A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to keep up with every significant title. Predictably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and recommending it to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here are still awaiting a mainstream following, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these provides some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about 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 one of the few from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a short, lighthearted escape, the series is a great choice.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I started reading it by chance and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits 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 supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, 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 cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood 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 suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative 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 can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This bleak fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. 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 ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix 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 emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since 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