A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (Flying Under the Radar).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to discover every worthwhile new series. Predictably, the most popular series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is unearthing a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with explanations for why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Several entries here lack a broad readership, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Others may be harder to access due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these grants you some impressive fan credentials.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

• Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The charm, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who relieves pressure 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.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, stylized art, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential 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 this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and distinctive. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga approaches the ever-present fight narrative from a new viewpoint for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. 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, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements occasionally doesn't fit, but The Bugle Call still provided bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted 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 small claws 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