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, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every worthwhile release. As always, the mainstream series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is unearthing a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the best lesser-known manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series are still awaiting a large audience, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these provides some serious bragging rights.

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

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, 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 clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Artist: 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 saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. It reminds me of the best parts 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 purges ghosts 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 aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the portrayal of the cast is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the silly appearance of the spirits and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series might become a major title, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still provided bleak developments and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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