A Curated List of 10 Manga I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it's increasingly difficult to discover every worthwhile title. Inevitably, the biggest series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a hidden series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a broad readership, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to where they're available. Sharing any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

• Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I admit that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The charm, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds 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 keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and clock out punctually 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 via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me 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 creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the silly appearance of the spirits and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is breathtaking, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. 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 allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but it still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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