The 10 Best Comics I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every significant title. Predictably, the biggest series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is finding a hidden series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Some of these series lack a mainstream following, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these grants you some serious bragging rights.

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

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an overpowered main character and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga 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 is enough to deter me due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. This series reminds me of the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and shocking ferocity. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, detailed, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who ended their own life induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This grim fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still surprised me with dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A emotionally distant main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its little feet is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you