A Curated List of 10 Comics I Read This Year (That You've Probably Never Heard Of).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every noteworthy release. As always, the mainstream series get all the attention, yet a treasure trove exists of undiscovered treasures ripe for exploration.

A particular delight for fans of the medium is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series buried in publication schedules and then sharing it to friends. This list highlights of the top obscure manga I've discovered recently, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a large audience, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. Others may be trickier to read due to digital exclusivity. But recommending any of these will earn you some notable geek cred.

10. The Plain Salary Man Turned Out to Be a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. The medium embraces absurdity, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll acknowledge that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it follows many of the same tropes, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The appeal, however, lies in 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 pummel creatures. He has no interest in 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 readily accessible to international audiences on a digital platform. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're looking for a short, lighthearted escape, The Plain Salary Man is an excellent option.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the saturated market, but my opinion was altered this year. This series recalls the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, unique visuals, and shocking ferocity. A random click got me hooked and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. 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 bloody fights is an effective bonus. This is a series with great promise to run for a long time — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

• Author: Yuto Sano
• Publisher: Shueisha
• Available on: Manga Plus; Viz

If breathtaking art is your priority, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is spectacular, meticulous, and distinctive. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the world is fascinating. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, run the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a low-income area where two species live side-by-side.

The villains, called Maga, are formed from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a macabre yet fascinating twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. From the beginning, only a handful of volumes have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

7. Bugle Call: War's Melody

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

This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering 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 lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a brutal fighter company to become a powerful tactician, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements can seem jarring, but it still delivered bleak developments and surprising narrative shifts. It's a mature shonen with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an enjoyable mix of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

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

A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and believes in using any means necessary becomes the owner of a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since 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