The 10 Best Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to discover every worthwhile new series. As always, the mainstream series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A key pleasure for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these provides some serious bragging rights.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an overpowered main character and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. This series reminds me of the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings 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 plot may seem basic, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition 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 — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the way the human died: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This grim fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but this series still surprised me with grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you