The 10 Best Japanese Comics I Read This Year (Flying Under the Radar).

With the world of manga growing more vast by the day, it's increasingly difficult to discover every noteworthy new series. Predictably, the biggest series get all the attention, but there's a plethora of overlooked works just out of sight.

A particular delight for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and spreading the word to friends. I present of the finest under-the-radar manga I've enjoyed this past year, along with explanations for why they're worth checking out prior to a potential boom.

A few of these titles are still awaiting a broad readership, notably because they are without anime adaptations. Some could be trickier to read due to where they're available. However, suggesting 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
• Find it on: Manga Plus

I know, it's an unusual starting point, but let me explain. Manga can be silly, 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 embraces familiar conventions, including an unbeatable hero and a RPG-like world structure. The appeal, however, lies in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who unwinds by exploring strange labyrinths that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to smash monsters. He's indifferent to treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and leave the office on time for a change.

There might be better isekai series, but this is one of the few released by a leading publisher, and thus conveniently readable to international audiences through a popular app. For easy reading, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, the series is a great choice.

9. The Exorcists of Nito

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

Typically, the word "exorcist" in a manga title makes me hesitant due to the genre's overpopularity, but two series changed my mind this year. This series recalls the best parts of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its creepy atmosphere, stylized art, and sudden violence. I started reading it by chance and was immediately captivated.

Gotsuji is a skilled spirit hunter who kills evil spirits in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's paired with his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than aiding his quest for revenge. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is thoughtfully executed, and the artistic dichotomy between the absurd look of the enemies and the bloody fights is a compelling layer. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — provided it survives.

8. Gokurakugai

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

For readers who value visual splendor, then this is it. Yuto Sano's work on the series is stunning, detailed, and distinctive. The narrative hews close to traditional battle manga tropes, with heroes clashing with demons (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the backdrop is compelling. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, manage the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.

The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. When human-based, the Maga has powers relating to the circumstances of their end: a hanging victim can strangle others, one who died from self-harm causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that gives weight to these antagonists. This series might become a major title, but it's constrained by its monthly schedule. Starting in 2022, only a limited number of chapters have been released, which can test a reader's patience.

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

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

This dark fantasy manga tackles the ubiquitous battle trope from a novel angle for shonen. Instead of centering on individual duels, it showcases epic historical battles. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, leveraging his musical skill and past in a cruel mercenary band to become a skilled strategist, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.

The setting is somewhat generic, and the insertion of sci-fi elements can seem jarring, but The Bugle Call still surprised me with dark turns and surprising narrative shifts. It's a grown-up battle manga with a cast of quirky characters, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of warfare and grim fantasy.

6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!

• Creator: Sho Yamazaki
• Publisher: 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—allegedly because a massage from its small claws 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