- Story: 6
Rumiko Takahashi is in her 60’s and has a net worth of millions, so she’s going to write whatever she finds interesting. Time travel, demons, ghosts, and girl-meets-boy are all common tropes in her stories and is up to the individual on whether that’s a good or bad thing. Making comparisons because it’s familiar territory with her other series is either going to make it fun or boring for the reader. Personally I like making the comparisons, which is why any deviation will be much sweeter if there is any.
The first chapter hits us with some hooks that fill the reader with
...
questions. Multiple questions. The beginning arc introduces the characters, how supernatural stuff works, the common terminology, and lasts about 10-12 chapters. I was reminded of some of her multiple past works like Fire Tripper and InuYasha. While I would normally be worried, Mao as a series seems to be going in the direction where it’s becoming its own thing.
- Art: 5
As much as I like Takahashi’s style overall, sometimes it’s oversimplified in Mao. We get detail if necessary: when a new important area is found, important character likely has a pattern on their outfit, a closeup of a monster, etc. We see familiar screentone effects she’s loved using since over 20 years ago. I would say Nanoka looks like Akane Tendo and Kagome Higurashi combined; Mao is Miroku and InuYasha’s science baby and you can’t change my mind about that! Lots of famous manga artists suffer from “same face syndrome” and Takahashi isn’t exempt from that.
They say that good artists can draw a character’s facial expression being happy in 5+ different ways, but I’m not seeing it here. The expressions are pretty stagnant even for a more serious work with less comedy than usual.
The only thing I can applaud is that you can tell she researched the Taisho period and what the buildings/clothes looked like (not that I’m an expert on it). It’s a deviation from her other works that take place in feudal Japan or whatever modern time period it is when she starts publishing a new title. As Mao started in 2019, Nanoka is from present day 2019... though we see few references (the main ones being the famous WcDonald’s and cellphones with 500+ unanswered messages).
I’m not surprised by her style, but because it’s so familiar and simple it's a bit more of a chill read. If you have a difficult time reading manga with too much detail that it's hard to follow and hurts your eyes (I'm looking at you, One Piece!)... Mao is easier on the eyes, which may be a boon to a first-time Takahashi reader, or first-time manga reader in general.
- Characters: 8
This is where Mao is shining so far!
Nanoka has a prevailing curiosity which overrides whatever little fear she has... and whatever fear she has? It’s relatable. She initially protests putting herself in danger because she grew up frail and doesn’t believe she has the physical capabilities to help, but we find that she is brave and participates in finding or making a solution anyways. She’s never stuck in a “woe is me” but neither is she a blind optimist. I find myself rooting for her!
Mao... He is calm like still waters, knowledgeable, but indifferent to those around him. He’ll help others... as long as he comes across them along his way towards his goal. He will compliment someone else’s skill, but he’s still not afraid to bluntly tell someone that they’re an amateur. His interest in accomplishing his goal conflicts with Nanoka’s interest in survival; she finds him crude and unkind because of this, but I can let it slide for now.
So far, we have one cute reliable support character. Sometimes for dry comedic effect, but also as knowledgeable as Mao and serves as a helper to him and Nanoka. It does make me wonder if the trio is going to grow into a tight-knit and lovable group, a team too large to properly focus on developing each character, or if they’re just going to have comrades that show up once in a while.
Even though physically/personality-wise they’re similar to characters in previous works... I like them enough that I want to find out what happens to them and what they’ll do and if they grow along the way. There’s certainly potential for it.
- Enjoyment: 7
I think when it comes to reading a manga from a certain author for the first time... that’s the title that the person will remember first. I think it’s true for Rumiko Takahashi’s work. If someone reads Mao first before any of her previous manga, then it’ll be the one they'll remember. On the other hand, someone that read a previous work is going to make comparisons whether it’s a good or bad thing. I think that teens nowadays might find Mao to be bland compared to other deep and complex manga that younger mangakas churn out... but Mao has a charm and mystery to it that makes it possible to enjoy it at your own pace. Hopefully the characters grow, and the overarching story is satisfying by the end of what is probably going to be a long series.
All (1)FriendsRSS Feeds |
Oct 2, 2023
- Story: 6
Rumiko Takahashi is in her 60’s and has a net worth of millions, so she’s going to write whatever she finds interesting. Time travel, demons, ghosts, and girl-meets-boy are all common tropes in her stories and is up to the individual on whether that’s a good or bad thing. Making comparisons because it’s familiar territory with her other series is either going to make it fun or boring for the reader. Personally I like making the comparisons, which is why any deviation will be much sweeter if there is any. The first chapter hits us with some hooks that fill the reader with ... |
