My Top 10 Manga I Enjoyed in 2025 (Flying Under the Radar).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every significant title. Inevitably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, yet a treasure trove exists of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and spreading the word to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here lack a broad readership, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be 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 let me explain. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While the title diverges from the template, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, the series is an excellent option.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Usually, 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. It reminds me of the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings 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 thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Since its debut, only five volumes 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 bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. 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 cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its little feet 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