A Curated List of 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Flying Under the Radar).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every noteworthy new series. As always, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Several entries here lack a mainstream following, especially as they are without anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these provides some serious bragging rights.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I confess that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It reminds me of the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, 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 run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, and distinctive. The narrative hews close 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 setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, 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 bleak fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. 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 cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: 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 takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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