I really enjoyed this!

First, before starting this review, I should say I don't know much about about trans experiences or about the LGBT+ culture in Japan. That being said, I found this story really accessible and relatable.

The characters are unique and varied. The main protagonists are united around the goal of creating their own unique fashion brand which becomes an accessible metaphor for Ryo's fight to establish his own identity.

The manga is really well translated. The notes at the back provide extra information on the translation and culture aspects. The interview with the author is really insightful. It's great to hear the experiences of a trans mangaka and how it shaped the story.

I would definitely read more in this series.

I can remember the first time I read a manga with a trans main character. It was Claudine by Riyoko Ikeda. A classic piece of manga history receiving its official English translation just a few years ago.

Over the years, we've been blessed with a wider variety of newer, fresher and more nuanced storytelling featuring LGBTQIA+ characters in the realm of manga reaching our shores being translated outside of Japan. As someone who has been reading manga since I was a kid--middle school years--I just never thought I’d ever get to read such a manga like Boys Run The Riot. Not for lack of Japanese creatives making such incredible work but because of other factors like considering what publishers would push what titles, public (conservative leaning) opinion, and the like.

Keito Gaku’s manga comes at such a time. Boys Run The Riot comes at such a time.

This manga has strong coming of age vibes and those who love series set in high school (a la’ school life) will appreciate the narrative of Ryo coming into his own. Just as a trans person living in a body, going to a school, living in a home where he can’t fully be himself. But as a young adult wanting to forge a future for himself and have some measure of happiness and fulfillment. For Ryo: his escape from all that’s work in his life is art and fashion and the clothes he can wear and the street wear he admires. It is camouflage. It is armor. It is one of the few weapons he can utilize to feel okay in his own skin.

The mangka never loses focus on Ryo and his struggles and pulls them into this beautifully heart wrenching and hopeful story about finding your true self and the unexpected ally you may find along the way. There are spots of comedic hilarity. There’s tears and frustrations. There’s profound moments. There’s thought provoking commentary on what it feels like to be an outsider--a sentiment that everyone in their teen years has felt at least once. It is 2021 and we’re seeing more and more stories with and about trans, nonbinary and genderqueer characters getting their due and not in the background. The other characters like a quiet, non-confirmative classmate who loves taking photos and the young man who ends up being Ryo’s partner in crime, so to speak--both start to go down paths of being more courageous and doing more.

I’ve really enjoyed the art style that Gaku brings to the table: I love the attention to detail to the street wear the teens make, the graffiti, the intensity of the expressions especially when in the emotional scenes. Boys Run The Riot comes at such a time. Easily one of my favorite manga debuts this year, Kodansha has taken care and really paid attention to handling this incredible story: I had picked up from Twitter that the English translator (Leo McDonald) is trans but the entire team behind the English-language release is all trans. Wow! I know in reviews and publishing, we talk about representation so often yet being able to hold a book like this in my hands is really the dream.

It is also one that I hope continues--that more trans creatives can collab on bringing more storytelling that presents whole, evolving portrayals of trans folks that escape the tragic stories that have been the norm. My one critique actually is influenced by a few reviews that I read regarding how Ryo’s gender dysphoria could be explored/explained more clearer in the first volume. Alas, as I am not someone who deals with that, I am not equipped to speak on it as some other readers and reviewers have but I am certainly interested in how that is handled in the narrative here on out and hope to educate myself to understand those who are dealing with issues like so. This manga blew me out of the water and I can’t wait to read the next issue.

Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, misgendering, Gender Dysphoria
Minor: blood, bullying

This manga is EVERYTHING. As a japanese student, one of my focuses is LGBT life and legislature in japan, and the laws for transgender japanese people to legally and medically transition are archaic and can be dangerous for some. Seeing a manga by a trans author get an english translation means so so much and the shifting acceptance of LGBT media and people in japan is so important. I can’t wait until vol 2 is out and I can continue this story!! It’s sweet and motivating at the same time. I love the art style and the pace and am so excited to continue with it!

I've been hearing about this manga for a while now and I finally decided to give it try. I freaking fell in love with the first volume. It feels refreshing to have a trans main character set in the classic high school trope. This first volume really set a high bar and I'm quite curious to see the story progress.
This is for sure one of my best reads of 2021.

A transgender boys join the new guy of his school to create a clothes brand with him. All of this while he struggles with his gender identity and social stigma.
The relationship between Ryo and Jin, it's interesting and super nature. They want to send a message with the brand, although they put different meaning though clothes.
It's interesting how the author talks about gender identity and gender dysphoria, I really enjoyed and want to read more about this Boys Run the Riot.

A trans boy starts feeling like it's ok to express his true self when the new guy in his class asks him to set up a clothes brand with him.
It was so interesting to see how different people can love clothes and still have such different views on them. How it affects gender dysphoria and gender expression but also just expression in general.
I'm impatient to find out more about everyone and where this brand will take them.
I have a feeling I'll be getting very attached very soon.

An advanced reader copy was provided to me by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This manga focuses on the character called Ryuu who is trans who grows more comfortable with himself and becomes friends with the intimidating new transfer student, Jin, and create a fashion company. Despite my horrible summary of the manga, please read it. It's such a good read that you will most definitely enjoy from the plot of finding new family and acceptance to the amazing artwork. The plot of this book is more of a realistic/slice of life manga that focuses on Ryuu's identity struggles and sets up the characters really well. It's an incredibly important manga that reminds me of the Japanese drama Joshi teki Seikatsu (Life as a Girl) that follows a transgender woman in the fashion industry. If you're looking for media similar to Boys Run Riot, I would highly recommend Joshi teki Seikatsu as well.

I loved this manga. I highly recommend it! I read it in a few sitting and I can't wait to continue with the series. This manga left me feeling warm inside and I am excited to see what will happen next and see how the characters will develop further.

"No shame in my game"

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Boys Run The Riot has been one of my most anticipated Manga releases since I first heard about it, and it definitely lived up to my expectations.

The story follows Ryo, a trans teenager who is battling with all the expectations placed on him. He just wants to be himself but thinks those around him will never understand, so he has come to terms with the fact he is probably the only person who will ever know who he really is. Since he cannot tell anyone, Ryo uses clothing to feel more at ease and has come to expect the questions and comments made by his parents, teachers and peers.

When new boy Jin transfers into his class, Ryo thinks he's just another bully. However when they bump into each other at a clothing store, they soon develop a bond over their love of street fashion and Ryo finally finds someone he can be himself around. Together, they decide to launch a fashion brand where everyone can be themselves.

//

I thoroughly enjoyed this manga, the story was great and I loved the art style. It was super heartfelt but also fun. I loved seeing the friendship develop between Ryo and Jin, and I'm intrigued to see what will happen with Chika, and also to find out more about the new character introduced in the final pages. I'll definitely be on the look out for future volumes!

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Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

I think before you take my review very seriously, you should know that I do not read manga, actually, I think this can be one of the first I read. Considering I do not know very well what makes a manga good, I will evaluate this as I evaluate the books that I read. I liked the characters I think they can be more developed, but in general, I liked them, the story itself not so much, I found that story came out of nowhere, I think it lacks development, and everything that happens it's kind of confusing but that can be because I don't read manga and don't understand them completely.
So I do not know if I recommend it, the characters and their stories are very interesting but the main story not so much!

Well I devoured this!!!!

« A transgender teen named Ryo finds an escape from the expectations and anxieties of his daily life in the world of street fashion. This personal, heartfelt, fictional story from a transgender manga creator made waves in Japan and will inspire readers all over the world. »

The artist, Keito Gaku is a transgender man living in Japan and he explains in the interview at the end of the manga that much of it is inspired from his own experiences.

I’m not an own voice reviewer but this is such an important read and I cannot recommend it enough. It also was my first manga with LGBTQIA+ rep. I really loved this coming of age story and look forward to reading volume 2!

Also made me think about the whole uniform issue at school and how it can oppress so many students while on their journey to find their own identity.

Ryo has spent a lot of time since middle school dealing with gender dysphoria, but no one seems to understand his need to be treated as a boy... that is until a certain delinquent arrives and challenges Ryo to pursue clothing that makes both of them feel like themselves. Things get complicated as the two start their own fashion brand but find themselves targeted by local school bullies and misunderstood by parents and teachers. Ryo not only finds a way to get past his own shame and anxieties but also inspire others to be true to themselves.

For many teenagers dealing with gender dysphoria, support from friends, parents or teachers isn't always a given. This book speaks to the power of one person's understanding and support and the ways that we all have to face discrimination in some way. Although figuring out the Japanese-style orientation and some translation notes might stop some, I think that those who need it will be drawn to this book and find a sense of solidarity whether they are transgender, allies, or just someone who needs a little affirmation to pursue their dreams.

There is this saying in Japanese, 出る釘は打たれる, which basically means the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. It can be applied to all kinds of situations, but honestly, it's a euphemism/justification for bullying.

Boys Run The Riot is a story of a trans boy (Watari) who has to navigate the fact that he's not out to his friends yet and the wish to express his gender the way he feels most comfortable with. It's easy to be bullied at school, and it seems especially so in Japan, and the case gets even worse for queer students. Four years ago, a report released by Human Rights Watch considered the level of harassment lgbtqai+ students get in Japanese schools an epidemic.

So it was nice to see a transgender student simply existing in Blue Period published by Kodansha last year and it's great to see a transgender main character in Boys Run The Riot. And it was also great to find out that the author is trans himself. The volume beautifully portrays the gender euphoria Watari experiences when he wears boys' clothes, which leads to a meeting with a new “cool” student in his class (Jin). Jin is extremely into clothes, and almost immediately asks Watari to start a clothing brand together. It's a manga, it's not supposed to be realistic.

The entire premise just so positive and full of acceptance it has to be lovable. And I think that even if it's unrealistic in the levels of acceptance Watari gets, it's important, because somewhere, sometime, a kid is going to read it and feel a bit more accepted; another kid is going to read it and think, well, it's not that hard to support that queer friend of mine. As Jin says, why wouldn't you want a friend to confide in you?

The characters are lovable too, although they are quite typical of the genre—boys rebelling at school, fighting against bullies, being a bit tsundere at times. Watari is the relatable one, the one with more variety to his character, while Jin is there mainly to offer support and be intimidating. There is also a third friend who joins the group later, but we don’t know much about him except for his love for photography.

Per usual, the last chapter offers a bit of suspense, so hopefully there is more drama to come in the next volumes.

wow! I like that the mc discovering that he is trans, was an important part of the story, but not the main plot. He is dealing hard with gender dysmorphia and is insecure about standing out, whilst the other mc doesn’t care about being the „the nail sticking out“ and he likes to express himself with his clothes.
I loved the friendship between them (and later the third one).
Also, the artstyle is amazing! Excited to read the next volume :D
(thanks netgalley for for the e-arc!)

I loved this! What a refreshing read! I don't think I have read a afab trans manga before and this handles the subject matter perfectly

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this manga. Trigger warnings for bullying, trans hate, and negative self-identification. This manga is one that has been hyped for the last month upon writing this and with good reason. There's trans representation that feels to me very genuine especially with the internal conflict. To me, this gave me the combination of feels with the anime Smile Down the Runway with the anime/manga of Beck Mongolian Chop Squad. I appreciate the feels that this volume gave me with the feeling of being included with also friends being able to come together sharing a common goal to follow their dreams. The artstyle is also amazing and very distinctive. Overall, I am very excited to continue this series in the future and would definitely recommend this. 4.5 out of 5 stars

“Living freely also comes with sacrifices. If you still want to do it, then please, don’t give up."

This was a fun read! I really enjoyed the first chapters the most, the ones about Ryo finding his confidence and using clothing to express himself. Ryo was the most interesting character for me because the story really showed him going back and forth between wanting to be out and Trans versus pushing everyone out of his life and vowing to be misunderstood forever. I love the way that Ryo found himself, gained a best friend, and expressed his feeling in graffiti -that part was cool.

But Ryo's moment is only the first half of the book and then it changes perspectives to another character. Though I liked the photographer boy and I get where his struggle was coming from, this part of the book just wasn't as strong or impactful. And then the bullying seemed to come out of nowhere along with some weird dialogue. The ending is fun though, and everybody has their moment. I think the message of "do whatever you have to in order to express yourself" is bold, especially for queer folks to be out there sharing their experience- it's a powerful thing. I think teenagers would really connect with this book.

“Whatever you want to convey to someone whether it’s anger, or sadness, or whatever moves you… even if it’s a little awkward, it’ll be your own way of telling it.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Boys Run the Riot!

Summary: Trans highschooler Ryu finds an escape and self expression in the world of graffiti art and street fashion. The new transfer student Jin looks like just another bully but when they have similar taste in fashion Jin upturns Ryu’s expectations by asking him to work on a fashion line together.

I enjoyed this manga and thought this first volume laid some good groundwork for the characters. It was great to see really well done ownvoices trans rep and I loved that there’s an interview with the author at the end of the book. Not something I had really seen before in a manga!

While the plot sort of centers around making their own clothing line it's much more about Ryu gaining confidence and learning to be okay being different. These are the parts of the book I liked most and they give it a YA coming of age vibe.

The one thing that didn't work for me about this one was the art. Which is pretty rare, I am down for all different kinds of stylization but in this case it felt not like a stylistic choice but a stiffness and awkwardness from inexperience. Even with that I think you can still enjoy the story.

This is the kind of manga I needed as a child/teen, I would be happy to recommend it to be purchased by my library and to recommend it as part of reader's advisory. Not to mention wanting to read the rest myself! It is the first time I have seen a manga with a transman character or with a genderqueer character with the added excitement of the author being trans as well. The experiences and thoughts of the main character are very familiar to me as a nonbinary, transmasc leaning person and are beautifully emotionally illustrated. The plot is also a great guide for allyship in the character of Jin. I particulary enjoy that the manga focuses on fashion which, while a frequent topic of manga, I have never seen done with clothing that isn't feminine.. Overall a very solid manga I would love to recommend to teen and middle grad readers interested in lgbt, manga, or fashion.

This is the first manga I’ve come across that features a tran guy as a main character. Ryo faces struggles like bullying and being misunderstood but then he makes a new friend who gets him and they bond over men’s fashion.

It’s pretty darn wholesome and made me very happy. I’ll end buying this series to get all of the volumes once available in the US.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

Boys Run the Riot is about a group of boys proving to the world they are not ashamed to be who they are. The main character (or first focus) is Ryo, a transgender boy with gender dysphoria. He wears baggy clothes to school in effort to feel more like himself despite the fact that everyone still considers him a girl. He hates it though. He just wants to be seen as the boy he is. We, as readers, see his struggle in his artwork, relationships, and even his self-hatred. It is amazing! Usually in manga, we just see transgender characters dress as the opposite sex or get mistaken for the opposite sex. However, we never see the real struggles many people go through when they feel trapped by themselves. And all their pain is put into art, which might be what is saving them from tragedy.

Immediately after I post this review, I am contacting my library collections manager to request this be bought. Our shelves should have this available for patrons (of all ages) who may be going through this same struggles or know someone who is/has. Boys Run the Riot is also a recommended read for those teens who are angry at the world or want to start a business. There will no doubt be many more reasons to recommend the series as more books are released! However, it is safe to say Boys Run Riot is a must have for any shelf.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me a to review it!