The 10 Best 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 worthwhile release. Predictably, the biggest 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 hidden 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 motivations for they're worthy of attention ahead of the curve.

Some of these series lack a broad readership, 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

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

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series doesn't fully fit the genre, it embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a video-game-inspired fantasy framework. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is an archetypal exhausted salaryman 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 hide his pastime, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is an accessible title from a top company, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. Regarding online access, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're seeking a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Usually, the word "exorcist" in a manga title turns me away due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. The Nito Exorcists reminds me of the finest elements of a popular supernatural battle manga, with its eerie vibe, distinctive artwork, and sudden violence. I stumbled upon it accidentally and got hooked instantly.

Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who kills evil spirits in the hope of discovering his master's killer. He's joined by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The premise sounds simple, but the character development is subtle and refined, 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 become a hit — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, intricate, and one-of-a-kind. The story doesn't stray far to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're not labeled as exorcists), but the cast is wonderfully eccentric and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, resolving disputes in a low-income area where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. For those from people, the Maga wields magic reflecting the circumstances of their end: a suicide by hanging manifests as a choking force, one who perished by suicide causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that adds depth to these antagonists. Gokurakugai could be the next big hit, but it's held back by its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only a handful of volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.

7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song

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

This grim fantasy manga examines the common conflict theme 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 lets him transform noise into illumination, which helps him command armies on the battlefield, using his trumpet and upbringing in a ruthless soldier group to become a skilled strategist, fighting to eventually earn his freedom.

The backdrop is a little plain, and the insertion of sci-fi elements feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with grim twists and shocking story pivots. It's a grown-up battle manga with a collection of odd personalities, an engaging magic framework, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.

6. The Cat Parent Adventures of Taro Miyao

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

A emotionally distant main character who reveres Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and advocates for ruthless pragmatism takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—supposedly since a massage from its little feet is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you