A Curated List of 10 Manga I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).
As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every worthwhile title. As always, the biggest series get all the attention, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.
One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a hidden series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.
Some of these series have not yet reached a broad readership, partly due to they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access due to where they're available. Sharing any of these provides some notable geek cred.
10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero
- Creators: 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. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He's indifferent to 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 a rare example published by a major house, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.
9. The Nito Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. It evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and shocking ferocity. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits 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 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 gory combat is a compelling layer. This is a series with real potential to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.
8. Gokurakugai
- Creator: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz
When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, intricate, and unique. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), 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 people and animal-human hybrids live together.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.
7. The Bugle Call: Song of War
- Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This bleak fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme 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—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.
6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!
- Creator: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its little feet 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
