20th Century Sings New Opening for Second Season of “MAO” – 26 Years After “Inuyasha”

The second half of the first TV anime season of Rumiko Takahashi’s “MAO” is getting a new opening theme. As announced by the production committee on June 18, 2026, the group 20th Century will perform the opening theme for the second cour. The song is titled “Bokura ga Overwrite Sekai” (“The World We Overwrite”).

20th Century consists of former V6 members Masayuki Sakamoto, Hiroshi Nagano, and Yoshihiko Inohara. For the trio, this marks their first collaboration with a Rumiko Takahashi adaptation in 26 years – in 2000, as V6, they contributed the legendary opening “CHANGE THE WORLD” to the anime “Inuyasha.”

The song was written specifically for the anime. It was composed, written, and arranged by MHRJ. 20th Century will release the digital single on June 28, 2026, on major streaming platforms. A corresponding visual, which graphically incorporates the title, has also been released.

To commemorate the collaboration, the uncut opening of “Inuyasha” with V6’s “CHANGE THE WORLD” will be shown on YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok until September 27, 2026 – as a tribute to the artists’ shared history with the manga author’s works.

The series “MAO” has been airing on NHK General since April 2026, every Saturday at 11:45 PM. The second cour starts on July 4, 2026, with episode 14. Yuki Kaji voices the lead role of Mao; other voice actors include Natsumi Kawaiida (Kyo Nanaka), Momoka Terasawa (Otsuya), Hiro Shimono (Hyakka), Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Kamon), Kazuyuki Okitsu (Shiranui), Motoko Kumai (Funa), Yoko Hikasa (Tenko), Risa Shimizu (Sana), Reina Ueda (Yurako), and Takeshi Matsuyama (Nekoki).

The first cour opening was by Kis-My-Ft2 with the title “HEARTLOUD,” and the ending theme “Jurai” was sung by TRUE. The animation is produced by Sunrise, as with previous Takahashi adaptations. The director is Teruo Sato, the series composition is by Yuko Kakihara, and the character design is by Yoshihito Hishizuna.

“MAO” is the latest manga work by award-winning artist Rumiko Takahashi, who has reached millions of readers worldwide with series such as “Urusei Yatsura,” “Maison Ikkoku,” “Ranma 1/2,” “Inuyasha,” and “Kyoukai no Rinne.” The story is set in Japan’s Taisho era: The 900-year-old onmyoji Mao meets the girl Kyo Nanaka, who travels from the present day into his world – together, they confront an ancient curse.