My Top 10 Manga I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to discover every noteworthy title. Inevitably, the biggest series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of overlooked works ripe for exploration.

A key pleasure for fans of the medium is finding a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

A few of these titles lack a broad readership, especially as they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was 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 let me explain. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths 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 leave the office on time for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is a great choice.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It evokes the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: Yuto Sano
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves manifests as a choking force, one who ended their own life can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series might become a major title, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering 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 allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background 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 can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still provided bleak developments and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in 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