My Top 10 Manga I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every noteworthy release. Predictably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is unearthing a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a mainstream following, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Authors: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, 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 leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available 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 best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the character development 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 the capacity to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who ended their own life can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

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

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

This dark fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still surprised me with grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who idolizes 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