Mao Ichimichi, born on February 1, 1992 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, is a versatile Japanese actress and voice actress who has built a substantial career across live-action and animated entertainment. She began her journey in the entertainment industry under the stage name Rio Minami, initially gaining attention as a member of Horipro's HOP Club, an idol group, and as a gravure idol. This early exposure helped her develop a foundation in performance and public presence, setting the stage for her eventual transition into more prominent acting roles. Ichimichi's breakout moment came when she was cast in the tokusatsu series Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, where she played the role of Luka Millfy/Gokai Yellow from 2011 to 2012. This role in the long-running Super Sentai franchise brought her widespread recognition and established her as a rising star in Japanese live-action television, showcasing her ability to handle action-heavy roles with charisma and energy.

Following her success in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, Ichimichi expanded her career by adopting the stage name M?A?O for her voice acting work. Under this alias, she has become a prolific voice actress in anime, lending her voice to a wide range of characters across popular series. Notable roles include the lead character Yayoi Kise in Smile PreCure!, Shion in The Seven Deadly Sins, and various characters in series such as Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, and Overlord. Her ability to convey emotion and personality through voice alone has earned her a dedicated fanbase in the anime community, and she has frequently been cast in both main and supporting roles, demonstrating her versatility. Ichimichi has also continued to work in live-action, appearing in television dramas and films, including a role in the live-action adaptation of Gatchaman and guest appearances on variety shows.

In addition to her acting and voice work, Ichimichi has maintained a presence in the music industry, performing theme songs for some of her anime roles and participating in character song albums. She has also lent her voice to video games, such as Persona 5 and Fire Emblem Heroes, further broadening her reach across different media. Her dual career as Mao Ichimichi for live-action and M?A?O for voice acting has allowed her to navigate the Japanese entertainment industry with remarkable adaptability. As of the present, she remains active in both fields, continuing to take on new projects in anime, live-action television, and film. Her contributions to the Super Sentai franchise and her extensive anime voice work have solidified her reputation as a dedicated and talented performer, admired by fans for her energetic performances and professional versatility.