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

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to keep up with every significant new series. Inevitably, the mainstream series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles lack a mainstream following, especially as they are without anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

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

• Authors: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who kills evil spirits 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 character development is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, intricate, and distinctive. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

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

• Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Viz

This bleak fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you