My Top 10 Manga I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to discover every worthwhile release. Inevitably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of hidden gems just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is finding a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series are still awaiting a large audience, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these will earn 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
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge 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 game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, 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 leave the office on time for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is one of the few from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It evokes the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who purges ghosts in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

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

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents 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 lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that 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