Mao is the main character of the eponymous story Mao. Throughout his long life, Mao has remained mature, reserved and somewhat aloof. He tends to dwell on his past and what he can't remember, which drives his obsessive search for the Byōki who cursed him. Mao favors onmyōdō exorcism and healing techniques, and avoids curse techniques. When in his Byōki form, Mao is outside the bounds of the Chinese elemental cycle, allowing him to attack at will without the threat of being exorcised.