My Top 10 Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to track every significant release. Predictably, the biggest series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of hidden gems just out of sight.
A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is finding a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and recommending it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.
Several entries here have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. Sharing any of these provides some serious bragging rights.
10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as 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 bear with me. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I confess that transported-to-another-world stories relax me. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.
There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is highly recommended.
9. The Nito Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but two series changed my mind this year. It reminds me of the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally 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 paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to become a hit â provided it survives.
8. Gokurakugai
- Author: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz
When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, meticulous, and unique. The plot remains within from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (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, resolving disputes in a working-class district where people and animal-human hybrids live together.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.
7. Bugle Call: War's Melody
- Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This grim fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branchedâpeople with distinct abilities. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an pleasing blend of warfare and grim fantasy.
6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao
- Author: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicoloâreportedly for the reason that a massage from its tiny paws is a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you
