#onmyuji natsuno

[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]

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]

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]

Natsuno Throws Charms!

     https://www.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