The 10 Best Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to track every worthwhile new series. Inevitably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

A key pleasure for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a mainstream following, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these will earn 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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who unwinds 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 maintain his double life, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is a great choice.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. It recalls the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This grim fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. 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 brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but this series still surprised me with bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you