A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).
Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to track every significant release. As always, the most popular series capture the spotlight, however, countless gems of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.
A particular delight for a dedicated reader is finding a hidden series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with motivations for they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.
A few of these titles lack a mainstream following, especially as they all lack 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
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. 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.
There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a short, lighthearted escape, the series is an excellent option.
9. Nito's Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than aiding his quest for revenge. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.
8. Gokurakugai
- Author: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus; Viz
When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (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, solving problems in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.
7. Bugle Call: War's Melody
- Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This grim fantasy manga approaches the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.
The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still provided grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.
6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!
- Creator: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A cold-hearted main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its tiny paws 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
