A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to discover every noteworthy new series. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series lack a mainstream following, partly due to they all lack anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these grants you some serious bragging rights.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

This may seem like a strange choice, 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 diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by exploring strange labyrinths that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat 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

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, intricate, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This grim fantasy manga approaches the ever-present fight narrative from a novel angle for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but this series still surprised me with dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you