A Curated List of 10 Comics I Read This Year (Which Are Mostly Unknown).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, it's increasingly difficult to track every worthwhile title. As always, the most popular series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a largely unknown series buried in publication schedules and recommending it to friends. I present of the top obscure manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with reasons why they're worth checking out before they gain widespread popularity.

Some of these series have not yet reached a mainstream following, especially as they all lack anime adaptations. A few are less accessible due to their publishing platforms. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

• Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it follows many of the same tropes, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, stems from the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman who relieves pressure by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title published by a major house, and thus readily accessible to international audiences via a free service. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're looking for a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the strongest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and became engrossed at once.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who kills evil spirits in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is concerned with his well-being than supporting his vengeance. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is as delicate as the art, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies and the violent battles is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to go the distance — should it get the chance.

8. Gokurakugai

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

When artistic excellence matters most, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, meticulous, and one-of-a-kind. 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 cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the way the human died: a suicide by hanging has the power to choke people, one who died from self-harm can make people bleed out, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. This series could be the next big hit, but it's constrained by its infrequent release pace. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Bugle Call: Song of War

• Creators: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available 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 Branched—individuals possessing a unique special power. Luca's ability allows him to manifest sound as light, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts occasionally doesn't fit, but it still surprised me with bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a sophisticated series with a group of eccentric individuals, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A emotionally distant main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its tiny paws 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