My Top 10 Japanese Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to keep up with every significant release. Predictably, the biggest series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've discovered recently, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

A few of these titles lack a large audience, especially as they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

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 hear me out. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to 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 a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, meticulous, and unique. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

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

This grim fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. 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 with the hope of one day stepping away.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its tiny paws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you