Manhole (manga)

Manhole (Japanese: マンホール, Hepburn: Manhōru) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tetsuya Tsutsui. It was serialized in Young Gangan from 2004 to 2006, with its individual chapters being collected into three volumes. The series follows two prefectural police officers as they investigate the mysterious source of a contagious disease.

Tsutsui conceived of the plot after reading a novel on bacterial diseases, which led him to research the subject. Critical reception has been positive, with critics praising the story and artwork, albeit offering mixed reception on the characters.

In 2009, the first volume was designated as a "harmful book" by Nagasaki Prefecture and effectively banned from sale there. Tsutsui only learned of the designation five years after the fact, and attempted to overturn it but was ultimately unable to do so; this experience led him to create Yūgai Toshi, which centers around censorship of manga.