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

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every significant title. Predictably, the mainstream series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a large audience, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. A few are trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these provides some notable geek cred.

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

• Authors: 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. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. 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.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. It evokes the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast 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 — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is breathtaking, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, 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 grown-up battle manga with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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