🔗 Share this article A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of). Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to discover every noteworthy new series. Inevitably, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of overlooked works just out of sight. A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with motivations for they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity. A few of these titles have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights. 10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero Illustration Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro Released by: Shueisha Find it on: Manga Plus This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change. More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option. 9. Nito's Exorcists Manga panel Author: Iromi Ichikawa Publisher: Shueisha Available on: Manga Plus Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly. Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue. 8. Gokurakugai Illustration Creator: Yuto Sano Released by: Shueisha Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist. The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai 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 challenges ongoing engagement. 7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song Illustration Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori Publisher: Shueisha Find it on: Viz This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. 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, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom. The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but it still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror. 6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao Illustration Artist: Sho Yamazaki Publisher: Shueisha Available on: Manga Plus A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws is a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you
Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to discover every noteworthy new series. Inevitably, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of overlooked works just out of sight. A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with motivations for they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity. A few of these titles have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights. 10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero Illustration Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro Released by: Shueisha Find it on: Manga Plus This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change. More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option. 9. Nito's Exorcists Manga panel Author: Iromi Ichikawa Publisher: Shueisha Available on: Manga Plus Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly. Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue. 8. Gokurakugai Illustration Creator: Yuto Sano Released by: Shueisha Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist. The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai 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 challenges ongoing engagement. 7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song Illustration Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori Publisher: Shueisha Find it on: Viz This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. 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, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom. The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but it still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror. 6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao Illustration Artist: Sho Yamazaki Publisher: Shueisha Available on: Manga Plus A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws is a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you