A Curated List of 10 Comics I Discovered Recently (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to discover every worthwhile new series. As always, the biggest series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is finding a hidden series in the sea of new chapters and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Some of these series have not yet reached a broad readership, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to their publishing platforms. But recommending any of these provides some notable geek cred.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be 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 let me explain. Comics are often fun, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While the title diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is a rare example from a top company, 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 brief, enjoyable diversion, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. This series evokes the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I started reading it by chance and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies 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

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, meticulous, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim manifests as a choking force, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech occasionally doesn't fit, but this series still delivered dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because 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