#Mao Byouki

[nocandnc]

Loollllll he did NOT say all that Viz but I’ll forgive whichever translator was on staff this week because they clearly have superior taste.

[the-kirin]

Mao manga musings...

So, I thought I'd hold off on posting my thoughts about the latest chapters until I saw how the Daigo vs Yurako confrontation turned out. And...

... well.

After revealing his issues, backissues and subscriptions to Yurako, Daigo tries to blackmail her into joining him by claiming that Mao will give up on her once he learns the truth about Sana's murder.

Yurako on the other hand, flat out refuses to work with Daigo. She still sees Mao as her only hope, even though she dreads what will happen if he ever finds out about Sana.

Mao feels guilty about not making more of an effort to help Yurako in the past and wants to save her from the Goko clan, although he's somewhat conflicted over whether or not this is the right thing to do. It seems a Mao vs Daigo confrontation will be on the cards sooner or later.

If that's what it comes to, then it's going to be a tough fight for Mao, to say the least. Daigo is arguably the most powerful onmyouji we've seen so far and his earth magic has the advantage over Mao's water magic. Mao looked up to Daigo like an older brother and still cares for him, even if he's not sure he can trust him. Add Mao's complicated feelings over Yurako and Byouki's possible interference into the mix and we could have a recipe for disaster.

Enter Nanoka. She's been struggling with her own feelings of jealousy and insecurity regarding Mao and Yurako. She also feels like her own skills are still far behind the Goko clan's onmyouji, let alone Daigo's. This sets up another training arc for her.

Takahashi has focused a lot on Nanoka developing her combat and exorcism skills. Mao's statement from chapter 233 foreshadows Nanoka having to take on more dangerous opponents without his help.

Masago also makes a reappearance at the end of the chapter. If this mirror is connected to Masago, then it's likely to provide a serious power boost for any water user. If the Goko clan get hold of it, Nanoka will face even more pressure to improve her skills.

So, where am I going with all this? If Daigo turns on Mao, Nanoka may well have to step up to save him. Granted, there's still a big gap between them for now but I suspect Takahashi made her an earth user for more reasons than just being a foil/complement to Mao. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing where her development goes.

[loopyren]

lol i hate viz (mao spoilers ch 197)

I had enough bro... I'm not a Yurako apologist but Viz is doing her character a disservice... (p.s. Viz sux)

Viz is definitely leaning into the "ex-lover super drama" route a liiittle too much, like on purpose, and it's uhhh really annoying...

Do they have this stereotype that English speakers think a story would be boring if there isn't some trashy nuance, so they create some just to spice it up?... -_-

Yurako is manipulative and possibly scheming something in both languages. But in Japanese she's very clever, coaxing and gentle with her words.

Keywords: COAXING AND GENTLE.

She uses sweet words with an air of good intention. She drops dat くれる (kureru) like crazy — constantly implying how much Mao has done for her that she is so grateful for, that she's in an inferior position to him.

Here are some rough translations of what's she's been saying and how I interpret her tone (as it would be said in English):

(Ch 196) "Don't say it... I know you can't give me an answer. But I've always wanted to convey this to you. You did me a favor and saved me, Mao.

"I'm grateful you taught me what it means to have a human's heart. I'm glad for meeting you..."

(Ch 197) "I can't live normally (if I leave the Gokou clan). You can understand that for me, can't you? Or... do you feel that you'd be able to be by my side... for me?"

When Otoya slashes through Yurako's darkness to meet Mao and he accuses her of deceiving him:

"You're still saying that about me, aren't you... Byouki told me he would teach me Taizanfukun, the life-prolonging technique that the Gokou clan needs... That's why I submitted my ayakashi to him."

"Byouki swore he would absolutely not hurt you. Please believe me... I am only thinking of you, Mao..."

(And then she disappears into the air, lol.)

Yurako is still sketchy in the original language, but she's not annoying.

I'm genuinely not sure what she's saying is true or false. She talks in a flowery, non-asserting way that makes me sort of confused as well...

So it's completely understandable to me why the tenderhearted Mao is lulled by her words.

But in Viz's translation? ...She's another run-of-the-mill damsel in distress and Mao is a complete, gullible dummy. (With his soft heart he can be, but Viz is making him look downright STOOPID lol)

Yurako's shining characteristic/power is being scary good at verbal manipulation. You can't trust her, but she's not detestable. But Viz took her shining trait and went "nahhhhh"

like c'mon man...

[ashitakaxsan]

They encounter the Byouki!

I expected that the confrontation would happen.On chapter 182 of MAO Mao team has arrived Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park.They come face to face with the Byouki Cat Demon!

Just what is the thing Byouki and Natsuno have? About what are they talking about?What sort of arc just begun?

[museeanime]

Best page of this week! This is a great start of a new arc

[uri59]

*Me seeing Haimaru side with Hakubi*:

Im shook 😭😭😭

[byoukimao]

Nanoka and her feral-cat protector

[darlingthebaka]

@mao-week

Mao Week Day 1:

Haimaru

[la-hannya]

*Me catching my cats eating stuff they shouldn't*

[maonoka]

Yknow how sometimes cats wrap their tails around you? It’s that times 7.

[nocandnc]

Reeeeally liked the dramatic lighting in this chapter—!

[tora-kik]

My version of Mao Chibi. The last chapter 14 was very intriguing. Talking about Mao's limits and the great approach to the Byouki's hiding place. I can't wait for the next chapter

[ashitakaxsan]

In the Beast’s Den

The New MAO Arc opened with a simple way,Mao responded to a mother’s Desperate Call. As he and Nanoka arrived they beheld the Ominous Case.Thus he performed  an exorcism to save the girl from a curse.As it unfolds High Stakes are revealed! Nanoka coming along with Mao,and even disguise for any investigation is a good ploy.Either to appear as a scholar to search in Shouko’s religious sect,either as a maid in a respectable salon.

But it’s now different:She’s been noticed by the Gokou.She also knows the stench of betrayal,such as of Kagami Souma of how someone won’t sweat just to get Power with not a bit of Morals.

On Mao’s plan Nanoka donned a borrowed sailor fuku,entered the School,confronted the  Girls perpetrator of the Curse.Kagari,assistant of metal user Hakubi!Would we thought Nanoka foolishly charge to Kagari and ask her Questions? Well Mao had anticipated troubles,so he provided her with a Protective talisman.

Kagari pinned down Nanoka,now assuming of being in Power Position   she states the reasons,Nanoka chan patiently listened to the story.Kagari stated it clearly:Hakubi doesn’t know about all this school cursing ,it’s a mixed of training and pleasure.Plus Her family is running curse Shop,all it’s Power derives from the Puppet Needle,they inherited it by an ancestor,ex pupil in the Gokou Manor.

Nanoka(albeit disgusted with the Mentality of Sadistic Curse doing)remained calm.Once She listened All the story she used the talisman,got free and raced on Kagari.At the same time Mao hears out in what kind of mess Nanoka chan’s got.

Points of the Arc:

Just how all things would’ve come,if Maonoka had gotten quite suspicious with the Kagami family? And with Souma’s Open eagerness for Beast Using too?By anticipating they would’ve searched this household and get the centuries old Scroll (see Kagami,or else as Ayakashi Beast Scroll arc),before Hakubi’s actions.Souma wouldn’t have betrayed Mao.Well,things came as we know them.

The Why Kagari is doing  school cursing,with no strategic plan,doesn’t diminish the seriousness. Maonoka don’t have any luxury to be lax,like the beginning of the Kagami arc.It’s so Vital for them to make it,with the Lessons from the past arcs. As long as the Houshou family possesses the Tool it can curse people,and She’s a valuable Asset of Hakubi.So Vital to Mao team to deprive the Houshou family of the Tool .

I had wondered for a while:Just for how long will Mao be on the tiresome run,the prey  of the Gokou and their underlings? Now comes this slight chance for Maonoka from  prey to become Hunters.

[nocandnc]

Come to think of it, Kamon’s always been absent when it came to Byouki, hasn’t he!

Still, I found it very interesting how startled he was to see Haimaru in the Taisho era. Wonder if this will lead to another twist of mysteries 🤔

[nocandnc]

Really love this revelation.

I’ve often said Mao reminds me of Mermaid Saga most of all, and this hold true here - but in a reversed sort of way.

In Mermaid Saga, Yuta encounters many who sought the mermaid flesh in want of immortality, or beauty, or some other miraculous thing. Yuta asserts again and again that despite how the mermaids flesh might seem like a wondrous medicine, it is in fact a cursed poison through and through. It poisons the body, the mind - cursing the heart and soul, depending on how one handles living forever.

And then we have Mao and Nanoka, cursed by Byouki’s poisonous blood. The most powerful of all kodoku. It’s a curse that’s clung to Mao for centuries, longer than even Yuta.

But Nanoka. She’s fresh blood. Something new. Something different amidst all the curses and killing. She brings about change.

Through her good heart, Nanoka turns the strongest poison into a purifying medicine.

Just a lovely sentiment is all.

[nocandnc]

Mao theory time:

Daigo’s new right arm belonged to Nanoka’s father.

Triggered by the arrival of Natsuno’s bell in the Reiwa era, Byouki discovers Daigo’s missing arm buried in the place Nanoka’s parents died, back where the timelines first converged. Quite a coincidence, no?

Byouki is surprised by this however. It’s not like the arm had been buried there intentionally after all… but on accident. In an accident.

Sure, it looks like Daigo’s arm now… but I don’t think it looked like that from the beginning. I don’t think it was really Daigo’s arm, or that his body was chopped up and scattered across Japan.

The reason why Natsuno must look for the parts gradually, I beleive, is because it takes time for suitable ‘replacement parts’ to turn up. For people capable of conforming to Daigo’s powers to be born and grow to adulthood.

So what caused the change?

Being buried.

Daigo was of the earth element, so to me it makes perfect sense that prolonged exposure to it would cause a change. If earthen medicine can heal wounds, why not graft limbs and transform flesh entirely?

We see on the day of the accident that the Kiba family vehicle was run pretty far into the ground. It’s not unlikely that the front windshield shattered in the crash. Between the broken glass and crumpled metal, a limb could easily get severed… and depending on how the extraction was conducted, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if it got lost in the ground as a result.

But why Nanoka’s father?

Because bloodlines matter when it comes to onmyouji prowess. If great skill is possessed by the parent, it’s likely this talent will be passed onto the child. Like Daigo, Nanoka is of the earth element… so her father should be as well. Strongly enough to suit Daigo’s resurrection needs.

So what does this mean?

Well, nothing for now! But to have Daigo’s final body part be discovered in the Reiwa era, in the place Nanoka’s parents died… I feel there must be a bigger reason for this.

It’s with his right hand that we first see Daigo doing good, acting on some sort of reflex to protect a girl from angry villagers. If there were some fatherly instincts bleeding through… something connecting Daigo to Nanoka… I think that’d be interesting indeed.

And that’s the end of my rambling! Enjoy!!