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

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every significant new series. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is unearthing a hidden series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

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

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. 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.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. It reminds me of the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is thoughtfully executed, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: 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 spectacular, intricate, and distinctive. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents 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 lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but it still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its tiny paws 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