first volume, but still entertaining all around. Takahashi’s style is perfect in building atmosphere and memorable character designs, and it’s interesting to see where this series will go.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed the second volume of this series. After finishing, I need to read the next volume. I have so many questions and I really what to know more about this series. I love the main characters and the plot. This is an amazing manga series that I would recommend to read.

Was this review helpful?

I found volume 2 to be an overall improvement over the first volume, and I liked the first volume! There's more world-building here. (I was a fan of the RNG Narnia-like time system for the trips between the past and the present, for example). We get some interesting character tidbits for our leads in this volume, and a more centralized plot line. Some of the creature designs are a lot of fun! (Looking at you, Flea Nuns!) Again, if you like Rumiko Takahashi's previous work, this is not a disappointment! It’s fun to see her build on some of her previous series ideas in a different way.

Was this review helpful?

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Man oh man I like this manga. The plot thickens even more than the first volume. Nanoka learns more about Dr. Mao and his fight with Byoki. The story from the first volume concludes and gives us even more details into Nanoka and Mao's powers. With that, we also learn more about the accident that killed Nanoka's parents and how she came to live with her grandpa. Not all is as it seems though.

I am really digging this manga. I think the story is interesting and the art is magnificent. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Was this review helpful?

I found myself not enjoying this volume as much as I did the first one, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. More mysteries keep appearing surrounding our protagonist and her origins, and I'm intrigued to see where the plot goes. As always I love Rumiko Takahashi's artstyle, and I'm hoping that the next volume continues to keep me as interested as the first volume did.

Was this review helpful?

I'm continuing to really enjoy this series my Rumiko Takahashi. I feel like she took everything that she learned from doing Inuyasha, and improve the story with Mao. I love our cast of characters. I love her art style. I also love how this feels different from Inuyasha. It's not like she's trying to tell the same story. There are things that are more complicated and woven in this particular series. I don't know if it will eventually tie in, but I love the direction of the story.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley, VIZ Media, and Rumiko Takahashi for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

Volume 2 pick up right where volume one left off with an investigation into a suspicious priestess and cult following. Nanoka, meanwhile, uses research in her time to investigate an earthquake that might have something to do with her family's deaths, as well as her curse from the cat demon, Byoki.

A new idea comes into play: keystones. These items are from older times, thought to protect areas from disasters. Not only is there a keystone near the site of Nanoka's accident, but Mao finds on in his own time, hidden under a false church. These keystones could be a new key to finding Byoki and taking vengeance upon breaking their curses.

The mystery of the connection between past and present and the strange time lapses are a real driving for of this manga. I am definitely enjoying the route this series is taking and highly recommend for new readers and old Rumiko Takahashi fans alike. This one would certainly make a fun anime!

Was this review helpful?

Rumiko Takahashi is back with a new series Mao. She may be the most famous manga author. Her series include Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, and RIN-NE. In Mao, the reader will see similarities to Inuyasha, a time traveling girl meets a boy with super natural powers and he is much older than he looks. Mao has more of a mystery element to it that Inuyasha.

Nanoka was the lone survivor of a horrific accident near a shopping center in her home town. She now lives with her grandfather and a creepy maid. One day she passes through the entry arch of the shopping center and is sent back to the Taisho era where she meets an exorcist named Mao. Mao is searching for the demon who cursed him Byoki. During Mao's search he helps people and yokai as a sort of doctor/exorcist. Nanoka is a mystery to Mao. He can't tell if she is human or demons, she gives off weird energy.

In volume 2 of Mao, Nanoka travels back in time to find Mao and warn him of the impending Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. She warns Mao he should leave the area but it is too late. The pre-quake tremors have already started and signs of Byoki appear. Mao will not leave if he has the chance to face his nemesis. Can Nanoka and Mao face Byoki's minions and the earthquake?

Takahashi is an amazing storyteller and I look forward to reading this series for years to come.

Was this review helpful?

Another amazing fantasy manga from the incredible Rumiko Takahashi!

Mao volume two keeps the action going, with more fighting and fantasy elements being brought in as we get more information about the big mystery of the series. I love that all the one off characters she introduces still have dimension and back stories.

Takahashi is great and finding a balance between the demon infested past and the current day life of Nanoka. We get great storylines in each world, and I love seeing how they come together through Nanoka.

Can't wait for the next volume!

Was this review helpful?

This one was a little slow to start off! I wasn't as interested in the priestess plot that followed into this volume but the last half of it reeled me back in. I'm a lot more interested in Nanoka, which I hoped would happen. I hope to keep reading as these come out. Though this volume wasn't as good as the first one.

Was this review helpful?

In this fantasy adventure manga, the second in the series, we see the mystery of the cult from the first volume resolved. Nanoka jumps back and forth through time to research the cult leader's prophecy, and becomes concerned that her home life is not all that it seems. I really like Nanoka's character and how she seems to rescue Mao more than he rescues her. I can't wait to read volume 3!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Viz Media for allowing me to preview the second volume of Mao.

Mao and Nanoka both find themselves investigating suspicious people. Nanoka learns something that has her worried and she returns to the present to research. Time is not on her side. Later, she finds out even more devastating news.

Sorry for being vague but I’m working hard to have no spoilers since the book doesn’t come out until November.

This is an action packed volume that answers some questions but gives us new ones.

I love Rumiko Takahashi’s works. This is the first time I have to wait to read new volumes. I definitely am waiting impatiently for book three.

Thank you again NetGalley and Viz for allowing me to read this arc copy.

Was this review helpful?

Not as strong of a volume as the first. I found the first three chapters to just be okay but after that I loved the story. Very excited to see how the story develops from here!

Was this review helpful?