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

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every significant new series. As always, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of overlooked works ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is finding a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Several entries here are still awaiting a large audience, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by exploring strange labyrinths that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and finish work early 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. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is a great choice.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Creator: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, intricate, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run 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. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It has potential for massive popularity, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

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

• Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Viz

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but it still surprised me with dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its little feet 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