A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to discover every worthwhile title. Inevitably, the most popular series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the best lesser-known 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 are still awaiting a broad readership, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these provides some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. 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 charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths 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 hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. For easy reading, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is a great choice.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity 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 Gokurakugai is spectacular, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (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, resolving disputes in a low-income area 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 hanging victim can strangle others, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in 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