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Manhole #3
Manhole Volume 3
The threat of a manmade global pandemic looms... From rising star manga artist Tetsuya Tsutsui comes a three-volume horror-thriller following two detectives as they untangle a string of mysterious deaths and come face to face with a much larger conspiracy.
The mastermind responsible for the filariasis epidemic is finally unmasked. Behind the Machiavellian plot is a wounded and resentful man, who believes society excuses abhorrent behavior and is too lenient on latent criminals. Intent on revenge and wanting more severe repercussions on lawbreakers, he began experimenting on society lowlifes, set on making his worm common the country over. Now he’s ready for the next step in his plan, but when Investigator Mizoguchi succumbs to his own infection, who is left that can thwart the mastermind? The exhilarating conclusion to Tetsuya Tsutsui's biological thriller!
The mastermind responsible for the filariasis epidemic is finally unmasked. Behind the Machiavellian plot is a wounded and resentful man, who believes society excuses abhorrent behavior and is too lenient on latent criminals. Intent on revenge and wanting more severe repercussions on lawbreakers, he began experimenting on society lowlifes, set on making his worm common the country over. Now he’s ready for the next step in his plan, but when Investigator Mizoguchi succumbs to his own infection, who is left that can thwart the mastermind? The exhilarating conclusion to Tetsuya Tsutsui's biological thriller!
226 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2006
7 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 27, 2025
"Consider this joint heaven, 'cause you're headed to hell."
This wrapped up pretty good. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be due to all the reviews I spotted. It wasn't as gory nor as f*ked up as the other two volumes but this edition was good. But I don't think this is over....
Don't say that I didn't warn you.
This wrapped up pretty good. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be due to all the reviews I spotted. It wasn't as gory nor as f*ked up as the other two volumes but this edition was good. But I don't think this is over....
Don't say that I didn't warn you.
September 30, 2025
This series started with some intense horror imagery but lost momentum as it settled into being a bland police procedural. Cops lacking emotional depth doggedly track the man spreading a dangerous biological infection. But they're not very good detectives so a new hacker character is introduced to rush along a resolution.
The finale is underwhelming, and of course leaves open a window for a sequel. If it comes to be, I won't be seeking it out.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapter 20. The Chase -- Chapter 21. The Threat -- Chapter 22. The Collaborator -- Chapter 23. You Were Wrong -- Chapter 24. Ken Mizoguchi -- Chapter 25. Determination -- Chapter 26. Strange Incidents -- Chapter 27. Epidemic -- Chapter 28. Hiroshi Kurokawa -- Epilogue
The finale is underwhelming, and of course leaves open a window for a sequel. If it comes to be, I won't be seeking it out.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapter 20. The Chase -- Chapter 21. The Threat -- Chapter 22. The Collaborator -- Chapter 23. You Were Wrong -- Chapter 24. Ken Mizoguchi -- Chapter 25. Determination -- Chapter 26. Strange Incidents -- Chapter 27. Epidemic -- Chapter 28. Hiroshi Kurokawa -- Epilogue
September 17, 2021
I'm going right ahead and saying that the case is not completely solved due to the blood footprints leading from the manhole.
October 1, 2025
This series started off strong but the ending was just ok. I think it needed another volume to better wrap things up because this volume seemed rushed.
January 22, 2018
So no regrets reading this but turned into a but of a cheesy cop story.
May 21, 2025
Nothing extraordinary but a fun small read regardless
September 10, 2025
Loved this volume! My one critique (read: bitching) is the “anime fan/otaku is a child rapist” trope. Like, c’mon, really?
I love the main duo, and while some saw Inoue as a misogynistic portrayal because she’s the “only one with emotions” (which ignores the victims and their boss), I saw her as our “straight man” of the story. Everyone else has their nose to the grindstone, and she has the wherewithal to stop and go “Hey, wtf?” We (usually) need someone like that in a story.
Finally, I don’t understand how Inoue did not become infected, nor do I really understand why Mizoguchi and Kurokawa could “control” the worms, or prevent them from causing brain damage by “controlling their desires.” I wish that had been explored more.
Sad to see it end so soon, I think we could get a lot of mileage out of this premise! And I want to see how our main pair manage through it. 4 stars!
I love the main duo, and while some saw Inoue as a misogynistic portrayal because she’s the “only one with emotions” (which ignores the victims and their boss), I saw her as our “straight man” of the story. Everyone else has their nose to the grindstone, and she has the wherewithal to stop and go “Hey, wtf?” We (usually) need someone like that in a story.
Finally, I don’t understand how Inoue did not become infected, nor do I really understand why Mizoguchi and Kurokawa could “control” the worms, or prevent them from causing brain damage by “controlling their desires.” I wish that had been explored more.
Sad to see it end so soon, I think we could get a lot of mileage out of this premise! And I want to see how our main pair manage through it. 4 stars!
June 27, 2024
Eh. Ending was anticlimactic.
November 6, 2025
sadly a disappointing end. the first two volumes really built up this unsettling feeling that hell was about to break loose, but here all the threads are resolved too easily and quickly, it does feel a lot like it would have benefitted from an extra volume or two. that's not to say this is bad by any means, just given how good this was so far, its a shame.
March 2, 2015
This is the end, and it's fun until it stops. It really does seem to stop, too - not reaching climax, but the action is brought to a pause, we deal with a little more exposition, and we get the ominous ending most of us felt was coming. The characters remain endearing and Tetsuya Tsutsui shows guts to maintain a little humor where conventions are to drop anything but drama at the end of such a story, but otherwise it's just the end of something that was really good as long as it was going.
Tetsuya Tsutsui continues to display a sense of unusual personality. From a vandal's attempt to repair the fence he cut through, to our infected detective's perseverence, to bloodied limbs crawling out of a manhole in one chapter's cover art, so many things seem novel and yet fit into a world that can range from typical anime lightheartedness to the most graphic and disturbing acts.
Tetsuya Tsutsui continues to display a sense of unusual personality. From a vandal's attempt to repair the fence he cut through, to our infected detective's perseverence, to bloodied limbs crawling out of a manhole in one chapter's cover art, so many things seem novel and yet fit into a world that can range from typical anime lightheartedness to the most graphic and disturbing acts.
August 30, 2024
Chronique complète :
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2024/...
Extrait :
Dernier tome déjà pour cette trilogie horrifique de Tetsuya Tsutsui chez Ki-oon. J’ai encore eu quelques difficultés pour la jaquette, impossible de la trouver dans un format assez grand, donc j’ai improvisé avec les moyens du bord (scan en gros). C’est assez difficile pour trouver pour les séries qui commencent à avoir de la bouteille… Surtout que dans le cas présent, elle est déjà légèrement floue même sur l’édition papier…
La tension monte, la population à découvert la vérité grâce aux médias qui ne tiennent pas leur langue. Le temps est désormais compté pour éviter une vague de panique au sein de la population. Il est clair qu’ils n’ont pas été au top niveau pour éviter cette situation de crise qu’ils ont pris à la légère. D’ailleurs, on peut rapprocher cette situation de la réalité, puisqu’on a eu la même chose avec le covid, d’abord on sous-estime au lieu de prendre des mesures, puis on fait croire que c’est la maladie du siècle (alors que non) pour vendre des vaccins dont les effets secondaires sont encore à prouver… Dans le cas de la série, les médicaments existent déjà visiblement, seulement, la majorité se contente de ralentir les symptômes et l’avancée du ver. Les spécialistes l’indiquent bien, le seul qui puisse les détruire complètement ont des effets secondaires parfois assez lourd et ils sont donc donnés qu’en dernier lieu, pas à titre préventif. En même temps, tous les médicaments ont des effets secondaires, à croire que l’on soigne un point pour en rendre un autre malade… dire le contraire c’est mentir ouvertement.
L’identité de l’antagoniste était totalement prévisible, c’est assez étonnant que les policiers ne l’ait remarqués qu’après avoir des recherches. C’était sûr qu’il allait avoir une fausse identité, tout comme c’était sûr qu’il n’allait pas s’arrêter là. Outre l’indice qu’il nous donne à nous lecteur, en indiquant qu’il doit passer à la prochaine phase, c’est surtout le témoignage du père qui en donne l’indication. Là pour le coup, même la police le sait, d’ailleurs, Mizoguchi s’en doute déjà, tout comme il sait que quelque chose cloche sur son identité. Bien sûr, il n’arrive pas vraiment à mettre le doigt dessus et quand on voit comment il finit, on comprend vite pourquoi. Les parasites sont vraiment une plaie, même s’il y a un faible risque de propagation, car ce n’est pas viral, quand tout s’enclenche bien, ça peut aussi vite devenir une catastrophe. Il suffit de jouer un peu à Plague Inc pour avoir un comparatif, car parmi les « virus » il y a aussi les vers. Je vois aussi que le manga a été réalisé en collaboration avec Square Enix, y aurait-il un jeu d’horreur sur ce thème ? Après recherche, je crois que non, c’est assez étrange de voir cet éditeur proposer des ouvrages sans lien avec des jeux.
[...]
https://sunread26.wordpress.com/2024/...
Extrait :
Dernier tome déjà pour cette trilogie horrifique de Tetsuya Tsutsui chez Ki-oon. J’ai encore eu quelques difficultés pour la jaquette, impossible de la trouver dans un format assez grand, donc j’ai improvisé avec les moyens du bord (scan en gros). C’est assez difficile pour trouver pour les séries qui commencent à avoir de la bouteille… Surtout que dans le cas présent, elle est déjà légèrement floue même sur l’édition papier…
La tension monte, la population à découvert la vérité grâce aux médias qui ne tiennent pas leur langue. Le temps est désormais compté pour éviter une vague de panique au sein de la population. Il est clair qu’ils n’ont pas été au top niveau pour éviter cette situation de crise qu’ils ont pris à la légère. D’ailleurs, on peut rapprocher cette situation de la réalité, puisqu’on a eu la même chose avec le covid, d’abord on sous-estime au lieu de prendre des mesures, puis on fait croire que c’est la maladie du siècle (alors que non) pour vendre des vaccins dont les effets secondaires sont encore à prouver… Dans le cas de la série, les médicaments existent déjà visiblement, seulement, la majorité se contente de ralentir les symptômes et l’avancée du ver. Les spécialistes l’indiquent bien, le seul qui puisse les détruire complètement ont des effets secondaires parfois assez lourd et ils sont donc donnés qu’en dernier lieu, pas à titre préventif. En même temps, tous les médicaments ont des effets secondaires, à croire que l’on soigne un point pour en rendre un autre malade… dire le contraire c’est mentir ouvertement.
L’identité de l’antagoniste était totalement prévisible, c’est assez étonnant que les policiers ne l’ait remarqués qu’après avoir des recherches. C’était sûr qu’il allait avoir une fausse identité, tout comme c’était sûr qu’il n’allait pas s’arrêter là. Outre l’indice qu’il nous donne à nous lecteur, en indiquant qu’il doit passer à la prochaine phase, c’est surtout le témoignage du père qui en donne l’indication. Là pour le coup, même la police le sait, d’ailleurs, Mizoguchi s’en doute déjà, tout comme il sait que quelque chose cloche sur son identité. Bien sûr, il n’arrive pas vraiment à mettre le doigt dessus et quand on voit comment il finit, on comprend vite pourquoi. Les parasites sont vraiment une plaie, même s’il y a un faible risque de propagation, car ce n’est pas viral, quand tout s’enclenche bien, ça peut aussi vite devenir une catastrophe. Il suffit de jouer un peu à Plague Inc pour avoir un comparatif, car parmi les « virus » il y a aussi les vers. Je vois aussi que le manga a été réalisé en collaboration avec Square Enix, y aurait-il un jeu d’horreur sur ce thème ? Après recherche, je crois que non, c’est assez étrange de voir cet éditeur proposer des ouvrages sans lien avec des jeux.
[...]
August 28, 2022
4.75 / 5⭐
Compré esta obra del tirón sin saber apenas de qué trataba pero ya había leído "Reset" (que por cierto recomiendo leerla antes de leer Manhole ya que el autor le hace guiños en esta obra) y me gustó bastante así que me tiré a la piscina sin dudarlo. ¡Y qué buena decisión 🤗! Incluso me ha gustado más que Reset!
Me ha encantado toda la obra en general. La base de la historia realmente no tiene nada de novedoso ya que se trata del típico caso de "científico loco" con sed de venganza y un laboratorio clandestino. Pero el autor tiene un estilo gráfico y una habilidad excepcional a la hora de narrar gráficamente y utilizar al 100% el cambio de páginas que hace que de una historia que podria no tener nada de especial sea increíble y no puedas parar de leer.
Por poner alguna pega, sí es cierto que en la parte del piromano pierde un poquito la fuerza con la que empezó, pero el resto y final están muy bien hilado y me han encantado las últimas páginas presentando al personal que ha participado en la realización del manga como si fuera una película y ya digo, que la gracia que tiene Tsutsui en cuanto narrativa le suma muchísimos puntos.
También me ha hecho gracia que aparezca Kitajima de Reset, ha sido una sorpresa agradable y curiosa! (También manga del mismo autor recomendado 🎮!)
Recomiendo muchísimo leer esta obra a los amantes del thriller y el misterio!
Recomiendo leerla también con música de suspense de fondo, le suma más puntos aún y yo ha habido momentos que he tenido que dejar de leerla un ratito porque me estaba metiendo tanto en el papel que me daba miedo de verdad! Pero supongo que eso es muy buena señal! 😊
Dejo la canción que he usado yo para leer que creo que ha casado muy bien con la obra, es "the Dance of Death" BSO de Midsommar.
Compré esta obra del tirón sin saber apenas de qué trataba pero ya había leído "Reset" (que por cierto recomiendo leerla antes de leer Manhole ya que el autor le hace guiños en esta obra) y me gustó bastante así que me tiré a la piscina sin dudarlo. ¡Y qué buena decisión 🤗! Incluso me ha gustado más que Reset!
Me ha encantado toda la obra en general. La base de la historia realmente no tiene nada de novedoso ya que se trata del típico caso de "científico loco" con sed de venganza y un laboratorio clandestino. Pero el autor tiene un estilo gráfico y una habilidad excepcional a la hora de narrar gráficamente y utilizar al 100% el cambio de páginas que hace que de una historia que podria no tener nada de especial sea increíble y no puedas parar de leer.
Por poner alguna pega, sí es cierto que en la parte del piromano pierde un poquito la fuerza con la que empezó, pero el resto y final están muy bien hilado y me han encantado las últimas páginas presentando al personal que ha participado en la realización del manga como si fuera una película y ya digo, que la gracia que tiene Tsutsui en cuanto narrativa le suma muchísimos puntos.
También me ha hecho gracia que aparezca Kitajima de Reset, ha sido una sorpresa agradable y curiosa! (También manga del mismo autor recomendado 🎮!)
Recomiendo muchísimo leer esta obra a los amantes del thriller y el misterio!
Recomiendo leerla también con música de suspense de fondo, le suma más puntos aún y yo ha habido momentos que he tenido que dejar de leerla un ratito porque me estaba metiendo tanto en el papel que me daba miedo de verdad! Pero supongo que eso es muy buena señal! 😊
Dejo la canción que he usado yo para leer que creo que ha casado muy bien con la obra, es "the Dance of Death" BSO de Midsommar.
June 28, 2022
So this one manga from horror genre is something you can start with if you are new to mangas.
It does justice to the plot but it gets a little disappointing in the end where the plot ends, and I mean it, it just ends like that.
It starts in a town named Sasahara City where a man who is traumatized by his granddaughter's abduction and rape and now wants to avenge it with whatever he has left. Concept of his thought that "the problem that lies in our society is desire, desire that leads to destruction" well i totally agree and from where this manga caught my whole interest. He developed a virus that totally blocks of desire to do anything and everything, many of you might confuse it with zombies but its not at all related to zombies but is more of a sci fi- horror. In the times of pandemic its a great start to read about a simple microorganism causing a mass destruction for a better cause.
About the art- I would say that I found it okayish but not too revealing.
It does justice to the plot but it gets a little disappointing in the end where the plot ends, and I mean it, it just ends like that.
It starts in a town named Sasahara City where a man who is traumatized by his granddaughter's abduction and rape and now wants to avenge it with whatever he has left. Concept of his thought that "the problem that lies in our society is desire, desire that leads to destruction" well i totally agree and from where this manga caught my whole interest. He developed a virus that totally blocks of desire to do anything and everything, many of you might confuse it with zombies but its not at all related to zombies but is more of a sci fi- horror. In the times of pandemic its a great start to read about a simple microorganism causing a mass destruction for a better cause.
About the art- I would say that I found it okayish but not too revealing.
November 10, 2025
4.25
It might have been me, and just how much time passed between my reading of the previous volume and this one, but the conclusion of the series felt slightly anticlimactic, and less engaging as a whole.
My favorite part was actually the epilogue, as the couple of detectives are not doubt the best characters of the story, our real protagonists; them and the phylacteria, of course, even though the whole horror/body horror aspect of the story wasn't as prominent in this instalment.
Over all, a really good limited horror series.
It might have been me, and just how much time passed between my reading of the previous volume and this one, but the conclusion of the series felt slightly anticlimactic, and less engaging as a whole.
My favorite part was actually the epilogue, as the couple of detectives are not doubt the best characters of the story, our real protagonists; them and the phylacteria, of course, even though the whole horror/body horror aspect of the story wasn't as prominent in this instalment.
Over all, a really good limited horror series.
December 2, 2025
The third and final part of Manhole, as can be said for the first two volumes, is extremely well written, with grounded and realistic characters. The finale, however, does somewhat fall apart in my opinion, and leaves the reader with many questions about how authorities plan on cleaning up the mess left behind by our "criminal mastermind." It definitely doesn't ruin the story for me, and I will continue to urge my friends to read this series, even if the ending doesn't hold up to the standards of the first two volumes.
October 5, 2025
A series that start really strong, but mostly goes down hill from volume one to two to three. And finishing it, I'm sorry to say that it wasn't worth reading. The weirdness disappear to let a more classical investigation take place and it wasn't what I was in this series for. Not entirely bad, but it just felt that it sell you something and when you have bought it, it give you something completely different, kind of a broken deal in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend it.
October 23, 2021
C'était super cool, on a suivi une enquête sur une épidémie mystérieuse avec un duo de policiers cool, c'était captivant, les dessins stylés et je les ai tous lus dans le train avec madame Marie de retour à Nantes pour voir heolusse..... Du coup c'était grave bien et l'intrigue intéressante aussi, y'a des rebondissements et tout c'était bien !
January 2, 2018
Un entretenido manga de intriga sobre bioterrorismo con pinceladas de horror, cuya mayor virtud es que va al grano desde el principio, siguiendo un argumento al que no le sobra ni un gramo de grasa, así que el ritmo de lectura es bastante bueno y no deja espacio al aburrimiento. Por lo demás podría ser el arco argumental de cualquier miniserie televisiva protagonizada por la típica pareja de policías, un veterano y eficaz detective y su inexperta compañera, aunque en este caso la relación entre ellos está bien llevada y hasta resulta simpática y emotiva al final. El dibujo es simplemente correcto. Está bien, pero tampoco es imprescindible.
January 25, 2025
The author wrote himself into a corner and, I assume, did whatever he could to finish it off. There's some pretty great, horrific artwork in the first two volumes, but it does not pay off. Don't even waste your time with this.
September 9, 2025
I really enjoyed the story but I feel like there is more to it that could be told or even another outbreak series. I did enjoy the ending and the reunion. Inoue really did a great job in handling the situation without Mizoguchi there to back her up.
October 28, 2017
Interesting manga. The ending seemed a little rushed, but definitely worth a read.
March 21, 2020
Pretty awesome Gruesome manga, great interesting art and pretty good series 😻😻😁❤️
July 2, 2020
Reading this story in times of Corona pandemic is macabre
4,3/5
4,3/5
December 20, 2020
Overall great artwork and story line, but I didn't connect with the characters and I found the backstory was lacking and could have brought so much more to the table.
June 25, 2021
The ending felt abrupt but I was okay with that since I dislike long, drawnout standoffs between the protagonist and villain
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July 28, 2023w grandpa
February 5, 2024
Une conclusion assez simple, sans surprise
September 7, 2024
[SERIE INTERA]
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November 7, 2024Somewhat cliché and also a bit rushed.
August 26, 2025
this was a fairly interesting story. I just wasn't wow-ed by it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews