A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (Flying Under the Radar).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to discover every significant title. As always, the biggest series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A key pleasure for any manga enthusiast is finding a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

Several entries here have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to where they're available. But recommending any of these provides some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, 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 Plain Salary Man diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, the series is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. This series evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: 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 Gokurakugai is stunning, intricate, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

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

This grim fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a novel angle 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 cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but it still surprised me with dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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