Voice actress M・A・O’s agency Yellow Cab NEXT has released a statement responding to a report in Kodansha’s photo weekly FRIDAY, which went on sale on October 23, 2026. The agency answered questions that FRIDAY’s editorial department had sent in advance, clarifying facts about M・A・O’s dining with fellow voice actor Ono Kenshou and the nature of their private relationship.
Agency addresses FRIDAY article
The statement, titled Regarding the article published in Kodansha’s FRIDAY on October 23, 2026, opens by saying that although the matter concerns her private life, the agency will answer clearly to prevent misunderstanding.
Dinner after a movie
Regarding the meal with Ono after watching a film, the agency said it was only a matter of coincidental timing and was not intended as a special birthday celebration. It also explained that Ono is a co-star she has worked with in various productions and is, from what the agency has heard, simply one of the senior actors she respects.
Online game sessions explained
On the private side, the agency acknowledged that during a certain period M・A・O often played a multiplayer online game with a group, basically around five or six people, though not every day. Because participants could change depending on the time, the group could end up with two people, but the agency said she never joined with the purpose of playing alone with Ono from the start.
No romantic relationship, agency says
The statement continued that M・A・O regularly reports and consults about her private life and that the agency manages her under a relationship of trust. It concluded that there is 100% no romantic relationship between a man and a woman and asked for confirmation and sincere reporting.
M・A・O’s career and upcoming roles
M・A・O was born on February 1, 1992, and is from Osaka. She is known for roles including Sagisawa Fumika in THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, Shion in Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, and Pecorine in Princess Connect! Re:Dive. She is also active as an actor under the name Ichimichi Mao, including as Luka Millfy / Gokai Yellow in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.
In the October 2026 season, she appears as Nanami in Magical★Explorer and as Dike in Tensei Goblin dakedo Shitsumon aru?. In 2027, her January-season roles include Miyabi in Kekkaishi no Ichirinka and Akao Akira in SAKAMOTO DAYS Season 2. She also has many other appearances lined up, including Rin in the second cour of Hokuto no Ken -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR- and Akimoto Reiko in Shin Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen-mae Hashutsujo.
