A Curated List of 10 Japanese Comics I Discovered Recently (Flying Under the Radar).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it becomes a challenge to keep up with every significant title. As always, the mainstream series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of overlooked works just out of sight.

One of the greatest joys for fans of the medium is unearthing a largely unknown 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 worth checking out ahead of the curve.

A few of these titles lack a large audience, especially as they are without anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to where they're available. Sharing any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was 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. Manga can be silly, and that's perfectly fine. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that emerged suddenly, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and finish work early for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences on a digital platform. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, this manga 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 makes me hesitant due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. This series recalls the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who purges ghosts in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the character development is subtle and refined, and the artistic dichotomy between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with great promise to become a hit — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

• Artist: Yuto Sano
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on Gokurakugai is spectacular, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging can strangle others, 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. Gokurakugai has potential for massive popularity, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which challenges ongoing engagement.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ever-present fight narrative from a fresh perspective for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which lets him guide troops on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a skilled strategist, 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 delivered grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Artist: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

A calculating main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you