A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to discover every significant title. Inevitably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and recommending it 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.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a mainstream following, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be 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 bear with me. Comics are often fun, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, 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 finish work early for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, 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 in need of a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. It recalls the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, detailed, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops 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 world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an pleasing blend of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you