A Curated List of 10 Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to track every significant title. As always, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A key pleasure for fans of the medium is finding a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a mainstream following, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I confess that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The charm, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a low-income area where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. This series might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. 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
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This grim fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering 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 lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but it still surprised me with grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its little feet 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