A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to discover every worthwhile new series. As always, the most popular series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is unearthing a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time before they gain widespread popularity.

A few of these titles have not yet reached a large audience, notably because they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to where they're available. But recommending any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but let me explain. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I confess that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals 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 finish work early for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. This series recalls the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who kills evil spirits in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: Yuto Sano
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, meticulous, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a poor neighborhood 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 possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

• Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Viz

This grim fantasy manga approaches the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts massive army conflicts. 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 lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Creator: 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 becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you