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!

Ryuu is a transgender boy who is fighting to find his place in life, to not feel alone and to maybe find people who can understand him. This was such a heartwarming and refreshing story! Never read a manga that discussed this theme and seeing Ryuu forming a friendship with te new guy from his class and later on with another one that also feels completely alone...ah that was everything I needed on a rainy day. The found family feeling this gave me was so great.

An own voices manga dealing with identity, both personal and gender, with a fashion design focus as well? Sign me up!!t.
This is a great start to a series and honestly, I am excited to read the next volumes as they come out. Ryo is a great lead and his journey I can tell will be an interesting one and I want to see his friendship with Jin grow and develop. I will be honest I am usually one to focus on possible romance and this first volume plants seeds of maybe having some later on but it is the friendships Ryo is finding that really piques my interest.
I can see myself caring for these characters very deeply and will be on the edge of my seat until the next volume comes out!

My Rating: 4.5

This was a first for me, seeing the LGBTQ+ community represented well and actually tackling nowadays issues in a manga.

We follow Wakari that was born a girl but in the inside he knows that he's a boy. Wakari has difficulty to come out and explain what he feels to his friends and family so he tries to hide this from them.
Suddenly a new student arrives at school and he befriends Wakari and proposes him to start a business together, a fashion business. In a burst of anger Wakari confesses to Jin that he's actually a boy not a girl (and my heart just melted with happiness when Jin accepted this like it was no big deal). He keeps on referring to Wakari with the right pronouns (he/him) and is never once disrespectful to him.
It was also interesting to see how they came up with ideas for their business and their logo t-shirt was perfect, in my opinion.

I honestly can't wait for the release of the next volumes and I'm so happy to see representation in a manga.

I enjoyed this manga about a trans boy who feels out of place at school, where no-one knows he's trans and he has to wear a mask over his true self. I felt it ended a bit abruptly but I liked the characters and their characterisation. A lot of potential here.

This is the first volume in a new series following a transgender teen who feels like he can't show the world who he is and with help from a new classmate, learns to express himself through helping create a clothing brand.

I really loved the characters in this. Not only do we get to know Ryuu and his emotions, especially in relation to having to present as female in school, but we're getting to know his friendships with Jin and another student introduced near the end of the volume.

I love how real everyone feels, which is probably helped by this being an own voices story from the author. I also loved that there was an interview included in the back.

I can't wait to read more of this story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first LGBTQIA+ manga I've read, I've read LGBTQIA+ novels and I really enjoy them and reading the manga was a new and great experience. Boys Run The Riot is going to be one of those mangas I'll be looking forward to read in future.
It is about Ryo, a trans, who is fed up of people telling her to act more "lady-like" which pisses her more often, but she doesn't peak much about it. She likes to wear boys clothes and that is the way she feel normal. She tries not to attract too much attention to herself and stays in the grey.
Then come Jin, a repeater, he is like this jolly fun guy with a muscular build and with hairstyle and sunglasses, to sum up, he's like the bulb in a dark room, drawing all the attention. IF I were to say, then he's a little thick in the head about think-before-you-speak. But he is honest and isn't afraid to do what he believes in. Which makes him..."COOL".
Now the story is like, Jin finds Ryo in a clothing store (Boys Clothes) and he is happy to find out that Ryo and Jin has same taste in clothing. He offers her to partner with him to start a clothing brand of their own.With some ifs and buts and yes and nos, they finally start it. Ryo opens up to Jin about her sexuality which, surprisingly for Ryo, Jin takes in with respect. Their friendship grows and both of them acts like a unit.
I loved the plot of first volumes, good buildup, and comic and social awareness makes it a smartly written manga. The artwork is amazing, loved it. It is kinda bold and expressing which fits the story so good.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

One of the things that was so refreshing to see was the accurate portrayal of being trans in a manga. There's not a lot of positive trans rep in manga so having this was a huge bonus. I loved how real it felt; Ryo's struggles hit really close to home for me.
In addition, the character dynamics were stunningly portrayed. We got to see unlikely and often times comedic friendship, a character deal with letting go of a toxic friend and realising the consequences of their actions and much more.
The art style is really beautiful as well and it just adds a lot to the story. I hope everyone enjoys this manga as much as I did.

Wow! This manga felt so real and honest. It's an own voice manga about a teen who is not comfortable with how they present to the world. It's an engaging story about finding ways to express yourself and staying true to who you are.

I loved seeing different characters explore who they are, and also how to relate to each other. I really look forward to seeing how each character grows and develops.

I look forward to more people reading this manga and the conversations that emerge from it.

This book was everything I wanted and more, it focuses on Ryo and his journey as a transgender teen. He struggles with feeling like himself and feels very alone in the world as he doesn’t think people will understand who he is and wants to be. Then he meets Jin and they start a fashion brand together, this way Ryo is able to convey his struggles through fashion. This book truly warmed my heart and seeing Ryo struggles was really educational as someone who identifies as a CIA female. To understand how hard it is and how harmful it is for Ryo not to be able to be his true self was something I have never experienced but I got to understand it more through this manga which is something I’m very grateful for. Jin being there and supporting Ryo as a friend and a business partner was so heartwarming as him being there for Ryo was exactly what Ryo needed, to be seen as himself.

I really liked watching them set up their business together and I can’t wait to be able to how it progresses throughout the next volumes. Thank you so much for writing this book as there needs to be more books/mangas out there that people can see themselves in and the struggles they face so they can see themselves represented and know that they are never alone. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and I highly recommend it to everyone.