MAO (2020)

[MAO（マオ）]

Volume 4

Author/Artist: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
Coming to Tenko's aid, Mao confronts Kuchinawa.

Story/Characters:
The face-off with Kuchinawa didn't go anything like I was expecting and was honestly a bit anti-climactic, but we quickly move to the next plot point. We get to explore Byouki's origins in two separate attempts to bring Mao to the Capital (which, given Mao's original time period, isn't Tokyo but rather Kyoto). During the second of these attacks, we get something new that binds Mao to Nanoha. I expect this to play more into the development of their relationship going forward. It would seem that Hyakka will be coming and going. He didn't get to do much this time around, but hopefully that will change. We also follow Kuchinawa around a bit, teasing the next phase of the story.

Art:
The fight with Mokuzu had some visual interest to it, particularly in regards to Mozuku's battle form. The fight with the spear-wielding shikigami had more punch, though. It's neat seeing Nanoha take a more active role in the battles. It's been a while since we had more of a brawler-style female character in a Takahashi series (not since Akane if I'm not mistaken).

Conclusion:
We're moving along at a steady pace, with morsels of backstory being doled out, but I'll admit to not feeling a lot of passion for the story. I'm interested enough to keep following along, but I can remember how I felt when I was first reading Inuyasha and the vibe is more like what we had in the latter part of the series, when it had been going on a little too long. Fans stuck with the story, but there wasn't the same eagerness for what came next. If you like this series, this volume is a decent enough read, but so far I'm not feeling the hook to tug me along. Make of that what you will.

Rating:
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