The 10 Best Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every significant release. Predictably, the most popular series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and spreading the word to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with motivations for they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here lack a mainstream following, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn 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
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who vents his stress by exploring strange labyrinths that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is a great choice.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. It evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who kills evil spirits in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: Yuto Sano
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is stunning, detailed, and distinctive. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not officially called "exorcists"), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the way the human died: someone who hanged themselves manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

• Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This dark fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. In place of highlighting individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an pleasing blend of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A calculating 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—supposedly since a massage from its small claws 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