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's increasingly difficult to keep up with every worthwhile new series. Inevitably, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is unearthing a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Several entries here are still awaiting a mainstream following, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, 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.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is one of the few from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. This series evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts 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 fueling his retribution. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim can strangle others, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. This series has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

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

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still provided dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark 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 adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because 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