This is such an important book because I feel people who have transphobic attitudes don't always understand they're being queer phobic and the way this book started was hard. This is a book about trans-joy but it also doesn't shy away from showing us some of the heavy parts of dysphoria. I love it and want to continue the rest of the series!

What a roller coaster of emotions! This is not just a manga but a social justice message. I loved the characters. They are looking for a place in this world, for acceptance which is hard to earn. As a way of trying to find themselves, the unlikely allies start their own clothing brand. It made me both sad and hopeful. Highly recommend.

There isn't nearly enough manga where a trans protagonist is treated with respect and dignity. I loved this. I can't wait to read more.

I love the main characters. Their friendship is great. I may have cried during some of those scenes. It is always nice to see trans representation. I love the art style. I also want that shirt. Damn.

The artwork in 'Boys Run the Riot' is nothing short of a visual masterpiece. It's so captivating that I found myself pausing multiple times, taking time to absorb and appreciate every intricate detail on the pages.

I came into this with high expectations because I'd seen so many people liking it, and I can genuinely say that I was not disappointed. This is the kind of narrative that lingers, one that requires a moment of reflection to fully process its depth and impact.

The struggles faced by the main character and the issues woven into the narrative are firmly grounded in reality, making it a graphic novel that resonates on a profound level. Its ability to touch on a myriad of relatable experiences ensures that it has something for everyone within its pages.

By the end of the novel, I just knew I had to find the second volume! In essence, 'Boys Run the Riot' transcends the realm of a graphic novel; it's a visual and emotional journey that leaves an indelible mark, urging readers to delve deeper into its compelling narrative.

Lovely premise. Lot of colors & beautiful artwork. I enjoyed reading this but it was a little slow in the beginning. Maybe it was my bias. Definitely will try next part.

Summary:

Ryo has known for most of his life that he's transgender. However, life can be challenging when you have nobody you can talk to, especially about such an integral part of who you are. This is made all the more challenging by his crush on his best friend.

Really, the only solace Ryo can find in life is dressing up in his favorite clothes. When he finds that the new transfer student enjoys the same clothing as him, he finally finds the connection he's been desperately searching for.

Review:

Oh wow. Boys Run the Riot, Vol. 1 is an emotional and powerful read. There are many parts of Ryo's story that people will be able to relate to, regardless of how similar their life is to it all. We've all felt isolated and alone.

While it doesn't take long for us to understand the foundation of this story, it does take a bit longer for everything to kick off. That's pretty common for character-driven stories and slice-of-life tales, so there are no complaints here! It gives readers plenty of time to learn about Ryo, his crush, and Jin (the transfer student).

This is the perfect series if you're looking for a slice-of-life story that breaks the mold and portrays a different protagonist. By that, I mean a transgender lead, as you don't see that too often (which is such a shame).

Highlights:
Transgender main characters
Slice of Life

Trigger Warnings:
Bullying
Homomisia
Transmisia
Misgendering
Misogyny

Three school outcasts (a trans boy, a "juvenile delinquent" type who is repeating a grade, and a young man who is afraid to become like his father, team up to launch their own clothing brand. Along the way they learn that it IS ok to be different, even in a society that demands you fall in line, and that sometimes boys just need to riot.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC

I loved this book what a fantastic way to start a series, finished wanting to read the second volume immediately

This book is a wonderful starter for the series! It really connected with me and by the end I was dying for more interactions with these characters!

Boys Run the Riot is one of the most heartfelt and important manga I've encountered in a while, and also one of the most effortlessly cool. It's the story of Ryo Watari, a transgender boy at a high school that doesn't accept his gender, who struggles to fit in and even really understand himself. Then he meets Jin, an outcast most would call a delinquent, but in whom Ryo finds inspiration and a role model: someone who refuses to care what anyone else thinks or let them dictate who he should be. With Ryo's artistic talent, Jin's moneymaking savvy, and a shared love of street fashion, they decide to launch their own fashion brand.

It's a personal story from Keito Gaku, himself a trans man, who bares his soul on the pages and gives an honest, personal bent to a plot that could easily fall flat without that. Kodansha hired an all-transgender localisation team, too, and the result is a book that traverses sensitive topics with a great deal of care and humanity. It's beautiful, both heartfelt and heartbreaking. But as much as trans identity, coming out, and understanding oneself are core themes, there's a lot more to it than that: an exciting high school drama driven by compelling characters and with a fantastic fashion hook steeped in the swagger and creativity that drives streetwear.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC of this manga in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
---
I was interested to try this one out despite it not having the adventure/fantasy setting I typically enjoy.

Boys Run the Riot explores an important topic but I believe it could have been executed better.

The characters, especially the protagonist, felt very flat and it was thus hard to stay interested in the story.

I also felt that the plot was not really that concrete.

Overall rating: 2/5 stars

Manga isn't normally my cup of tea but I had to read this for work. I enjoyed it and the trans team that worked on it clearly has a lot of passion. Very interested in the second volume.

Boys Run the Riot is one the most stunning looks at identity and self that I've ever read. It's vulnerable and intimate, while also managing to tell a story that moves beautifully from plot point to plot point.

We need more stories like this. They're essential.

I loved this! I have two transgender sons that loved it and felt the representation was done well. Highly recommend this for everyone!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eGalley. All opinions are my own.

Boys Run the Riot was the single best manga title I read in 2021. It defies manga tropes while embracing diversity, individuality, and celebrating youth in a way that few other books can. It has become a go-to recommendation for reader's advisory, and if you're reading this review, you should stop wasting time and check it out.

This was beautifully illustrated and a great story. The characters were relatable and interesting and I’m very excited to see where the next one takes these boys.

This book did a great job showing one trans kids struggles and wins in Japan. The main character is able feel more free about who they really are when they focus on fashion. This story would be great for teens to compare and contrast how coming out can be for an individual in different places in the US vs. in a city in Japan. A must purchase where manga is popular, or where LGBTQ+ graphic novels are popular.

This was a really wonderful manga, and it is so nice to see the trans representation. I think the story itself dragged a little, and the pacing wasn't up to par, which was a shame. Not a bad story, but it just went a little too slowly for me.

Brilliant manga, the story is amazing and I really liked the characters. I think this manga gives a good insights into the live of a transgender person