#Onmyuji Mao

[ashitakaxsan]

Rumiko's Word about Nanoka:)

On the start of the week Rumiko sama outlines her protagonist Girl of MAO:Kiba Nanoka.

"Nanoka had a terrible accident when she was young and lost both of her parents, but I also like that she hasn't lost her positivity. She's in that kind of situation so she doesn't force herself to try to be cheerful, and I think she's a cheerful girl at heart." -Rumiko Takahashi.

My say:Nanoka chan is a strong girl,cool,sweet and Original.Cause she's really new,an innovation in manga.She's also good one how she interacts with these centuries old,Immortal Onmyoji:Mao,Hyakka,Kamon, and Natsuno.

Below:Her jow hearing she gets the control on the Akanemaru katana:

Below:How she prevents Mao of walking into Yurako's Deadly hands(MAO chapter 68):

Natsuno:

[uri59]

*Ranma, Inuyasha, Rinne, basically*: Don't you dare to lay a finger on my crush or I'll kill you! You bastard!!

.

.

.

Mao: This is a sacred item, take it and go fight those demons, Nanoka.

*Nanoka, running and kicking for her life*: Waaaaaaaa, I hate it here!!

*Mao, proudly*: That's my girl...

[ashitakaxsan]

They're A Great Duo

Two People were certain that Nanoka is really Strong:Mao and Shiraha kun. Nanoka has gone from weak(I'm scared, I can't do that")to Strong ("I won't lose to you").

They're a Great Duo When they Fight side by side.

Plus it's this chemistry,and this maturity they apply to solve any issues. She confirms their evaluations.

I the next chapter:Nanoka Vs Souma.

If He'll loose to Her he'll have No excuse at all.

[ashitakaxsan]

Why Takahashi Rumiko’s MAO is BLAST

Her current manga series MAO (story &art) has a lot of action.At the core of the story –deeper than time travel,magic,occult,dealings with yokai and ayakashi-are relationships of ex classmates have gone awry,plus a man’s pain and grief from the death his fiancee.The entire plot is based on events that occured during Japan’s Heian period(1000 AD),prior to the now timeline.

It begins with Kiba Nanoka,a female high school student,who 8 years ago escaped a near-death experience-due to some supernatural circumstances.She remembers it,even though She couldn’t figure the reasons and circumstances.

Now fifteen years old,she’s whiskered in the Taishou era,gets chased down by a man-eating yokai, but she’s saved by the mysterious Mao—a young man of this era.As she uses the time portal to pay visits to Mao(to get the answers about why her First death)she befriends with him.What’s more ?She likes Him.Now the two orphans cowork to unriddle the scheme in his past,that turned his friends into Vengeful Hunters Against Him.

(image above:Mao in his current appearance and outfit)

The Origin and the Grief

Mao was born in Japan,during 1000 AD.His early life began an orphanage,with many hardships,at the same time he was sharpening his higher skills and learning magic techniques.On his teens he entered a boarding school for onmyuji,being run by the prestigious Gokou clan.Where it was divided to five classes Water,Earth,Fire,Metal and Wood.

The earnest Mao got the good interest of the principal,and Sana’s cat Haimaru.The principal favored him,by entrusting him the magical,sentient-but Ominous-Hagunsei katana and arranging him(for a badding marriage)with his daughter Sana.Mao was in love with her.It would go smooth.But overnight Shishou Gokou was killed by an unknown perpetrator,Mao was shot by many arrows,meanwhile (Sana’s cat who had transformed to a Horrible Cat  Demon)the Byouki rampaged the manor and its men.Soon it came face to face with Mao. To defend himself, with the Hagunsei ,he severed Byouki’s head from the body,while its head led way –there causing a freak mishap:Byouki’s body got fused with Mao’s,transmutating him to a Hanyou.

When after hours he turned to human and regained his consciousness he saw devastation everywhere: Sana was dead, many guards too ,as for the Temple  was burned down.Ever since (for 9 centuries) he wandered across Japan ,having assumed the Byouki was someone’s field agent[Image below:Lady Sana]. 

(Above:The Daughter of Onmyuji Instructor Lady Sana and her cat Haimaru)

Now,in the Taishou era,Mao gets vehemently blamed,by ex classmates for the murder of the Gokou Instructor and Sana,and for the arson.All these while He’s unable to remember all the events of  that night.

Sadly  ex disciples Shiranui,Hakubi detest Mao for his  alleged treason,they hunt Him down to eliminate him.Weird they gladly take orders from a mysterious woman,called Yurako.Who has the exact appearance of the long ago deceased Sana sama!Is Sana resurrected,or is she a mere double?

The Mystery all around

So who(and how)could’ve killed the Gokou?All of it remaines a mystery.There were slight indications:The eyes of dead Shishou Gokou(with his chest on the floor)eyes were looking strait forward, with glare of shock.Implying he had come face to face with the would-be killer.

Plus ex worker in the manor,now turned to assassin,Mokuzu explaines (chapter 34)shocking details to Mao and Hyakka:As he followed a person’s orders he tossed Haimaru in a poison Imp hole,by killing snakes and boars he Transformed to the Byouki.This says it was  the Beginning of the plan to destroy the Gokou.Telling hat Byouki ate the Secret  Book of Taizunfukun.But in the Chamber there was Only Mao.So how did Mokuzu know of this?Can this imply that there was a  watcher,from distance of the whole scene?

The Pendulum of Fate has turned for.

Nanoka’s encounter with Mao  is a work of fate for the great Good.The Byuoki  decided for a new vessel,so  it soaked Nanoka to his blood,mutating her to an ayakashi.But it has good side effects on the story:When Nanoka  accidentally gave her blood(chapter 38:Mixing Of Blood)to injured Mao it worked as transfusion healing him by any injuries.In addition:When they’re are together,due to Byouki’s Blood flowing in each of them,has  amazing effects.Such as they become stealth for any onmyodo surveillance methods![image below Nanoka]

(Above:Japanese Student Kiba Nanoka)

But Mao unexpectadly finds for good an ex disciple:The girl Natsuno,an earth user,who reveales to Him and his friends how Sana sama was murdered.The very night of the fire in the Treasury a Black jaki(taking advantage of the commotion)ripped off Sana’s  heart organ,taking along it while fleeing. She also clarifies something awful too:Every other disciple-albeit never saw it- simply assumed he had seen  Mao have done it.

Due Hakubi,as the most respected pupil, strongly blamed  Mao for it every one accepted it.That’s why the low value onmyoji Natsuno wasn’t believed at all! She objects to the notion about Sana being alive:”Sana sama is definitely dead.I saw it with my eyes”.

As she states to Mao “After that I couldn’t do anything,the Gokou family was finished.And no one cared about knowing the truth”.[image below

Natsuno] 

(Above:Earth User natsuno as she tosses charms)

Hakubi the Dangerous.

The Flavors in there

a)The romance between Mao and Nanoka is what offers a Flavor to the Series,to his case as well.She likes him,she gladly comes to His Era and assist him,all these while she could chose easiness with classmate Shiraha kun.She also helps him muster the courage to get over with the issues of the long ago dead Sana.While Yurako is her mere lookalike. With now a difference they have their arguments,they mend them with maturity.Fascinating:)

b)The strong women.Nanoka,Natsuno,Tenko and Yurako.Their heart,their mind and their abilities convey the messages of Takahashi rumiko.Each one and all capture our interest.

Creepy Thoughts

If a Villainous Mastermind is always one step ahead of the hero that’s because of:

a)He’s quite networked,he’s got an immense organization to carry out projects instantly.

B)He has known Him.Probably has a personal grudge on Him.

C) All these two above .

Who in purpose did kill the Gokou,easily framed Mao for these crimes? Probably the Black Jaki followed orders by some one, a person who knew them,and others  in there.Otherwise it wouldn’t be  with out a pattern.[Below image of Romance]

 At that time there was only one person who could’ve been the mastermind.One who had been disciple in the school,and relishing with the idea to manipulate people.Mao’s close friend from the orphanage,Daigo.

In chapter 59 he reveals to Mao the Great Desire.”You’ll be able to control the world from behind the scenes”,had told him. So his Goal,obsession,was to become a Ruthless,Manipulative Emperor.

But he was seen dead,at the start of a succession war.But what if it was his Ruse?

It will last for Very Long

Albeit early to tell it’s  safe estimation that Mao team has a Quite long and Dangerous Route ahead.To unravel the Mystery,to publicly prove Mao’s Innocense to the other ex pupils,and to defeat the Villain of the story.It really worths it:)!

[ashitakaxsan]

Fight about the Possession!

Maonoka would favor a calm Day. But the deadly attack on Blacksmith Meimeidou leads them to Souma! He has the Katana,He reveales that this was an item of the Gokou Clan.

This ensues to a Fight about who'll posssess it. It's open that Souma has had training by Hakubi on beast using.

It's a bout for the Katana.

"Souma, you've become regular Gokou Family Dupe". Did Nanoka chan really say dupe? Or did She say lackey?

Win Or Death case!

How will this arc end? Will the confident Beast User Souma triumph over them(but namely a Victory for the Gokou) ?How will Maonoka Make it out of this?

The whole arc has Purposes:

A) Save Kanae chan from the Cursed Katana.

B) Nanoka to acquire an effective Weapon to defend her self, and her friends as well.With all these She has seen and experienced she decided to get Stronger. Plus She's getting studying the onmyodo techniques.

It would really suck if,let's say,Souma beats, while taking the Katana along. We would get annoyied, indignant about it. It seems He can anticipate their moves. With such significance Let's guess probable twists:

1)To beat Souma Mao goes to Byouki Mode-but the risky move might backfire on them(:

2)Nanoka Quickly has an Idea, she performs something unexpected, using an unused element of her potential. They beat him.

That’s Why we're anxiously waiting to see the next chapter. Rumiko sama crafted a Quite a Suspence thriller!

[ashitakaxsan]

That’s True:Ugly!

The current MAO arc opened with an insight of a New Menace.

Maonoka just got to investigate a Macabre case of Burglary,Blood sucking too.Soon Mao deduces that Kanae chan isn’t what She appears:Actually She’s the Bloody Atacker,cursed!

Kanae chan approaches Maonoka,as She’s cursed to be with a very old weapon,the Hanei katana,she has promptly connected with the Cursed,Malevolent Katana. Wheather it’s a magical object from the Gokou treasury or not it isn’t for now the First Priority.

Now let’s pay Attention:Below Kanae chan,she’s as much Disgusting as much is Souma Kagami(the Ayakashi Scroll Arc).

(Souma as he decided to kill of Nanoka,chapter 76)

Will any of the current Gokou charge in? We don’t know.But what’s the point of Nanoka to still perceive chance for peacefull solution?Why would She have to stay as weak,powerless?(:

[ashitakaxsan]

Nanoka really Shined.

Mao team was caught off guard from Hakubi’s plan,in a real ominous situation.  Truly Hakubi seemed having the Upper hand in the Whole Case:The eager for beast using(and quite a nihilist)Souma,the magic Puppet Pin on Mao’s back,thus commanding Him like a mere puppet.And the Teleportation Portal.

Naturally it came to Nanoka to fight the Gokou.

It did seem as “insane” for a girl to fight it.It was pure and sheer:I Fight,or we all get killed.She took the hagunsei katana,charged against the Beast. She really injured it!

So much Crucial that Hakubi decided to flee,taking Mao along.If He would make it then Mao would be doomed(: Nanoka flying with so much speed to his Rescue,sliced Hakubi’s cables that grabbing him.She ruined the abduction oparation.With so many at stake it would be foolish to brag about her prowess.Even though to us(on the surface)looked crazy she charged on rampaging Mao,keeping senses while extending her arm to His back,there She removed the Pin!:)

The Gokou realized(along with treacherous Souma)they had lost.Mao regained freedom,he jumped attacking them.But they teleported way!Souma mentions in sadness he was useless.That’s the hot Point:He betrayed the Benevolent doctor Mao for gain an Ayakashi beast,but he couldn’t beat Nanoka.

The whole arc,despite the bad taste from Souma’s betrayal,was a Real Strong.It’s Satisfaction Nanoka really shined,she exceeded her “usual” self to fight for the good of her beloved Mao,and her friends as well.Why to hide it?If She had stayed underpowered,throughout the series,that would be so alien for the Rumicworld.Plus it would convey a wrong message,such as:”All girls are weaklings”.

I reckon that from now on Nanoka is valued to learn the onmyuji techniques,to learn quite well also the use of a weapon(katana,or kusarigama).

Because Hakubi will always remember of how this Bold girl foiled the Plan(about Mao’s abduction).”I underestimated Nanoka”,he says at the closing.He can’t take it lightly(either as captain either as centuries old onmyuji)he lost to her.We can’t know,for now,if he had fought in the past against courageous women.

Takahashi Rumiko sama has seriously worked to give us a such Good Series.Manga needs to be Good.Anything good will be a series.As Simple as that:)

How will Nanoka act? How will Hakubi plan also to beat her?

[ashitakaxsan]

Yurako,your hands are Knifes!(:

MAO chapter 87 surpassed my expectations. But it’s Appropriate to see the many times Nanoka was exposed in Dangers:

She protected Him by every(except of Hitokabe village)Gokou trap,ambush.Recently  Hakubi acknowledged Her as Competent enemy.He and Yurako would surely remember Her(:

(Image Above:Yurako extends her hands,but these are Knifes.Chapter 68)

(”Don’t!”)

So She got their Curiosity,but more their Animocity too.All of these did form up a Tension.Kagari using the magical Needle technique caught Nanoka,swiftly brought her to a Home.Where Yurako approaches her.This gives her chills,to us as well..

Yurako sat next to her,began talking.We need to get this gist:It’s only a bit of a conversation,it’s more as She soliloquizes.She admits she has lived since the Heian period,that she noticed Mao always watchful on Sana.

She claimes “I  suppose I love Mao very much”.”This name was given by the head of the Gokou Family”.”This Is My Face”, she angrilly yells to Nanoka. Now having finished it,with the emotional impact all around,and with pissed expression unleashes her killing Ayakashi,on Nanoka…

Fortunately Mao followed the traces left by the careless Kagari.The gorgeous is he came prepared,with a Serious Plan.He calmly anticipated needles attack,Instantly he pulled a reifu,raising a barrier that repelled them on her! Lol,she’s got a dose of her medicine.Now controlling her he walks there.

(Way To Go,Mao:) You know to be Calm,Collective)I find it Very Interesting the writing in his Katashiro.

The Weird Points.

She did say some truths,but she also said some lies,and used a Lot of secrecy>  She hides it if She ever believed  the consensus opinion about “Mao the traitor”.She ignores Nanokas mention about the murderous Black jaki(we may call it anti Sana jaki)

She didn’t say a Honest Sorry,an apology:

a)For the Ambush on Mao,in underseas Shiranui’s Shrine(chapter 65).

b)About How she knocked  Natsuno with the Black jaki.

c)About Hakubi’s constant ploys,which are all hers as well.

(image above:Yurako’s Deadly Jaki against Mao.Chapter 68)

She’s Sly in the choise of words:She made a distorted Version of facts.Why?

To induce remorse to Nanoka,to force her feel as an intruder between Yurako and the “Love Interest”,Mao! To Compel her feel unworthy of Mao’s love.Plus Yurako will kill off Nanoka in this  narrow basement,no one will see anything(: Perfect for an Assassination(:

I wondered If this ploy was somewhere in a previous Mao arc. I realize that Shiranui used a similar one:It was meant to make Kamon  feel remorse about Masago’s Murder,(in the Gokou estate)a little before suffocation attack!

It makes Creepy Sense.

My Conclusion:

What Horrible Ploy,with Rhetoric.Trick your opponent  to compel on Him remorse ,then swiftly kill Him.Being so discouraged he won’t be in fighting Spirit any more. Let’s expect this won’t work on Nanoka chan.It’s Yurako with Hatred on Mao,cause She has believed this whole Accusation on Mao.If  not for Shiranui it’s Hakubi’s goals match Yurako’s.

Well I guess She’s Sana’s Hidden Twin Sister.No other way can be explained either the Resemblance either the team up with Hakubi. I was impressed with a soliloque of Shiranui:”It’s Awesome.The obsession of that woman being slurped up…”.He referred to Yurako!She just wants Mao Dead.  

[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.

[ashitakaxsan]

Natsuno sama is Innocent.

Earth user Natsuno is really significant.As she revealed to Mao team all the Awful Event(900 years ago):That a Black jaki murdered Sana sama. She also stated why She wasn’t believed at all.Everyone chose the easiness of assuming “Mao is the traitor”.It’s such an irony,that throughout the ages the crowd prefers to assume,just to avoid Serious Thinking.Even when an eye witness talks,but he/she is of a low prestige!

In the current arc things go Deeper:Kamon revealed about 900 years ago he found her in a Hidenin,she was dying by an illness!He listened that each night Pestilence God was Stalking her.Kamon decided to save her.

He stayed Awake,placed a Protection barrier around Natsuno and performed a technique to destroy this Entity.It turned out it was an Earth Shikigami,suddenly Natsuno broke the barrier and vanished through a weird blastlike barrier. The debris left a skar on Kamon’s right cheeck.

Weird Points:

Natsuno sama can’t clearly remember if She was ever called in the Five Color Shrine(of the Gokou clan).Desperate to live she accepted the visits of this Earth Shikigami,and formed a Promise with its  Mysterious owner.Each 100 years She receives medicine prolonging her life,in exchange She’s to fulfill tasks…

Thoughts:

Could’ve someone stalked her down just to terrify her,in the Hidenin.?What if He has mentally messed her recollections to force her do his biding?Yes.  Racketeer is the word here.But Why Did He Chose  Her,of All the Earth users ,for something so Significant? What if He also hired an other Earth User,who doesn’t know anything about Her? The one worker doesn’t know He has a partner...?

The Skar on Kamon indicates an unseen Earth User,who deliberately gave it to Him as warning:”Don’t you ever interfere with my plans.I’ll kill you if you do that again”.We’ve seen that each one been called to Five Color Shrine can hurt and kill each other.

Who is the Manipulator behind All this Mystery?Probably someone set out for High gains.Perhaps Daigo? Maybe He surpasses Naraku in scheming,

*I noticed that Her hairdo resembles the one of deceased Sana sama.As far as I can tell Natsuno sama(with this hair style)honours Sana sama.For the Kindness of the murderd girl,who so many appreciated her.

[ashitakaxsan]

My Hyakka and Nanoka fanart. See in my deviantart.com/xxthe-needed-manxx/

[ashitakaxsan]

My MAO Fanart.Each and every one belongs to Takahashi Rumiko,creator of the ongoing manga series MAO.

https://www.deviantart.com/xxthe-needed-manxx

[ashitakaxsan]

Natsuno Throws Charms!

     https://www.deviantart.com/xxthe-needed-manxx