A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to track every worthwhile release. Predictably, the mainstream series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.
A key pleasure for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and recommending it to friends. This list highlights of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.
A few of these titles lack a mainstream following, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these provides some notable geek cred.
10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero
- Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, 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 uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.
Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is a great choice.
9. Nito's Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but my opinion was altered this year. This series reminds me of the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter 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 aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the artistic dichotomy between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.
8. Gokurakugai
- Author: 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 spectacular, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.
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 has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Viz
This bleak fantasy manga approaches the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents massive army conflicts. 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 lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but it still surprised me with dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.
6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!
- Artist: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in 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
