Twenty-six years after lending their voices to the iconic opening of Inuyasha, the group 20th Century (Sakamoto Masayuki, Nagano Hiroshi, Inohara Yoshihiko) is set to perform the second cour opening theme for the television anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi’s latest manga, MAO. The song is titled “Bokura ga Uwaki suru Sekai” (lyrics, composition, arrangement by MHRJ), and the new cour will begin with episode 14 on July 4, 2026.
20th Century previously contributed to a Takahashi anime as part of V6, singing “CHANGE THE WORLD” for Inuyasha in 2000. This marks their first involvement with a Takahashi work in over a quarter century.
In a statement, the trio expressed their joy: “We have a connection with Rumiko Takahashi-sensei since the opening theme for Inuyasha, ‘CHANGE THE WORLD.’ We are truly honored to once again be part of a work drawn by Rumiko-sama. We hope that fans of MAO will come to love this song.”
To commemorate the announcement, the non-credit opening of Inuyasha featuring V6’s “CHANGE THE WORLD” is being streamed for a limited time on the Sunrise Channel on YouTube and other platforms. The video will be available until September 27, 2026, at 0:10 JST.
About MAO
MAO is the latest work by Rumiko Takahashi, creator of legendary series such as Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, and Kyoukai no Rinne. The manga has been serialized in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday since 2019, and the total worldwide circulation of its compiled volumes has surpassed 200 million copies.
The story is a dark fantasy time-slip mystery. It follows Mao, a mysterious onmyoji living in the Taisho era, and Kibanano Kana, a middle school girl from the Reiwa era who stumbles into the Taisho period. Together they confront a curse that has persisted for 900 years. The animation is produced by Sunrise, the studio behind the Inuyasha series.
Staff
- Director: Satou Teruo
- Series Composition: Kakiwara Yuuko
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Hishinuma Yoshihito
- Art Director: Katou Hiroshi, Hoki Izumi
- Color Design: Ootsuka Masumi
- CG Director: Fujie Tomohiro
- Director of Photography: Fushihara Akane
- Editor: Nii Kazuhiro
- Sound Director: Kikuta Hiroki
- Music: Kanematsu Shu
- Animation Production: Sunrise
- Production: “MAO” Production Committee
Cast
- Mao: Kaji Yuuki
- Kibanano Kana: Kawaita Natsumi
- Hyakka: Shimono Hiro
- Kamon: Toyonaga Toshiyuki
MAO is currently airing on NHK General every Saturday at 23:45. The first cour opening theme was Kis-My-Ft2’s “HEARTLOUD,” and the ending theme was TRUE’s “Juuai.”
(c) Rumiko Takahashi / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise 2000
