My Top 10 Manga I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every significant release. As always, the mainstream series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is finding a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series lack a mainstream following, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these grants you some serious bragging rights.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He has no interest in 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 from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: 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. It recalls the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked 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 concerned with his well-being than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to run for a long time — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: Yuto Sano
• Released by: 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 stunning, meticulous, and unique. The story doesn't stray far from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage 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. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that adds depth to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Viz

This bleak fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle 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 allows him to manifest sound as light, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but it still provided bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of 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