A Curated List of 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to track every noteworthy release. Predictably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is finding a mostly obscure series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here are still awaiting a broad readership, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to where they're available. Sharing any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but let me explain. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and finish work early 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 through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're in need of a short, lighthearted escape, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. This series evokes the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The premise sounds simple, 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 gory combat is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to go the distance — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is stunning, intricate, and distinctive. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It has potential for massive popularity, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only five volumes 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
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This dark fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. 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, using his trumpet and upbringing 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 occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination 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 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