A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every noteworthy title. Inevitably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is finding a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a broad readership, partly due to they are without anime adaptations. Some could be harder to access 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
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but hear me out. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a game-influenced setting. The charm, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, 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 clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a brief, enjoyable diversion, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but a pair of titles shifted my perspective this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the best parts of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who purges ghosts in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than supporting his vengeance. The storyline appears straightforward, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on the series is breathtaking, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close of typical hero's journey beats, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the characters are all quirky and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a gruesome but interesting twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only five volumes have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This dark fantasy manga approaches the common conflict theme from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it depicts massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting dreaming of a life beyond war.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a cast of quirky characters, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Author: Sho Yamazaki
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary adopts a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its little feet is the only thing that relieves his stiff shoulders. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you