The 10 Best Japanese Comics I Read This Year (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 noteworthy title. Predictably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and recommending it to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series are still awaiting a broad readership, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an overpowered main character 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 sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Artist: 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. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the strongest aspects 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 eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, and unique. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. 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. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. 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, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements can seem jarring, but this series still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its tiny paws 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