The 10 Best Comics I Discovered Recently (Flying Under the Radar).

Given the ever-expanding scope of the manga market, staying on top to discover every significant new series. Inevitably, the mainstream series dominate conversations, but there's a plethora of overlooked works waiting to be discovered.

One of the greatest joys for a dedicated reader is unearthing a hidden series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.

Several entries here have not yet reached a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be less accessible due to digital exclusivity. Sharing any of these grants you some notable geek cred.

10. The Ordinary Office Worker Who Was a Hero

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

Admittedly, this is a weird pick, but bear with me. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I'll acknowledge that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While the title doesn't fully fit the genre, it uses similar story beats, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who vents his stress by sneaking into mysterious dungeons that materialized globally, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

Superior genre examples exist, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus conveniently readable 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, this manga is highly recommended.

9. The Nito Exorcists

• Creator: Iromi Ichikawa
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists recalls the strongest aspects of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a powerful exorcist who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the portrayal of the cast is subtle and refined, and the stylistic juxtaposition between the comedic design of foes and the gory combat is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and unique. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate 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. When human-based, the Maga wields magic reflecting the manner of death: a hanging victim 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. This series could be the next big hit, 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. The Bugle Call: Song of War

• Authors: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it 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 massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability lets him transform noise into illumination, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a formidable commander, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The world feels a bit standard, and the inclusion of futuristic tech feels forced at times, but it still surprised me with grim twists and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a collection of odd personalities, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A calculating main character who idolizes Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—allegedly because a massage from its tiny paws 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