Finished
“Detectives Mizoguchi and Inoue hunt a photographer while battling a spreading biological horror in Manhole.”
Manhole
マンホール
7.12
7,685 rank · 15,760 readers · 100 favorites
Seinen
Detective
Horror
Mystery
Would You Love or Hate This?
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
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Honest pros & cons
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Synopsis
Detectives Mizoguchi and Inoue hunt a photographer while battling a spreading biological horror in Manhole.
What do two Japanese detectives, a naked man on a city street, and a roundworm from Botswana all have in common? In the first volume of Manhole, Ken Mizoguchi and Nao Inoue investigate a string of bloody and mysterious murders, but their work uncovers a deadly biological agent which poses a threat of epidemic proportions. An unlikely lead starts them in the pursuit of a mysterious self-titled photographer, but meanwhile the infections keep spreading. The series may be best described as the thrilling combination of a detective story with biological horror. (Source: Illuminati-Manga)
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 7 sampled reviews
6.7
/10
What 7 readers settled on.
100%
recommend
Score distribution
median 7
mode 5
σ 1.39
Agreement
Mostly aligned
σ 1.39 · some divergence
The polarity gap
—
Not enough recommend signal yet
Score over time
↓ 1.29
Running avg · Dec 2009 → Jan 2026
Snap verdicts
· shortest highly-rated reviews
- 8 “This manga features a compelling, well-paced storyline and generally impressive art that makes it a worthwhile read for anyone with a few hours to spare. However, the plot can occasionally feel...”
- 7 “This manga offers an engaging blend of horror, mystery, and gore, featuring a solid detective duo and a compelling scientific investigation into the mosquito plague. However, the 29-chapter run...”
- 9 “Manhole is an engaging thriller featuring well-designed, likable characters and a fascinating, anthropologically-driven narrative surrounding the infection. While some characters can feel unlikable...”
Verbosity
Short · 57%
Medium · 43%
Long · 0%
Read Order & Related
A self-contained story.
No sequels, spin-offs or alternate tellings — Manhole begins and ends here.
Cast
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A Manga Publication
- Format 29 × 3 ch × vol
- Total read 3h 52m approx
- Published Dec 2004 – May 2006
- Source Manga media type
- Ref. BS-M1281 catalog