A Curated List of 10 Comics I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to discover every significant title. Inevitably, the most popular series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A key pleasure for fans of the medium is unearthing a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here are still awaiting a large audience, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

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

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, 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 uses similar story beats, 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 unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is stunning, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that adds depth to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents large-scale medieval warfare. 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, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still provided dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its small claws 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