My Top 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to discover every noteworthy title. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is finding a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with motivations for they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

Several entries here lack a large audience, partly due to they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. Sharing any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. It evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within 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 setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

• Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This dark fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it depicts massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. 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 cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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