My Top 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, staying on top to keep up with every worthwhile new series. Inevitably, the mainstream series get all the attention, however, countless gems of overlooked works ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is unearthing a mostly obscure series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here lack a mainstream following, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

This may seem like a strange choice, but let me explain. Comics are often fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. I confess that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it uses similar story beats, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The appeal, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He doesn't care about 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 one of the few from a top company, and thus easily available to international audiences via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, The Plain Salary Man is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

• Artist: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but my opinion was altered this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who purges ghosts in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is as delicate as the art, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with real potential to become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz

For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, intricate, and unique. The story doesn't stray far from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not officially called "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 working-class district where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This bleak fantasy manga tackles the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the addition of advanced concepts can seem jarring, but it still surprised me with bleak developments and shocking story pivots. It's a sophisticated series with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an enjoyable mix of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A cold-hearted 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 a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you