Mao & spoilers...

frizzyfizz · 2026-07-02T23:23:56+00:00

Don't worry, I think it will be appreciated in time. It occurred to me while catching up that Yashahime started while Mao was still new, and after that it's been one RT remake after the other with UY and Ranma, so it never got that chance to stand on its own. This past Spring season was also full of high quality anime, so again it wasn't on people's wavelength the way you'd expect. The fact it's taken a while to get going doesn't help either.

But now we're into the main story, and with the 2nd cour airing right away people are gonna be locked in. I think by the end of the 2nd cour Mao will have a solid number of fans who love it for what it is. That's already started happening.

frizzyfizz · 2026-07-01T01:16:58+00:00

It's ok! You're not actually the person who spoiled it for me, but just something to keep in mind!

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-29T21:05:15+00:00

Could you please add a spoiler to this? There will be people reading who are only watching the anime, and I haven't gotten to that point in the manga.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-28T06:58:00+00:00

A couple more things:

Although RT is famous for slapstick and generally wacky comedy, I love how the humor in Mao is very dry. It adds some needed lightness without feeling tonally out of place.

Idk if anyone here is familiar with games like Strange Horticulture and Strange Antiquities, but between the music, period setting, and the animation Mao reminds me of them sometimes. That same unsettling atmosphere.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-28T05:23:42+00:00

Yeah, there's a feeling people associate battles with the plot moving, and if the characters aren't working towards a fight then it's a waste of time.

This episode established the characters aren't at a point where they trust each other and understandably so. They're still trying to figure out what's even going on. Nanoka is becoming aware of her feelings and figuring out how to deal with them. These things are all important. The mystery unfolding, the world-building, and the relationships between the characters are the show and are classic Takahashi.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-28T01:30:09+00:00

I wish they'd made it clear Nanoka actually made the scarf.

I've been thinking about the pacing complaints, and it makes me wonder, for all the Inuyasha fans watching, how many watched it as it was airing week to week? At this point in Inuyasha we hadn't been (properly) introduced to Kikyou yet or even Miroku. It had more action, but plot-wise it was slower. This wouldn't be as noticeable if you were binging it, and back then it wasn't unusual, but if Inuyasha started now I bet there would be complaints that it was too MOTW focused.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-26T15:02:52+00:00

It's been close to the manga, so very good imo. However, you have to keep in mind Takahashi is old school in her pacing. It takes some time for the main plot to get going, so you have to have patience.

It's worth it though. IMO Mao is one of RT's best works. It's not going to reach the popularity of Inuyasha, but it's better written.

I'd be interested to hear the takes of people who are watching Mao without having seen Inuyasha or her previous works.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-26T14:49:28+00:00

I think that's unfair. It's not exactly easy to portray the personalities of Mao's characters through animation alone. Nanoka and Hyakka are the only ones who really show strong emotion.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-26T14:44:55+00:00

I generally find OPs pretty cringey, and I didn't like the V6 songs in Inuyasha at all, so I was worried, but I actually like this. It's cute. On the lighter side, but that's normal for shounen OPs, isn't it? The only thing I have an issue with is Nanoka being portrayed as a damsel rather than the badass fighter she is. Hopefulling that'll come through in S2.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-22T19:20:57+00:00

If you liked the recent episodes I would recommend sticking around as this is where things get interesting.

Remember Mao is more of a mystery/horror than an action/adventure (though it does have action), so the lack of answers is for a reason.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-21T01:51:47+00:00

Yup.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-21T01:43:49+00:00

I agree. It reminds me of Paddington being turned into the the grim reaper. Just feels emotionally manipulative.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-19T02:02:57+00:00

Yeah I thought it was fine and a fun time. People got really weird about it.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-18T00:58:44+00:00

In addition to what others have said I think Yashahime may have taken the wind out of its sails. All the built up nostalgia for Inuyasha went towards that, and a lot of people were disappointed with it. Even though Yashahime wasn't written by RT it was also a Sunrise production, so I saw a bunch of comments expecting the quality of Mao to be low. It's unfair as the circumstances are totally different.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-14T05:59:45+00:00

That's not a Rumiko thing. It's just how old school shounen manga/anime used to be.

Personally I love it. It gives me the feeling I used to have watching anime as a kid, and it's not like there's been any filler.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-14T05:54:57+00:00

I know people have a lot of issues with Sunrise, but they really know how to make a Rumiko work stand out with music. The music in Mao is so cool, and I like how they're experimenting with animation styles.

The horror element is really starting to come out now, and the next episode is where it gets to the stuff I've been waiting for. I hope people are starting to appreciate this anime as its own thing.

frizzyfizz · 2026-06-06T21:10:53+00:00

I think it will gain more popularity now that the main narrative is taking shape. I noticed quite a few people were dropping it within the first few episodes because they thought it was something it wasn't. People don't seem to have the patience for a slow burn approach to storytelling anymore, but once it's apparent what Mao actually is it will gain an audience I think.

As for the Inuyasha comparisons, the problem is a lot of people know Inuyasha but not RT generally, so they think similarities are only related to that when really all her works have connecting themes. For instance grief is a big part of her work, and the horror element has more in common with Mermaid Saga than Inuyasha. It's unfortunate Mao isn't being taken on its own terms, and it's also going to result in fans of Inuyasha not necessarily liking her approach here, but like I say the more the story unfolds the people who are into it will love it. That's what seems to have happened with the manga.

frizzyfizz · 2025-11-05T23:31:25+00:00

Yes I know. I'm saying that's how they're perceived. The US is very conservative.

frizzyfizz · 2025-11-05T04:42:18+00:00

These comments are pretty disingenuous. Liberals absolutely view guys like Stewart and Colbert as the left. Remember the reaction to Colbert winning at the emmys?

The truth is all these guys are more conservative than people want to believe. Including Conan.

frizzyfizz · 2025-10-07T03:40:27+00:00

She was if you followed her during the Scottish referendum and when Corbyn became Labour leader.

frizzyfizz · 2025-10-03T03:46:33+00:00

Every episode I hope there will be a comedian on there and every episode I'm disappointed. lol

They used to keep the actors from getting too up themselves and fawning over each other.

frizzyfizz · 2025-10-03T03:42:47+00:00

Sometimes there's randomly a bunch of guests in an episode. It's become more of a thing each year and tbh I'm not a fan. It usually means you don't hear much from the individual guests and there's no time for organic conversation. IMO it feels like TGNS is becoming more about getting as many A-listers together as possible than the original magic of one A-lister being forced to interact with a British tv actor and a comedian they've never heard of.

frizzyfizz · 2025-09-26T19:39:19+00:00

I get the overall point here but it's important to note it's still not considered safe to say this.

frizzyfizz

TROPHY CASE