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

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to discover every worthwhile release. Predictably, the biggest series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some serious bragging rights.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but let me explain. 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 uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. 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 an accessible title from a top company, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, this manga is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

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 focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to go the distance — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, intricate, and unique. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, 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

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but it still delivered grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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