The 10 Best Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, staying on top to track every significant release. Inevitably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, yet a treasure trove exists of overlooked works ripe for exploration.

A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.

Some of these series lack a mainstream following, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. It evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is thoughtfully executed, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the violent battles is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Creator: 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 Gokurakugai is stunning, intricate, and unique. The story doesn't stray far of typical hero's journey beats, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the characters are all quirky and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a working-class district where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It has potential for massive popularity, but it's held back by its monthly schedule. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This grim fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a novel angle for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases 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, employing his instrument and background in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but this series still delivered bleak developments and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an engaging magic framework, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws is a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you