Manga is vast and diverse, with stories that transcend conventional genres and storytelling norms. Among these are numerous underrated manga, hidden gems that, despite their exceptional quality, often remain overshadowed by more prominent titles. These lesser-known works offer readers a chance to explore a variety of unique narratives, rich character development, and distinctive art styles.
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For instance, the manga Spirit Circle delves into the intricacies of reincarnation and fate, weaving past lives, while Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer presents a quirky blend of action and humor. This list explores the best-underrated manga for both seasoned manga enthusiasts and newcomers.
10Children Of The Sea
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.97
Children Of The Sea
Why Read Children Of The Sea?
Children of the Sea is a beautifully crafted, underrated manga that merges mystery,environmentalism, and surrealism. The story revolves around Ruka, a young girl drawn to the ocean. Her life changes when she meets two brothers, Umi and Sora, who were raised by dugongs and share a mysterious connection with the sea.
Children of the Sea stands out with its breathtaking artwork capturing the majesty and mystery of the marine world with detailed depictions of aquatic life and seascapes. The manga invites readers to ponder deep questions about nature, existence, and our place in the world, making it a unique and captivating experience.
Release Date
Where To Read
August 24, 2025
9Voynich Hotel
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.02
Voynich Hotel
Why Read Voynich Hotel?
Voynich Hotel is an eccentric and dark comedy underrated manga set on a fictional island, where the titular Voynich Hotel, known for its peculiar inhabitants and bizarre occurrences, serves as the main backdrop. The story primarily follows Kuzuki Taizou, a Japanese tourist who comes to stay at the hotel and encounters its oddball residents, including the witch-like maids, a drug-dealing chef, and other curious characters.
Voynich Hotel is known for its unique blend of humor, horror, and surreal storytelling, delivered in a distinctive art style that complements its offbeat tone. The narrative is episodic, with each chapter introducing new, often absurd, scenarios that gradually weave into an overarching plot.
Jul 08, 2025
Crunchyroll
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.22
Why Read Solanin?
Solanin is a poignantslice-of-life mangathat explores the existential struggles of young adults in contemporary society. The story revolves around Meiko Inoue, a recent college graduate, and her boyfriend, Naruo Taneda, an aspiring musician. Meiko, dissatisfied with her monotonous office job, and Naruo, stuck in a rut with his band, grapple with the realities of adulthood.
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What makes Solanin stand out is the art that captures the subtleties of everyday life with melancholy and warmth. For example, the narrative addresses the loss of direction and the fear of an unfulfilled life, as seen in Meiko’s decision to quit her job and search for a deeper sense of fulfillment.
August 15, 2025
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.30
Why Read Blame!?
Blame! is a post-apocalyptic underrated manga set in a vast, dystopian labyrinth called The City. This megastructure is filled with danger, including hostile cyborgs and sinister AI. The story follows Killy, a taciturn loner, on a quest to find a human with the Net Terminal Gene, a key to restoring order and possibly saving humanity.
Blame! stands out for its unique art style characterized by its detailed, sprawling architectural landscapes and minimalistic character design. The storytelling is equally distinctive, relying heavily on visuals and action rather than dialogue, creating a mysterious, immersive atmosphere that pulls the reader into its world.
June 22, 2025
6Lucifer And Biscuit Hammer
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.33
Lucifer And Biscuit Hammer
Why Read Lucifer And Biscuit Hammer?
Lucifer and Biscuit Hammer is an imaginative, underrated manga. It tells the story of Yuuhi Amamiya, a college student who wakes up to find a talking lizard knight claiming he’s been chosen to protect a princess and save the world from the Biscuit Hammer, a gigantic hammer in space poised to destroy the Earth.
Yuuhi soon meets Samidare Asahina, his neighbor with a secret identity and a surprising ambition: she plans to save the world only to destroy it herself. It’s not just a story about saving the world; it’s about the characters' personal battles, growth, and the choices they make in the face of an uncertain future.
5Look Back
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.37
Why Read Look Back?
Look Back is an underratedone-shot mangaby Tatsuki Fujimoto, acclaimed for Chainsaw Man. The manga tells the heartfelt story of two young manga artists, Fujino and Kyomoto. Initially, they are rivals in their school’s manga club, but their relationship evolves into a deep friendship. They start working together, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Fujino’s outgoing nature helps Kyomoto open up, while Kyomoto’s artistic talent inspires Fujino to improve her skills. As they age, their paths diverge: Fujino decides to give up drawing manga after a tragic incident, while Kyomoto continues pursuing her dream. Look Back is a must-read for its beautiful, sensitive portrayal of human connections.
June 24, 2025
4Hinamatsuri
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.47
Hinamatsuri
Why Read Hinamatsuri?
Hinamatsuri is an unconventional and underrated manga that combines sci-fi, comedy, and slice-of-life elements. The story begins with Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member whose life changes by the sudden appearance of Hina, a mysterious girl with telekinetic powers. She emerges from a strange pod that appears in his apartment, and Nitta finds himself reluctantly taking on a father-like role.
Hinamatsuri stands out for its unique comedy with heartfelt moments. Hina’s use of her powers in everyday situations often ends with disastrous and humorous results. For example, she hits a baseball so hard it becomes a tiny dot in the sky, much to the amazement and confusion of her classmates.
June 23, 2025
3Spirit Circle
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.49
Spirit Circle
Why Read Spirit Circle?
Spirit Circle is an underrated manga that explores reincarnation through its protagonist, Fuuta Okeya. Fuuta discovers that he has lived several past lives and is entangled in a cycle of retribution with another soul, Kouko Ishigami. Each chapter delves into one of Fuuta’s past lives, revealing how these past experiences shape his current existence.
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Spirit Circle’s unique approach to fate and karma makes it stand out. Instead of focusing on a single narrative, it weaves various stories from different eras. An example is one of Fuuta’s lives in a medieval setting, where he’s reincarnated as Lafalle, and decisions made under feudal pressures echo into his current relationships, showing a nuanced portrayal of cause and effect.
July 31, 2025
2Dorohedoro
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.68
Dorohedoro
Why Read Dorohedoro?
Dorohedoro is a dark and wildly imaginative underrated manga set in a chaotic world divided between two dimensions: the Hole, a dismal, decrepit city, and the world of Sorcerers. The story centers around Caiman, an amnesiac man with a reptile head, and his quest to recover his memories and original human form.
He suspects a sorcerer is responsible for his transformation and seeks answers in a violent, often bizarre fashion. What makes Dorohedoro stand out is its unique blend of horror and bizarre yet captivating art style. The manga is filled with eccentric characters, like Shin, a sorcerer who wears a heart mask and is notable for his brutal nature.
August 23, 2025
1The Climber
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.75
The Climber
Why Read The Climber?
The Climber is #1 on this list because it’s a gripping, underrated manga that showcases the intricate world of mountaineering. The story follows Mori Buntarou, who discovers his passion for climbing when he transfers to a new high school. His journey from indoor climbing walls to the daunting Himalayas is both physical and metaphysical.
Kokou no Hito’s profound exploration of solitude, ambition, and the human spirit’s relationship with nature makes it special. The art is spectacular, capturing the majesty and terror of the mountains. The climbing scenes are meticulously detailed and realistic, conveying the technicalities of the sport and the internal struggles of the protagonist.
June 06, 2025
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