Detective Academy

Detective Academy takes a group of celebrity detective aides into a game focused on brains over brawn. On Mango TV, this spin off from Who's the Murderer season five casts a rotating lineup of guests who face a board game style path where luck and logic collide. Players roll a die on a checkerboard and the result unlocks a corresponding challenge tied to a mystery clue that tests memory, deduction, and speed. Throughout the game, alliances form and rivalries flare as teams and individuals push toward the far end. The fastest contestant earns the top spot, and the show aired its debut on November 3, 2019 with a mix of familiar faces and a lively energy throughout the episodes.

Directed by Liu Guangda and created for Mango TV by Violet He, Detective Academy reworks the Who's the Murderer concept for a broad audience. That blend aims to mix competition with puzzle style storytelling worldwide today.

Critics note a brisk mix of strategy and humor as celebrity guests banter while solving clues. The format leans on clever deduction, quick adaptation, and teamwork, with solo runs adding tension. The rotating cast keeps audiences engaged, and the show fits Mango TV's mystery reality vibe, and keeps mysteries approachable.

There are no major nominations or wins reported for Detective Academy, and it does not appear in lists of Emmy or other prominent prizes. Some viewers appreciated the concept and pacing, while others wished for tighter rules and clearer scoring to enhance fairness and replay value.

The program sits within Mango TV's push to combine celebrity appeal with puzzle style entertainment. While it hasn't produced widely cited catchphrases or iconic moments, it reflects a trend toward interactive mystery formats and cross pollination with established franchises, enriching the landscape of Chinese reality television.