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

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to track every noteworthy new series. Inevitably, the most popular series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A key pleasure for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they are without anime adaptations. A few are trickier to read due to where they're available. But recommending any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero 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 sneaking into mysterious dungeons that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. 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.

There might be better isekai series, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. It reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: Yuto Sano
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, meticulous, and distinctive. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim can strangle others, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but it still surprised me with grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in 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