The 10 Best Manga I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to discover every noteworthy new series. As always, the mainstream series get all the attention, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is finding a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and spreading the word to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles lack a mainstream following, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn 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
• Available on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Creator: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, detailed, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only five volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This grim fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. 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, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but this series still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A emotionally distant 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—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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