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

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every noteworthy new series. Predictably, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is unearthing 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 discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these provides some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was 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 let me explain. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I admit that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While this series diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, is found in 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 has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is a great choice.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. This series evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. 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 joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is breathtaking, intricate, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a working-class district where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, 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
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Viz

This dark fantasy manga examines 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—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but this series still provided dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an pleasing blend of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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