MAO (2019)

[MAO（マオ）]

Volume 2

Author/Artist: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
Nanoka goes undercover to infiltrate Shouko's cult and discover the reason for the deaths surrounding it.

Story/Characters:
The cult story is fairly low-impact, but we're steadily building up steam and setting the stage for the Great Kanto Earthquake. We get more time with Shiraha in the present while Nanoka researches the disaster, but I can't help but feel Takahashi is going to end up forgetting about him, so I can't really get invested in his character. The following flea nun (yes, really) arc has more of a direct connection to Byouki and we get to see some new powers on display, so that's always fun. We may also be setting up the first steps toward a romantic plotline with Nanoka and Mao. It would be interesting if the lead male and female didn't become an item for a change, but I'm not opposed to seeing the familiar character patterns develop. We've still got a ways to go if that's what you're here for. From there, we have Nanoka start to question her life as she knows it, leading into the big quake and a nice cliffhanger.

Art:
The art is as good as you'd expect. The flea nuns are suitably creepy and I'm hoping to see more of Mao's elemental summons in the future.

Conclusion:
We're moving from starter villains into more of the main event. Using the Great Kanto Earthquake as a set piece is a good use of the setting. I also like the element of mystery surrounding Nanoka that's slowly unraveling before us. I still can't quite call this a must-have, but it's definitely worth a read.

Rating:
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