My Top 10 Manga I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every worthwhile new series. Predictably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a broad readership, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these provides some serious bragging rights.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but let me explain. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. 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 incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to 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 a rare example published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, the series is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Typically, 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 Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who purges ghosts in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd 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 created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the way the human died: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

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

This grim fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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