The 10 Best Manga I Enjoyed in 2025 (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every significant title. Inevitably, the biggest series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Some of these series are still awaiting a mainstream following, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

• Authors: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series 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 your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals 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.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but my opinion was altered this year. This series evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, 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 violent battles 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 the series is spectacular, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (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, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: 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 macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters 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 grim fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still delivered dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its small claws 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