Sunrise Unveils New Themes for MAO Animes Second Cour, Set to Debut July 4

Sunrise’s television adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s dark‑fantasy manga MAO has just released the opening and ending tracks for its second cour, which begins with episode 14 on July 4. The studio dropped a fresh promo video on Sunday that cuts between tense supernatural battles and the new opening, “Bokura ga Uwagaki suru Sekai” (The World We Overwrite), performed by idol group 20th Century, and the ending, “Tayutau” (Swaying), sung by voice‑actress Reina Ueda.

The clip offers a taste of the next chapter, weaving together quick cuts of the series’ high‑stakes confrontations and a montage that hints at the escalating stakes. Fans who watched the first cour will recognize the high‑energy pop of 20th Century, a former V6 sub‑group that has supplied opening themes for Takahashi’s earlier adaptations like Inuyasha and Ranma ½. Reina Ueda, known for both her voice‑acting and vocal work, is set to close each episode with a haunting melody that complements the show’s dark fantasy tone.

MAO follows Nanoka Kiba, a high‑school student who accidentally slips back to the Taishō era and is rescued by the enigmatic exorcist MAO. The manga, penned and illustrated by Takahashi, first appeared in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday in May 2019 and has been collected into 29 tankōbon volumes as of June 2026. Viz Media began publishing the series in English in 2021, broadening its international reach. The narrative blends time‑travel, supernatural mystery, and action—elements that have proven successful in Takahashi’s earlier works.

The anime premiered on NHK General TV on April 4, 2026, at 23:45 JST and will run continuously for two cours without a break, a scheduling decision that keeps the story’s momentum. Episodes air every Saturday, and the series is available outside Japan on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ in Canada, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. The dual‑platform strategy underscores the growing importance of global streaming services for anime distribution.

The first cour featured the opening “HEARTLOUD” by boy band Kis‑My‑Ft2 and the ending “Juai” (Cursed Love) by TRUE. 20th Century’s energetic pop style and Reina Ueda’s vocal presence are expected to match the darker, historically‑infused atmosphere of the second cour.

Staff for the upcoming episodes remain unchanged from the first. Director Teruo Sato, who helmed Yashahime: Princess Half‑Demon, continues to lead the series. Script supervision is handled by Yūko Kakihara, whose credits include Urusei Yatsura and Cells at Work. Character design and chief animation direction are by Yoshihito Hishinuma, noted for work on InuYasha and Yashahime. Hiromi Kikuta heads the sound team, while music composition is by Shū Kanematsu, also known for scoring My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!.

The cast remains the same, with Yūki Kaji as MAO, Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka, Hiro Shimono as Hyakka, and supporting roles by Momoka Terasawa, Kazuyuki Okitsu, and Motoko Kumai.

Sunrise, a division of Bandai Namco Filmworks under Bandai Namco Holdings, has a long record of adapting high‑profile manga into television series, including Gundam, Code Geass, and the Inuyasha franchise. Its partnership with Hulu and Disney+ for MAO reflects a broader industry trend of collaborating with major streaming platforms to reach international audiences. The manga’s licensing by Viz Media and the anime’s broadcast on NHK highlight the cross‑media strategy that has become a hallmark of Takahashi’s works.

With episode 14 slated for July 4, viewers can expect the new themes to accompany MAO’s continued exploration of supernatural mysteries and time‑crossing adventures. The promo video confirms that the second cour will introduce fresh plot developments and deepen character arcs, while the opening and ending songs aim to reinforce the series’ dark fantasy and historical intrigue. Fans of the manga and the anime can look forward to the next chapter, now enriched by the musical contributions of 20th Century and Reina Ueda.