A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to track every significant new series. As always, the biggest series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is finding a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the best lesser-known manga I've discovered recently, along with explanations for why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here are still awaiting a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to where they're available. But recommending any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He doesn't care about 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 an accessible title from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, the series is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run 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 wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

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

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This dark fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its little feet 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