My Top 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Flying Under the Radar).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to track every noteworthy release. Predictably, the biggest series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is unearthing a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

Some of these series have not yet reached a mainstream following, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to where they're available. But recommending any of these provides some impressive fan credentials.

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

• Writing Team: 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. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The charm, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by exploring strange labyrinths 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 from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. This series reminds me of the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits 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 supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the silly appearance of the spirits and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, meticulous, and distinctive. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, 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 monthly schedule. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This bleak fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but this series still provided dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it 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—supposedly since a massage from its tiny paws 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