In Mao Vol 1, Nanoka is a schoolgirl with a tragic history. While traveling with her parents, their car falls into a deep sinkhole. While seven-year-old Nanoka is saved, her parents are both dead. When she returns to the site years later trying to discover what happened, she passes into an alternate reality. There she meets the exorcist Mao and his assistant Otoyo. Mao is searching for the shape-hiding monster Byoki. Nanoka experiences some strange phenomenon and decides to tag along with Mao and Otoyo.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mao Vol 1. It has a quest, time travel, ghosts, monsters, and three great mysteries. I couldn’t ask for a more seamless genre mash-up—whether in a manga or a standard book. 5 stars and a favorite!
Thanks to VIZ Media and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.