My Top 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every noteworthy new series. Predictably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of hidden gems just out of sight.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is finding a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Several entries here have not yet reached a mainstream following, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to where they're available. Sharing any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress 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 maintain his double life, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, the series is an excellent option.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the silly appearance of the spirits and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — 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 search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the way the human died: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its little feet is a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you