The 10 Best Manga I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to discover every worthwhile title. As always, the mainstream series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these provides some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Creators: 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 bear with me. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is a rare example from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, the series is an excellent option.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being 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 silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is a nice extra touch. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, 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, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a low-income area 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 circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters 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 grim fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an pleasing blend of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its tiny paws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you