A Curated List of 10 Comics I Read This Year (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every worthwhile release. Predictably, the biggest series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
A particular delight for fans of the medium is unearthing a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.
A few of these titles lack a mainstream following, partly due to they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these provides some serious bragging rights.
10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero
- Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.
More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title 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 in need of a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.
9. Nito's Exorcists
- Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I started reading it by chance and was immediately captivated.
Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.
8. Gokurakugai
- Creator: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus; Viz
For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is stunning, intricate, and unique. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (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 working-class district where two species live side-by-side.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the way the human died: 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 disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This dark fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents 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 allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.
The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but it still provided bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an pleasing blend of strategy and horror.
6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian
- Author: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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
