A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every worthwhile title. Predictably, the most popular series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems ripe for exploration.
One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with motivations for they're deserving of your time prior to a potential boom.
Some of these series have not yet reached a mainstream following, notably because they all lack anime adaptations. Others may be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn you some serious bragging rights.
10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero
- Creators: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, 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 incredibly strong protagonist and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who relieves pressure by entering fantastical portals that emerged suddenly, 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 finish work early for a change.
More polished fantasies are out there, but this is a rare example released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences via a free service. For easy reading, this publisher is still dominant, and if you're in need of a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.
9. Nito's Exorcists
- Creator: Iromi Ichikawa
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
Typically, 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 finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.
Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist 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 more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the silly appearance of the spirits and the bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to go the distance â should it get the chance.
8. Gokurakugai
- Artist: Yuto Sano
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus; Viz
When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, meticulous, and unique. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.
The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the circumstances of their end: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Starting in 2022, only a handful of volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Viz
This grim fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it showcases massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branchedâthose granted singular talents. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.
The world feels a bit standard, and the insertion of sci-fi elements can seem jarring, but this series still delivered grim twists and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.
6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!
- Artist: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary takes in a cute cat named Nicoloâreportedly for the reason that 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