Mao, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
VIZ Media LLC
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
ISBN: 9781974720521
Nanoka Kiba is your average teenager except for a mysterious fatal car accident she had as a child. Curious and drawn to an abandoned shopping center, Nanoka finds herself spirited to the Taisho era, where she happens to be saved by a mysterious boy named Mao. When Nanoka returns to her time, she learns that she is not as normal as she first thought. Full of questions, Nanoka returns back to the Taisho era looking for answers but finds herself pulled into Mao’s mystical investigations. They realize they might share a supernatural connection as they look into these paranormal occurrences.
Author and artist Rumiko Takahashi does it again! As in her previous series (InuYasha, Ranma ½), she crafts an imaginative world full of yokai while adding a generous dash of mystery and adventure. Takahashi’s magical story will enthrall both new and returning fans with a familiar yet unique storyline. With a recognizable and classical manga style, readers will be delighted with the detailed, stunning graphics that lure anyone who begins this enchanting story.
Give Mao, vol. 1 to graphic novel readers who enjoy Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki and appreciate the Rumiko Tasahashi’s other books, and to fans of TV shows like Discovery of Witches and anime like In/Spectre, Demon Slayer, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, and Tsubasa Chronicle.
—Shaira Rock
Other Nominated Titles:
- The Walking Cat, vol. 1-3: A Cat’s-Eye View of the Zombie Apocalypse by Tomo Kitaoka (October 26, 2021)
- Whisper Me a Love Song, vol. 4 by Eku Takeshima (October 26, 2021)
- Tin Man by Justin Madson (April 19, 2022)
- Fangirl: The Manga, vol. 2 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs and Gabi Nam (June 14, 2022)
- Into the Heartlands: A Black Panther Graphic Novel by Roseanne A. Brown, Dika Araújo, Natacha Bustos and Claudia Aguirre (May 3, 2022)
- Blue Period, vol. 6 by Tsubasa Yamaguchi (March 22, 2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
