While the mainstream manga scene continues to dominate, there are countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Here are 10 underrated manga titles that have gained popularity in 2024:
1. Kaiju No. 8
- Genre: Sci-fi, action
- Synopsis: In a world overrun by giant monsters, a young man dreams of joining the Defense Force to protect humanity. However, he’s rejected due to his height. When a mysterious kaiju enters his life, he discovers a hidden power that could change everything.
2. Oshi no Ko
- Genre: Drama, mystery, supernatural
- Synopsis: A popular idol dies during childbirth, leaving behind twins who inherit her extraordinary talent. As they navigate the harsh world of entertainment, they unravel a dark conspiracy that connects them to their mother’s past.
3. Akebi-chan no Salaryman Battle
- Genre: Comedy, slice-of-life
- Synopsis: A young woman named Akebi dreams of becoming a salarywoman. Despite her small stature, she’s determined to prove herself in the competitive corporate world. Her hilarious adventures and relatable struggles make for a heartwarming and entertaining read.
4. The Quintessential Quintuplets
- Genre: Rom-com, harem
- Synopsis: A high school student is hired to tutor five identical quintuplets, all of whom are struggling in school. As he helps them overcome their academic challenges, he also finds himself caught in a love triangle between the five sisters.
5. Spy x Family
- Genre: Action, comedy, family
- Synopsis: A spy is forced to marry a woman with psychic abilities and adopt a child with telepathic powers. Together, they must pretend to be a normal family while carrying out dangerous missions for their government.
6. Komi-san is Communicating
- Genre: Comedy, romance, slice-of-life
- Synopsis: Shoko Komi is a beautiful and popular girl who suffers from severe social anxiety. When she transfers to a new school, she befriends a kind-hearted boy named Hitohito Tadano, who helps her overcome her fears and make friends.
7. My Dress-Up Darling
- Genre: Romance, comedy, hobby
- Synopsis: Wakana Gojo is a skilled doll maker who dreams of becoming a professional craftsman. When he meets Marin Kitagawa, a popular girl who loves cosplay, they form an unlikely partnership and discover a shared passion for creating costumes.
8. Horimiya
- Genre: Romance, comedy, school life
- Synopsis: Hori Kyosuke is a popular student who hides his caring side from his classmates, while Miyamura Izumi is a quiet loner who has a secret: he’s covered in tattoos. When they discover each other’s true selves, they form a friendship that blossoms into something more.
9. We Never Learn
- Genre: Rom-com, harem
- Synopsis: Nariyuki Yuiga is a high school student who is offered free tuition in exchange for tutoring two of his classmates, who are struggling to get into college. As he helps them achieve their goals, he finds himself caught in a love triangle between the two girls.
10. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
- Genre: Isekai, fantasy, comedy
- Synopsis: A modern-day woman is reincarnated as a villainess from her favorite otome game. Knowing the tragic fate that awaits her character, she sets out to change her destiny and avoid the doom that is foretold.