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 discover every noteworthy new series. As always, the most popular series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Several entries here lack a mainstream following, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero 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 vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in 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 from a top company, and thus easily available to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. It recalls the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but it still surprised me with dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since 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