Member Reviews
The art in this book really caught my attention! I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded the trans rep and concepts were so refreshing to see in a manga. I cant wait for the next volume!
This such such a progression manga the main character as a transgender ftm trying to find his way in a Japanese school and ends up friend a friend who in turn they make a clothing line. It was such a sweet and inspiring story I absolutely love it!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this manga! Boys Run the Riot follows a transgender student named Ryo struggling with his identity and self-expression. He loves clothes, art, and streetwear, and ends up hitting it off with the scary new transfer student, Jin. When he asks Ryo to start a fashion brand with him, things at school start getting difficult, and Ryo has to deal with his past to live the life he wants in the future.
The rep in this meant a lot to me as a trans reader! The author himself is trans, and it really reflects in the story. I loved the bonds between Ryo and his friends, and I found it really interesting how much detail was put into the opening of their business! (Between this and all the small business tiktoks I get on my fyp, it's making me want to open my own...) The character development for Ryo as he moved through the story was paced quite well, and it was clear how Jin's acceptance of him really helped him grow into his own.
I also loved how fashion was utilized as a form of self-expression in this story. Clothing can be super important to people, and it's recently become very important to me, so I think I read this as just the right time. I can't wait to read the next volume!
This was such a good first volume! Not only is it lovely to see trans rep in manga, the story itself is already intriguing which is very promising.
Ryo's feelings as a trans teenager are very relatable and how all the characters' friendships are formed feels realistic and not forced at all. The writing is not tedious to read at all and despite not being into fashion or photography, I didn't feel left behind or bored!
The art, itself, is also lovely. I enjoyed everything about this!
5/5 stars!
I am absolutely in love with this book, and it is so far one of my favorites of 2021. Ryo’s story and his developing friendships are so genuine and authenic, and the representation is on point. I can’t wait to read volume two.
This was so incredible, and I really loved Ryuu and how he found clothes he felt comfortable and more himself in. I loved how fashion was his outlet to finding himself and feeling settled in his life. I adored Jin and how even though Ryuu initially thought he would be like all the other people who didn't understand, he was so easy and accepting about Ryuu being trans, how he didn't even question it, how he just needed to be told. This was a great story, and I cannot wait for more of these two boys taking the fashion world by storm!
Boys Run the Riot is my surprise favourite of 2021 and boy did it hit me like a ton of bricks.
On the surface, this is a story about Ryo, a closeted transgender teen boy, and a new transfer student named Jin who decide to leave a mark on the world by starting their own online fashion brand. But really, this is a story about absolutely anyone who has ever felt like they don’t know how to be the person that society has decided they’re supposed to be.
The way this series deals with the themes it presents is pretty unexpected. Yes, this is Ryo’s story and his journey as a transgender boy from a traditional family trying to navigate school and life. But it’s also every bit as much about Jin and Itsuka and Jin’s friends and everyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong but don’t know how to do anything other than try to fit in.
Volume one introduces some great characters and sets up Ryo and his friends’ journeys really well. I can already tell that this is shaping up to be a pretty damn emotional rollercoaster of a contemporary series and I’m so excited to find out where it all goes from here.
We’re long overdue for these kinds of stories to get their dues in manga and I couldn’t be anticipating the next volume more. Also, the art style is phenomenal.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC!
Boys Run the Riot
5/5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Today is Boys Run the Riot US release day!
I started this manga while getting ready for finals and accidentally read it all in one sitting. I'm not a huge fashion person, but i love art and understand some concepts form cosplay. I also like small businesses so getting to see these two teens creat their own brand was very intriguing and . The art in this manga, and specifically the graffiti, was *chef's kiss.*
I read a lot of manga, although it's mainly shounen with a few slice of life shojo thrown in for a break from all the action. So getting to see a manga about a trans character BY a trans mangaka was new for me but damn if I wasn't incredibly excited about it. As someone who is cis, I thought the depiction of gender dysphoria both in art and the definition added in the story and how Ryo talks about how it makes him feel was done in a way that everyone could understand and see how it's harmful. Although Ryo's struggle with being trans is one of the manga's focus it's not all it's about. Getting to see Ryo become friends with Sato, who is originally seen as just a delinquent based on how he dresses, was really cute and enjoyable. He tries to be supportive and is open to learn by reminding Ryo that he can't do that if they don't communicate. I've enjoyed this manga so much and already have my hold at the library as I wait to get the physical copy to reread it and can't wait to see what else these boys have to face to get their brand to the world and find themselves along the way.
5/5
I received this book in exchange of an honest review, from the lovely people at Kodansha Comics and Netgalley.
"No Shame In My Game"
In my very limited time of living on this planet, I don't think I ever read a comic that was so emotional to me, more educational or endearing then Boys Run The Riot by Keito Gaku. It's one of the only prominent manga that gives you a huge dive into the LGBTQ+ in japan, what it means to have gender dysphoria and the struggles of accepting who you truly are while coming to terms with it while you have friends who will support you. Ryo journey with this delinquent student, Jin is so precious. Jin acceptance could be due to his simple nature or he doesn't completely understand Ryo's plight but he has his back. He wants to make a fashion brand so they can both expressed themselves, Ryo through his graffiti and Jin with his designs. I loved how Keito managed to show us the depth of both characters, side characters too and their development. How difficult it is to come out as a transgender person and the sacrifices it brings with, which was suggested in the end of the volume and im intrigued to see where this will go. Also the artwork... DEAR LORD IS IT BEAUTIFUL. I especially can't draw my eyes away from the graffiti in the end of chapter 1. That will be forever etched to my brain. Please, support this manga, the author, buy it, spread the news, let more people know about this because it's going to be one of the best series published to date. I can't thank enough Kodansha Comics for bringing this into localization. Thank you.
Is it Diverse? A main Transgender (not out yet) protagonist, genderqueer side character.
I really enjoyed this! I have only recently started reading manga, so it’s nice to find something diverse and not just high school super heroes. I will definitely be on the lookout for volume 2!
A huge thank you to author Keito Gaku, @kodanshamanga, and @netgalley for gifting me with an eARC.
This was such a fresh mind-blowing, extremely beautiful coming-of-age story that made me wish for Volume 2 to be released today as well. I practically binge-read it on Saturday and I again just had to reread it today in celebration of its release before posting my review.
Boys Run the Riot is everything this world needs right now...it's about a second-year high school student named Ryoko Watari who is struggling with his desire to let his inner voice out whilst living in a society that doesn't appear to accept the differences in people. This is not only about finding yourself but about finding true friends among a sea of fakes that accepts you as you are. More importantly, it's a story about finding a dream that enables you to express the authenticity of yourself and it's about keeping it alive.
I am in love with this new series. It's serious with light humor sprinkled here and there. I love seeing the budding friendship between three people who are different in appearance but share the same soul. In my opinion, Hinata-sensei is all-around one of the most amazing (adult) characters so far. As the advisor for the girl's basketball team, she comes across as someone wise and understanding. She genuinely cares about her students.
Overall, an extremely raw, fast-paced, and heartfelt read. To be honest, I initially requested this ARC based on the in-your-face, striking cover art. So glad to see that I judged correctly. If you read LBTQ+ and manga, then please read this. Now, I can't say that reading this own voice manga will give you the full understanding of the diverse society we live in...the struggles and reality of dysmorphia, sexuality, and gender...but it's a start. I can't wait for the next volume to come out.
"It's a hundred times more freein' to live without shame." ~ Keito Gaku, Boys Run the Riot
I loved this book so much! The story follows a trans boy Ryoko Watari, who struggles to navigate in the world with everyone commenting on how he should be acting and dressing. Then one day a student from the year before got held back and is not in his class, Jin Sato. They connect do to being an outsider to everyone in school and having similar taste in fashion. Watari finds that Jin is completely accepting of him being trans, and Jin helps him figure out that fashion can help present his views of how he wants to present himself. Watari’s art skills and Jin’s marketing skills help them get started on their business idea and in comes another friend who helps them present their clothes by being a photographer. All of these characters were so interesting with the depth they held and the growth that is seen in just the first volume. The writing and art was fantastic and each character had a very distinctive voice that really matched how they present themselves. The story was so good because it’s character based and these characters you just want them to succeed. Overall, I loved this book and I am highly anticipating the sequel.
I've heard about this manga months ago when the English translation was first announced and I'm so happy that it lived up to my expectations! I am a huge fan of ownvoices stories and seeing a manga about a trans teen written by a trans author made me so happy, especially as the plot revolved not solely around identity but around art and fashion.
Ryo is a transgender guy, trying to keep his head down and out of sight of his classmates. When a new student, Jin, turns out to be the only one who see Ryo for who he is, the pair starts working on creating their own fashion brand.
There are so many amazing parts to this manga that I don't even know where to start. First, I have to mention that the art style is one of my favourites. I loved that the illustrations were crisp and really defined, which I sometimes don't get to see in the manga I read. I also loved the friendship between Jin and Ryo, especially because Jin seems a bit of a bully on the outside but a single conversation with him shows that he is really genuine and sweet.
I also loved that the focus of this manga is on fashion. Fashion helps Ryo express himself and I think that aspect would be relatable to many readers, even non-trans readers. This focus on fashion also allows the manga to be not just about identity but allows art as expression to be a part of the manga.
This first volume also includes a fascinating exclusive author interview between the publisher and the author in celebration of an English translation. I also liked that there was an acknowledgements from the editor that talked about their connection to the manga and that they worked with an all transgender team to make this release possible.
Overall, if you are a fan of manga, I highly recommend this title. Even non-manga readers who appreciate books with unique characters that make you want to root for them will enjoy this release. I am so excited to see where this series goes next!
I really enjoyed reading this manga. I thought that the idea of it was original. A trans guy who isn't out yet who only feels at home in themselves when they are wearing the clothing they feel confident in starts a clothing brand with an unlikely partner from school. The anger that comes with the dysphoria is something I have read about many times in other stories but I like how in this one, they channel their emotions into something that they are creating. It is really neat. Give it a shot.
This was so amazing! Representation in manga is hard to come by, and this did not disappoint. The main character's struggles are realistic and it is so important for others to have opportunities to see themselves represented in media.
Gender and gender identity are two things that aren't always talked about. Most people that go on this journey of self-expression think they are alone. I think this story can help people facing gender dysmorphia find their confidence and show them that people support them. This manga does a really good job at explaining the reality of dysmorphia, sexuality, and gender. This was a really promising beginning and I'm excited to read more!
Thank you, NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Keito Gaku for the arc!
Read this one then gave to my teen to read as she is very vocal about diversity. It great to have a main character that is transgender. Depictions of bindings and vocalisation of not feeling that they were who they actually were (especially around how they had to dress in school) were also well done.
It started strongly and I had high hopes but I felt it lost itself along the way. There were too many threads coming in so no part of the story felt focused. In the end I got a little bored and that was a view shared by my teen.
My favourite part of this book is the graphic graffiti art that depicts someone shedding the skin they are in and emerging from it. It was worth reading this book just for that art.
This is only my third graphic novel and my first foray into manga, but I loved it. The imagery was exactly what I wanted and it was really well done. I love the storyline and the way it tackled some complex issues around gender, sexuality, the connection between fashion and gender identity expressions, and the process of self-discovery. The story was fast-paced and easy to read, with some fantastic character development. I can safely say that this has really set off an interest in a new genre for me.
I would recommend this for secondary school kids as I think it teaches some important lessons. I'm super excited by this series and can't wait to continue my journey with the trio.
* There does need to be a little reminder that you read in traditional manga format, so right to left.*
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC of Boys Run the Riot, in exchange for an honest review!
An engaging story with a well developed cast of characters, trans representation, and an insightful look at the intersections between fashion and gender identity expression. The chapters were well paced, the art was solid and easy to follow, and I am looking forward to reading more in the future!
I read and received a DARC through the publisher and NetGalley. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There are so many notable quotes, but I'll share one of my favorites: "We're not doing it to try and get rich quick. And we're not just doing it to escape from reality. We're just doing it to bite back at the world, society, convention...and our own lives"
First off, this is the first manga I ever read with a transgender protagonist created by a transgender manga creator. This is a must read for those who are looking for more representation in manga, especially in the LGBTQ+ community and to learn how to be a good ally.
Right away, I love, love, love the illustrations. The colors, the fashion, the intricate details of clothing, and the facial expressions depicting the desire to escape from expectations and anxieties pop right out of the page. The panels emphasize the raw emotions pouring out of Ryo and I love every minute of it. His heartfelt coming of age story deserves to be seen and heard that will inspire readers around the world and I'm in for the ride.
From an interview, the research and the personal experiences from the creator paint a beautiful painting about the daily life of a protagonist facing oppression and the struggle to live as their authentic self. There was a scene with a powerful graffiti spray paint mural that speaks volumes, making Ryo willing to try to grow and be open with others.
Jin is a character who is both a supportive friend and an ally Ryo needs. He shows the importance of communicating with someone you trust and to be honest with one another if you give them the chance. Ryo learns how to do the same for him no matter what differences they have. What they have in common is fashion and the purpose of using fashion as a way to express identity and individuality. Also, the minor characters such as teachers and students move me as they have their own aspirations while overcoming obstacles.
In addition, this manga is for those who are interested in street fashion, art, and design. The creator did a wonderful job illustrating the process of starting a brand, how every person in the team is essential for its success, and how to cause a riot :) I cannot wait for Volume 2!