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

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to keep up with every noteworthy new series. Inevitably, the biggest series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is finding a mostly obscure series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Several entries here lack a broad readership, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to where they're available. But recommending any of these provides some impressive fan credentials.

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

• Writing Team: 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. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an overpowered main character and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. 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.

There might be better isekai series, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. This series recalls the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. 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 allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but it still provided grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since 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