A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, staying on top to keep up with every significant title. Predictably, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A key pleasure for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series are still awaiting a mainstream following, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. Sharing any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is an excellent option.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. This series recalls the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, stylized art, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, intricate, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that adds depth to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, 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

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

This dark fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still provided grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A emotionally distant main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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