The 10 Best Japanese Comics I Enjoyed in 2025 (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every worthwhile title. Predictably, the biggest series capture the spotlight, yet a treasure trove exists of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
One of the greatest joys for any manga enthusiast is finding a largely unknown series in the sea of new chapters and recommending it to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.
A few of these titles lack a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these provides some serious bragging rights.
10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero
- Writing Team: 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 let me explain. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it uses similar story beats, including an unbeatable hero and a game-influenced setting. The charm, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is a standard overburdened office worker who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He doesn't care about treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.
There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. For easy reading, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is highly recommended.
9. The Nito Exorcists
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Ordinarily, 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. The Nito Exorcists evokes the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.
Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist 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 treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — provided it survives.
8. Gokurakugai
- Artist: Yuto Sano
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus; Viz
When artistic excellence matters most, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, detailed, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far from classic shonen conventions, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes 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 manner of death: someone who hanged themselves has the power to choke people, one who ended their own life induces hemorrhaging, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai might become a major title, but it's held back by its infrequent release pace. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This bleak fantasy manga tackles the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it presents epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers 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 setting is somewhat generic, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but this series still surprised me with dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.
6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao
- Artist: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A calculating main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its little feet 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
