My Top 10 Comics I Read This Year (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to track every significant title. Predictably, the most popular series capture the spotlight, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems just out of sight.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. Sharing any of these provides some notable geek cred.

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who vents his stress 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.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. This series evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat 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

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, detailed, and distinctive. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. 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 created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it 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 depicts massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but this series still surprised me with bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its little feet is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you