The 10 Best 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 noteworthy new series. Predictably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is finding a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Several entries here have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I confess that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is one of the few published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Creator: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. It evokes the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, intricate, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging can strangle others, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This grim fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still surprised me with bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its little feet 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