This manga started serialisation in 2023, so it's not *as* recent, but have you read the BEST new-gen DARK FANTASY, ACTION SHOUNEN MANGA of the 2020s, the peak of human literature, Kagurabachi? If you're looking for a story with a more slow-burning pacing and world-building, but masterfully-written plot, realistically written and interesting characters with great designs, GORGEOUS ART that evolves with each new chapter, MOVIE-LIKE fighting choreography, BEAUTIFUL panelling and composition and NO ROMANCE, ZERO FANSERVICE AND ABSOLUTELY NO SEXUALISATION, ESPECIALLY OF IT'S FEMALE CAST!! OH ALSO IMPORTANT MENTION; DON'T DROP THIS AT CHAPTER 58 (IYKYK), TRUST THE PROCESS OF HOKAZONO-SENSEI'S GENIUS!! GO READ IT NOW!!!
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/kagurabachi/ (PEAK FICTION)
This is definitely new, it came out at the end of last year, and the plot and world-building, while a bit more slow, are promising and pretty interesting so far, it also features a FEMALE MAIN CHARACTER, there's NO ROMANCE (for now at least) OR WEIRD ASS SEXUALISATION, and the cherry on top is the fact it was written by a woman:
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/witchriv/
These other ones also have great world-building and interesting plots, not really sure how recent they are, but they're all still on-going (mostly action genre btw, no romance tho):
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/gokurakugai/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/tokyo_aliens/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/gachiakuta/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/galaxias/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/ghost_fixers/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/centuria/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/psycho_eyes/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/chainsaw_man/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/madan_no_ichi/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/tongari_boushi_no_atelier/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/night_light_hounds/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/magical_girl_and_narco_wars/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/the_marshal_king/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/kai_hen_wizards/
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/ruby_on_the_cake_hitogui_majo_no_bansankai/
Thanks, this has been in my backlog for a while!
Thank youuu, and I'm fine with manga made before 2023, I meant recent as in between the 2010s-2020s :D
Anyone have good recs for more recent Japanese manga with good world-building and plot? Romantic sub-plots are fine!