A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).
With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to discover every significant release. Predictably, the mainstream series get all the attention, however, countless gems of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.
A particular delight for fans of the medium is finding a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the finest under-the-radar manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with motivations for they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.
A few of these titles lack a large audience, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these provides some serious bragging rights.
10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero
- Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but hear me out. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The charm, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, 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 finish work early for a change.
More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. 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. Nito's Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. It recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.
8. Gokurakugai
- Author: Yuto Sano
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz
For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and distinctive. The plot remains within of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a working-class district where people and animal-human hybrids live together.
The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters 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
- Find it on: Viz
This bleak fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but this series still surprised me with grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.
6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao
- Artist: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its little feet 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
