The 10 Best Comics I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to track every worthwhile new series. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, however, countless gems of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is unearthing a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. This list highlights of the best lesser-known manga I've discovered recently, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a broad readership, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but hear me out. Comics are often fun, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to run for a long time — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the way the human died: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. From the beginning, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it presents massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, 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 backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still surprised me with bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its tiny paws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you