My Top 10 Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, staying on top to keep up with every significant new series. Inevitably, the biggest series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is unearthing a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Several entries here have not yet reached a broad readership, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights.

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

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is breathtaking, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, 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 limited due to its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still provided grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who reveres 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 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