A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to track every noteworthy title. As always, the biggest series get all the attention, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the best lesser-known manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a broad readership, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to their publishing platforms. Sharing any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, lies 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 smash monsters. 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.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. This series recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits 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 supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the portrayal of the cast is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a nice extra touch. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — provided it survives.

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 stunning, meticulous, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, 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

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but it still surprised me with dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A calculating 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 small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you