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

As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it's increasingly difficult to keep up with every significant release. Predictably, the most popular series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of undiscovered treasures waiting to be discovered.

A particular delight for any manga enthusiast is stumbling upon a largely unknown series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. Here are some of the best lesser-known manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worthy of attention before they gain widespread popularity.

Several entries here have not yet reached a large audience, partly due to they haven't received anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to where they're available. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.

10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but hear me out. Comics are often fun, and it's part of the charm. I admit that isekai is my guilty pleasure. While The Plain Salary Man isn't strictly an isekai, it embraces familiar conventions, including an incredibly strong protagonist and a RPG-like world structure. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by entering fantastical portals that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to pummel creatures. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to keep his hobby secret, 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 via a free service. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher sets the standard, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, the series is highly recommended.

9. Nito's Exorcists

• Author: Iromi Ichikawa
• Released by: Shueisha
• Find it on: Manga Plus

Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists evokes the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its creepy atmosphere, distinctive artwork, and unexpected brutality. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of finding the one that murdered his mentor. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is more interested in protecting Gotsuji than supporting his vengeance. The premise sounds simple, but the portrayal of the cast is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the comedic design of foes and the violent battles is a nice extra touch. This is a series with real potential to go the distance — if it's allowed to continue.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then look no further. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is spectacular, detailed, and distinctive. The narrative hews close from classic shonen conventions, with individuals with abilities combating monsters (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, solving problems in a working-class district where people and animal-human hybrids live together.

The villains, called Maga, are born from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga has powers relating to the manner of death: someone who hanged themselves can strangle others, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. It could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, 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
• Released by: Shueisha
• Available on: Viz

This grim fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a new viewpoint for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it presents massive army conflicts. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—people with distinct abilities. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which lets him guide troops 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 setting is somewhat generic, and the inclusion of futuristic tech can seem jarring, but it still delivered grim twists and unexpected plot twists. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an compelling ability ruleset, and an interesting combination of strategy and horror.

6. Taro Miyao: Unexpected Feline Guardian

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

A calculating main character who reveres 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 a unique cure for his aches. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you