A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every worthwhile release. Predictably, the biggest series capture the spotlight, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here have not yet reached a mainstream following, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to where they're available. But recommending any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Authors: 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 let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and finish work early 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 on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. This series evokes the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, intricate, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the way the human died: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A cold-hearted main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since 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