A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every noteworthy title. Predictably, the biggest series capture the spotlight, but there's a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is unearthing a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as 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 let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, 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 appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. This series reminds me of the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings 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 fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the portrayal of the cast is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and unique. 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 setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

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

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it presents massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but this series still delivered dark turns and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws 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