The 10 Best Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every worthwhile title. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of overlooked works just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is unearthing a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are 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

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who relieves pressure by sneaking into mysterious dungeons 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 clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. It reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to run for a long time — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, intricate, and distinctive. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves 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. This series has potential for massive popularity, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This bleak fantasy manga approaches the ever-present fight narrative 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—people with distinct abilities. 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 cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but it still provided grim twists and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in 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