A Curated List of 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every significant new series. Predictably, the most popular series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a hidden 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 explanations for why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Some of these series have not yet reached a mainstream following, partly due to they all lack anime adaptations. A few are trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an overpowered main character and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, 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. This series recalls the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is stunning, meticulous, and unique. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This grim 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—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it 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—supposedly since a massage from its little feet is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you