A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, staying on top to track every noteworthy release. As always, the mainstream series capture the spotlight, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Several entries here are still awaiting a large audience, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

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

• Writing Team: 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. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, is found 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 pummel creatures. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast 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

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

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

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still delivered dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws 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