Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to discover every noteworthy new series. Predictably, the mainstream series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems just out of sight.
One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is finding a mostly obscure series buried in publication schedules and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.
Several entries here lack a large audience, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to where they're available. But recommending any of these grants you some notable geek cred.
10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero
- Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, 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 easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.
9. Nito's Exorcists
- Creator: 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 two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its ominous tone, distinctive artwork, and shocking ferocity. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than supporting his vengeance. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with the capacity to become a hit — should it get the chance.
8. Gokurakugai
- Artist: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus; Viz
For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, detailed, and unique. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series 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 can test a reader's patience.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This dark fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme from a fresh perspective 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 allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still delivered bleak developments and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, 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 calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its little feet is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you
