Mastering Komano Manato in Zenless Zone Zero requires understanding his unique high-risk, high-reward playstyle. As a free A-rank Fire & Rupture agent released in late 2025, Manato offers exceptional damage potential by converting his HP into powerful attacks that ignore enemy defenses. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to maximize his potential on the battlefield.

Manato's Core Mechanics Explained

Komano Manato's gameplay revolves around a fascinating "sacrifice to dominate" approach. His key mechanic converts all Fire DMG to Sheer DMG (ignoring enemy defense) while scaling with his Max HP. For every point of Max HP, Manato gains 0.1 Sheer Force, making HP stacking particularly valuable for him.

The Flame and Ignited (Molten Edge) mechanics form the backbone of Manato's combat style:

• Flame Building: Accumulate Blazing Heart through Special Attacks and Defensive Assists

• Ignited State: At 75 Blazing Heart, Manato enters Molten Edge state, enhancing basics and unlocking his devastating EX Special

• HP Management: Above 30% HP, Manato can sacrifice health for increased Crit DMG (+50%) and doubled Adrenaline generation

Optimal Skill Priority

When developing Manato, focus on these skills in order:

1. Core Skill (★★★★★): Increases CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG buffs

2. Special Attack (★★★★★): Primary damage source with HP restoration

3. Chain Attack (★★★★★): Delivers massive Fire DMG with invulnerability

4. Basic Attack (★★★★): Essential for on-field performance

5. Assist (★★★): Valuable for Defensive Assist and Follow-Up damage

6. Dodge (★): Lowest priority but still useful for perfect dodge counters

Best W-Engines for Manato

Signature W-Engine: Grill O'Wisp

• Stats: 624 Basic ATK | 25% HP

• Effect: Fire DMG +15%. When HP decreases, CRIT Rate +15% for 5s.

This signature W-Engine perfectly complements Manato's HP-sacrificing playstyle, providing both Fire DMG and CRIT Rate boosts when he loses health.

Alternative W-Engines

Radiowave Journey

• Stats: 594 Basic ATK | 25% HP

• Effect: Chain Attack/Ultimate grants stacking Sheer Force buff (up to 240)

Puzzle Sphere

• Stats: 594 Basic ATK | 25% ATK

• Effect: EX Special Attack CRIT DMG +16% for 12s, +20% DMG against enemies below 50% HP

Drive Disc Recommendations

Best Set: Yunkui Tales (4pc)

• 2pc: HP +10%

• 4pc: Stacking CRIT Rate after EX Special, Chain Attack, or Ultimate

• Full Stacks: +10% Sheer DMG

Alternative Sets

• 2pc Woodpecker Electro + 2pc Inferno Metal: CRIT Rate +8%, Fire DMG +10%

• 2pc Yunkui + 2pc Woodpecker Electro: HP +10%, CRIT Rate +8%

Main Stats Priority

• Slot 4: CRIT Rate

• Slot 5: Fire DMG Bonus or HP%

• Slot 6: HP%

Sub Stats Priority

CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > HP% > ATK%

Team Compositions

Premium Team

• Main DPS: Manato

• Sub-DPS: Ju Fufu (provides CRIT and Ultimate buffs)

• Support: Lucia or Astra Yao (healing, CRIT buffs, and additional utility)

• Bangboo: Snap

F2P-Friendly Team

• Main DPS: Manato

• Sub-DPS: Pan Yinhu (increases Sheer Force, team healing)

• Support: Koleda (boosts Chain Attack damage by up to 70%)

• Bangboo: Snap

Materials Overview for Full Build

Building Manato from level 0 to 60 requires:

• 4 Basic Rupture Certification Seals

• 32 Advanced Rupture Certification Seals

• 30 Arbiter Certification Seals

• 800,000 Denny

For skill upgrades, prepare:

• 25 Basic Burn Chips

• 75 Advanced Burn Chips

• 250 Specialized Burn Chips

• 5 Hamster Cage Passes

• 9 Exuvia of Refinement

• 60 Higher Dimensional Data: Toxic Edge

• 2,905,000 Denny

Gameplay Tips

1. Fire DMG Activation: Press Special Attack right after Basic Attack to deal Fire DMG with normal attacks. When executed correctly, Manato's sword will ignite.

2. Molten Edge Management: Monitor the bar under Manato's icon to track Blazing Heart accumulation. In Molten Edge state, he deals consistent Fire DMG without needing to use Special Attack button.

3. HP Restoration: Manato can restore HP when hit during Special Attack or when performing EX Special Attack. Balance HP consumption with restoration to maintain optimal performance.

4. Defensive Assist Utilization: Use Defensive Assist to quickly gain 75 Blazing Heart and enter Molten Edge state faster.

5. EX Special Timing: Save EX Special for when you need both massive damage and significant HP restoration (33% Max HP).

Mastering Manato's high-risk, high-reward playstyle requires practice, but the payoff is substantial. By balancing his HP consumption with his powerful damage output, you'll turn this Fire Rupture agent into one of your most formidable fighters in Zenless Zone Zero.

Remember that while Manato can seem complex at first, his ability to convert HP into raw damage that ignores defense makes him exceptionally potent against even the toughest enemies in 2025's New Eridu.