MAO (2026): cast, story & where to watch
2026 · Series · ★ 8.9
Released in 2026, MAO is an animation, action & adventure, sci-fi & fantasy and mystery series.
What it’s about. Eight years ago, Nanoka Kiba was saved from the wreckage of a fatal accident at Gogyō Town Shopping Center. Drawn to the abandoned passage of storefronts on her walk home from school in present day, she becomes inexplicably transported to Japan's Taishō period where she meets the mysterious Mao, a fellow traveler whose arrival at a ghost-inhabited village is simultaneous with hers. Together, they investigate the bizarre events that begin to occur around them, and Nanoka soon pieces together her broken memories of the accident and how she and Mao may have something more sinister in common.
Who’s in it. MAO stars Yuki Kaji as Mao (voice), Natsumi Kawaida as Nanoka Kiba (voice), Hiro Shimono as Hyakka (voice) and Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kamon (voice), among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.9/10, MAO sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Hulu. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch MAO page.
If you liked it. Fans of MAO tend to enjoy Rick and Morty, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Attack on Titan and Attack on Titan: No Regrets.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch MAO (2026)?
- In US, MAO is available to stream on Hulu. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is MAO worth watching?
- MAO holds an audience score of 8.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy animation, action & adventure, sci-fi & fantasy and mystery. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in MAO?
- MAO stars Yuki Kaji, Natsumi Kawaida, Hiro Shimono, Toshiyuki Toyonaga and Momoka Terasawa.
- When was MAO released?
- MAO was released in 2026.