My Top 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every significant release. As always, the most popular series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is finding a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series have not yet reached a mainstream following, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to where they're available. Sharing any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

This may seem like a strange choice, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a short, lighthearted escape, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Creator: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, intricate, and distinctive. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only five volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song

• Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This bleak fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws is the only thing that relieves his stiff shoulders. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you