Mao Volume Two continues the story of the series by answering some questions but also introducing some new ones.

Mao Volume Two
Written by: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shogakukan
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: November 9, 2021

The early part of Volume Two focuses on Nanoka fulfilling an agreement with Mao by trying to infiltrate a cult to investigate its priestess, Shoko. Near the end of the first volume, the father of one of the girls who joined the cult died after the priestess predicted that he would due to not believing in the cult. When Nanoko encounters Yoriko, the girl whose father died, she decides that this lead is worth checking out. Fortunately, Mao has sent Otoya to help her out. Meanwhile, Mao has found a curse doll buried near Yoriko’s father’s home, and Mao learns something interesting from this discovery.

Between what Mao learns and what Nanoka and Otoya figure out, they realize that Shoko isn’t what she seems, as well as who the real puppet master behind the cult is. And thanks to Mao’s abilities, he is able to take down the puppet master with their own curse. In a not surprising revelation, the puppet master got too full of themselves and didn’t realize any weaknesses in what they were doing. At least Mao was able to bring about an end to this scheme.

The most important thing to come out of this storyline, though, is the one prophecy that Shoko knows is legitimate… that the end of the world is coming, with the earth splitting open and tornadoes of fire descending. When Nanoko returns to her own time, she realizes Shoko has to be referring to the Great Kanto Earthquake. She asks Shiraha, her classmate who has a crush on her, to help her do some research on the earthquake. Nanako realizes that the Great Kanto Earthquake took place on September 1 at 11:58 a.m., and that the sinkhole accident that killed her parents was also on September 1, around noon. While reading through accounts of interviews self-published by a local researcher, she finds reference to someone referring to seeing a huge cat peering down through the smoke, and Nanako thinks this might be a reference to Byoki, the cat demon that Mao is looking for. She also discovers that a keystone (a sacred rock) that was in the area at the time of the earthquake disappeared afterwards and left a huge crater. At this point, it really does feel like Takahashi is dropping hints of potential connections between the Great Kanto Earthquake and the accident that killed Nanoka’s parents.

Meawhile, in the Taisho Era, Mao and Otoya discover a church near the site of the keystone shrine. It turns out the nuns in the church are ayakashi that want Mao’s body and are trying to drink his blood. The poison in his blood is supposed to kill ayakashi, but it’s not affecting these ones. Just as it seems like all hope is lost, Nanako appears and helps Mao and Otoya get away. Nanako learns that Mao has to drink liquid from a kodoku pot because he needs it to replenish his life force. Otoya tells her that Mao’s body has lived for 900 years and is near its end. Hmmm… I have to wonder if there’s a connection between that liquid and the smoothie that Nanako is forced to drink every morning before going to school.

A little later in the volume, Nanako warns the two of them of the impending earthquake, and finally admits to them that she comes from almost 100 years in the future. Before she leaves to return to her time, Mao gives Nanako an antidote when she’s in trouble and needs strength.

When Nanako returns to her time, she first discovers that a month has passed in her time while she was in the Taisho Era. I recognize her grandfather’s cover story of Nanako being the hospital to explain her disappearance… I guess that’s the easiest way to cover up a long absence, and Takahashi likes utilizing this cover story both here and in Inuyasha. But when Nanako feels that something’s not right after drinking her smoothie, she takes the antidote that Mao gave her… and she finally remembers why she and her parents were traveling on the day of the accident. But having this realization makes her question whether the grandfather she’s been living with since her parents died is really her grandfather. This makes her question what Mao’s antidote really is, and she rushes back to the Taisho Era. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong time to go… because the earthquake hits. And this is where the volume ends, and this works as the perfect cliffhanger.

While I still did see a couple of things that made me think of some of Rumiko Takahashi’s other manga series, I felt that Mao Volume Two did a fantastic job of helping the series find its footing and become something that readers want to continue following. I honestly believe that Takahashi was able to start a story here that has a much stronger hook to grab the reader, which is something that her previous series, RIN-NE, lacked. And while we start figuring out and learning some things about Mao, Nanoka’s storyline opens up a whole new question… is her grandfather really her grandfather?

By the end of this volume, it feels like the story is reaching a climax, but the preview for the next volume indicates that this story will continue past the earthquake. I expect that it’s going to take time for Nanako to continue piecing together what happened to her and her life after the accident, and that these revelations will be slowly revealed as the series continues. And this volume also establishes that Mao is running out of time to find Byoki and get his curse broken. At this point, we don’t know fore sure just how much longer Mao has, but I think this plot point will make it harder for Takahashi to keep this manga going for chapters on end and still have it feel believable.

There were a couple of things that bothered me as I read this volume, though. I found at least two mistakes in the text. At one point, Shoko’s assistant, Sogen, is referred to as “Shogen.” And in the section where Nanoka is reading the account of the eyewitness who said he saw a huge cat peering through the smoke, the word “cat” was “can” (although the picture on the page definitely shows a cat). I don’t know how these typos slipped through, but hopefully the next volume will avoid having those kinds of mistakes.

Even with those typos rubbing me the wrong way, I’m very curious to read Mao Volume Three and continue the series. I think I’m picking up on potential connections between events and objects, and I’m hoping that future volumes of the series will either confirm or debunk my thoughts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!