I received an Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of NetGalley and Kodansha Comics

I’ve been reading manga for years, and the amount of trans characters let alone trans main characters found in them is virtually non-existent. The fact that both the author and main character of Boys Run the Riot are trans is amazing and makes the story seem so much more heartfelt and authentic. Also props to the all trans US localization team, I’m just so in awe that this book was able to bring so many transgender people together.

As a trans man myself, I related so much to Ryo, our struggles in life were very similar. I was a tomboy during my youth and primarily had male friends which made me the target for teasing, although my experiences have never been to the degree that Ryo faces at school.

I love that this book centers about fashion, specifically men’s fashion. It feels like men’s fashion is often left out in media such as movies and Tv shows that depict fashion designers. What I wear is very important to me and most trans people I know.

This book is monumental and I can’t wait to see what other gender identities are explored in volume 2.

This is brimming with great characters, incredible (fashion) art, and some serious heart.


I struggle to put into words how much I loved reading this manga.
It starts the story of a transgender boy as he starts a fashion brand and that's really all you need to know - you should experience the rest yourself. The feelings of uncertainty and his fear of discovery are evident in every single page without feeling voyeuristic.
The routine is shaken up when new student Jin joins his class who has his own aspirations and a persuasive personality since he strongarms Ryo into his new business venture.
I can already tell this will turn into a beautiful friendship. It is clear there is plenty more to explore and more backstory to uncover. We just started to get an insight into who Ryo might be when he doesn't have to conform to a gendered fashion style. And as we are introduced to more characters, and the brand starts to take more shape, I was already in love with these characters. I cannot wait for the next volume.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by both the art and the story. Definitely worth reading.

A manga about being trans by a trans mangaka? YES PLEASE!

I LOVED everything about this book from the gorgeous art style to the fleshed out characters to the plot. The book is centered around a very serious thing, but while there are some dark moments, it's otherwise rather lighthearted. The story is honest, heart-felt, evocative, emotional, and powerful. As a transman myself, the immediate acceptance and affirmation of Ryo's transgender identity by his new classmate, Jin, brought me to tears.

The themes of self-worth and self-discovery are so important in this book because they really reflect the struggles that transgender people face when coming to terms with their identity, coming out, transitioning, and simply existing in a cis-normative world. The book also touches on gender dysphoria, binders, and mental health. There's a delightful found-family aspect as well (which will always be my jam)

This isn't a fast-paced book; instead, it has a steady flow, allowing for the careful explanation and exploration of Ryo's mindset, his feelings, and his own exploration of his identity. Each chapter ends on a highly impactful moment. It was impossible to put this book aside.

I'm really excited for book 2 which I already pre-ordered!

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Boys Run the Riot, by Keito Gaku (Translated by Leo McDonagh)
★★★★★
246 Pages


WOW!
This story is incredibly smart, real, honest, and quietly powerful. A manga about a transgender teen, FTM, written by a transgender #ownvoice writer? I knew the instant I read the blurb and saw that STUNNING cover that I had to read it. The way Ryuu was drawn half in uniform, half in street clothes, and how Jin was quietly in the background, made it an incredibly powerful cover from the start.

Ryuu begins the story as very inwardly self-expressive, but outwardly suppressed by societal norms. Leaving the house in his school uniform – a girl's uniform, that makes me instantly feel uncomfortable – he secretly changes on his way to school and makes excuses for the tracksuit he wears all day.
Then Jin arrives at school. A senior who has been held back, Jin is everything NO-ONE in this story wants to be. An outlier. Different. Yet, he's also everything they WANT to be: confident, self-expressive, unafraid and openly himself.

As the story progresses, Jin quietly pushes his way into Ryuu's life through friendship and sharing experiences. They become friends, and Ryuu begins to open up. Learning not to be afraid of himself. Learning how to fight back against a world that doesn't accept him for who he is. Jin is the first person in the whole world who doesn't judge Ryuu, who doesn't force him to be the girl he was born as, and who accepts him for who he really is. Like any friends who don't know much about each other, they fight. But that fight is BEAUTIFUL! And, no, I'm not crazy. Because it's that first fight that has Ryuu screaming his truth and Jin quietly accepting it.

For me, that moment between Ryuu and Jin was perhaps the most powerful of the entire book. With Ryuu standing up and speaking his truth, loud and clear. Jin accepting it, admitting he doesn't understand and probably never will, but that he *wants* to understand.

There is also a really, really stunning piece of graffiti Ryuu leaves, in that scene, but I won't share it because of copyright etc. However, the art is simply MIND-BLOWING! The image of a man breaking free, unzipping himself from the girl he lives within. And that's exactly what I mean by quietly powerful. Because, though Ryuu's story is about both becoming confident, coming out as trans, and accepting himself, while becoming a designer for this new brand that is so risky...the story is also about self-acceptance in general. It's about friendship. Love, and not the romantic kind. Supporting others and being supported. Telling your truth, and having people accept it, listen, and not judge you for it.

The story touches upon some sensitive themes – gender dysphoria, coming out, acceptance, self-worth, self-discovery, the use of binders, as well as touching upon bullying and depression – but it does so with quiet confidence, understanding and sympathy. It never pushes an agenda, or a theme, with force. It just lets them sit quietly in this life of Ryuu and Jin, so that you FEEL and EXPERIENCE those struggles in their daily life, as they come together as friends and business partners.

For me, how the story was constructed and allowed to breathe is one of the reasons it was such a success for me. As well as the stunning, mature art style that let the characters be individuals and show their personalities freely.

I'll be waiting for Volume 2.

~

FAVOURITE QUOTE
“It's okay if the only one who knows the real me...is me.”

Thanks to #Netgalley and Kodansha comics for making this beautiful book available to me.

At the start of this book, we are introduced to our main character Ryuu. Ryuu is a high school student who has always fiercely tried to live as a boy in a world in which he is boxed as a girl. Ryuu is a transgender teen who has never been able to confide in anyone about his dilemma not that anyone around him would actually understand. Ryuu has always taken comfort and expressed himself with the clothes he wears. Once he is out of school and walking the streets he feels more human and genuinely happier.

Then in comes Jin Sato a student who had been away from school for a while and was placed in her class. At first sight, she immediately boxes him based on his appearance (which I have to say was quite hypocritical of him, but we all live to learn). An encounter between them pulls them closer and Ryuu begins to open up to Jin. Jin is accepting and understanding. They both decide to start a fashion brand (let named, Boys Run The Riot), a brand that is accepting and open to all. Once they are set in their idea, other characters begin to join in. Itsuka Todo joins their group as a photographer. Itsuka has always been bullied by people he called friends. When he saw Jin and Ryuu talk about their plans he began to hope with them.

This book was very interesting to read. The artwork was simply fantastic. Ryuu has a character that is so multidimensional and you can tell that he is a character that has been well thought about, well researched or simply built from one's experience. I cannot wait to see how their journey plays out!

Very uplifting and energetic story! Ryo has always preferred men's fashion but has become rather ostracized since his classmates see him as a female (his gender at birth). When Jin, who by all appearances looks like a delinquent, joins the class Ryo finally finds an ally. With their passion for men's fashion they decide to make their own clothing label and Jin doesn't care what gender Ryo presents himself as, as long they can do it in style together.

I’m not the biggest fan of graphic novels, comics, and manga, but I regularly find myself pulled toward them. There have been a handful I have really enjoyed, and I keep hoping to find more. Boys Run the Riot was one that left me with hope.

I’ll be honest and say this one had me somewhat conflicted. It was a quick and enjoyable story, one I happily devoured in a single sitting. Although I enjoyed it and would like to see where things go, I never quite felt the connection to the characters that I had hoped to experience. I think the main reason for this is that a lot of aspects were introduced with this one, yet most of them did not receive the level of attention I would have liked. I would have liked more depth and fewer things to have been looked at.

Although it didn’t quite have the depth I prefer, it was an enjoyable quick read that certainly has me curious what else happens.

An OwnVoices manga following Ryo, a transgender high-schooler as he navigates the difficulties of his peers at school not knowing his true identity. Ryo tries to keep to himself, until new student Jin convinces him to help start a fashion brand.

Jin is confident and doesn't seem to care what others say about him; Ryo doesn't know how he does it. Starting the fashion brand, the two strike up a friendship. Jin accepting Ryo's true gender identity. For Ryo and Jin, fashion is a way to express themselves and they hope to show that through their brand.

Looking foreward to seeing how things develope in the next volume.

Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanna thank Netgalley and the author for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Boys run the riot is a manga about three young boys that want to make their dream come true by being themselves and showing the world that they are capable of anything if they follow their dreams.

I don’t really have much to say here, this was cool, and I love it, especially one of the main characters being Trans, and telling us what he feels makes everything very interesting, also this manga is full of drama so I love it a lot and enjoyed my time reading it, even though I am a little busy I took some hours to read it and it was so pretty and I loved it, I loved the graphics and the story, I would totally read the second volume when it comes out.


I don’t really have a lot to say, this was a very fast reading and fascinating, and I will give it some 4.5 stars if it’s possible, and this was such great hours.

I want to remind everyone that this is my own opinion, and that everyone could think differently about anything.

Very raw and real, a story about being able to express yourself and be yourself, regardless of what others think and how weird they label you. I adore the art style, and am very excited to see where this story goes as their brand grows and they help inspire more people to follow their dreams!!

thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this e-book!
this volume of Boys Run the Riot follows a trans teen through the anxieties and problems high school creates for him. he begins to use fashion and art as an outlet for how he feels.
this is a heartwarming book with a trans mc (much needed!) and shows strong and supportive friendships develop between new characters. the writing was very good and the art was a lovely style. the comic followed a realistic and interesting storyline making it a very easy read! overall the book was a delight to read, i did not give it 5 stars just because some page layouts didn’t flow that well but mostly it was good! the story felt personal and in touch with my feelings which helped create strong bongs to the characters in the book.
i would recommend this book to people who enjoyed Sasha Masha and On a Sunbeam

Boys Run the Riot is a manga about Ryo, a trans man, and his budding friendship/partnership with new student Jin. When Jin asks Ryo to form a clothing line together, Ryo struggles with his shame, hiding who he really is, and developing the courage to stand up strong in making their brand.

With quotes like "No shame in my game," and "We're just doing it to bite back at the world, society, convention, and our own lives", Boys Run the Riot reflects real struggles of understanding yourself, understanding others, and accepting that your differences are amazing and not shameful. Ryo and Jin's friendship is a wonderful display of the effect having even one friend to accept you can make.

I'm so happy that this book (and this series) exists.
This is volume 1 in a series about Ryo, a sophmore in high school who is transman. He is struggling with gender dysphoria and has no support system. But as he struggles to be himself inspite of how others treat him, he finds support from an unlikely ally, the new transfer student, Jin. Together they set out to start their own clothing line, trying to live as freely as they can while chasing their dreams.
I am so happy to see more positive trans stories! Especially with a transman as the main character! This was very well done primarily because gender dysphoria was depicted very well. Did I mention how the art is just AMAZING?!

this the first main character transgender in manga tha I have ever read.

it was an interesting insight into the character's life and his experiences at school. Ryo is a trans boy but he hasn't come out to anyone And now he also deals with all the issues of a teenager at his age: school, bullying, parents, etc.
Then we meet Sato a character whose criminal appearance does not reflect who he really is and there is Itsuka antoher friend with conflicts about his role in life.

The art was great, It's more realistic than I thought it would be, and is perfect for my taste.
overall it was a good read.

Thanks to netgally for the free copy.

Okay, I have had sufficient time to let this marinate. Actually, I ended up getting sick this weekend, but, whatever, I am ready to tell everyone about this!!!

I love it so much!!! But first of all, can we all admit that at one point or another, everyone feels awkward or feels like they have to pretend they’re someone they’re not?? Especially in high school?!?! Second, can we say that those who experience high school as a transitioning teen has been made to feel even more awkward and like they have to hide who they are?!?! This graphic novel is about Ryo, a teen who is transitioning, and unfortunately is totally unsupported.

Enter Jin, a dude who is just cool. Head to toe, is a very real character. And by that, I mean he doesn’t fall into high school traps of who’s popular or who he should hang out with or how he or anyone else should act. I love him and everything he stands for and how he brings out other characters.

Sometimes, being yourself is hard and it helps to have a person or a group of friends who have your back. Not to tell you who you are, but to stand with you when you decide to stand for yourself. I think that’s a strong message that is very well portrayed in this book.

Can I gush about the art?!?! I love it!!! The use of clothing is really great here and I adore how it brings out the group. I don’t want to get all spoilery, but it’s some pretty awesome clothing. Especially closer to the end.

So basically I love this graphic novel as a whole and I can’t wait to see where the series will go from here!!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely amazing! Really captures the teenage emotions of trying to find their place in the world versus being accepted by their peers. Although this has LGBTQIA representation (which was bloody brilliant and on point), any and all readers could identify with this powerful story of a group of boys taking charge of their destiny.

This was the start of a seemingly great manga. The main characters are heartfelt and intriguing and you just want to root for them as they figure out themselves and navigate through life. Even as they gather more people you consider "misfits" to join their little crew, it's remarkable to watch them grow and become stronger together. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Also this is one of the few main character transgender mangas I have ever read and I appreciate that.

Really charming and uplifting. It was great to see the topics of LGBT, fashion, and gender identity explored in manga. Each chapter ended with a big impactful moment too, hooking me more on the story.

I will love seeing how this series grows and am already hoping for an anime adaptation.

The interview included at the end was cool too. I always love little bonus features included in collected volumes.

Looking forward to Volume 2!

--
Also shared my praise on twitter -

Trigger warnings: bullying, transphobia, violence.
Boys Run the Riot is very different from what I expected when seeing the cover and reading the synopsis. There are lighthearted and inspiring moments, but it is also full of dark moments that made me sad, frustrated, and mad.
Ryo is a trans boy but he hasn't come out to anyone. It's heart-wrenching to read that he feels so lonely and out of place. Also, he has to deal with the unhealthy environment of high school, bullying from his colleagues, the girls' uniform, and his mom that keeps asking why he only "dresses like a boy". He finds in fashion and graffiti a way to express his true self and there are very emotional in which he talks about that!
The other main character, Sato, is a new student in Ryo's class. His appearance makes people think that he is a "delinquent" and "troublemaker", but he is the most friendly character of this story. He is very supportive when Ryo comes out as trans to him and it is a beautiful scene! He's funny and he's the cause of many hilarious and lighthearted scenes.
Ryo and Sato bond over their love for fashion and decide to start a fashion brand together! I was interested in Japanese street fashion when I was younger, so it was cool to see this theme in a manga. Ryo and Sato's friendship become stronger as they develop their first t-shirt and I loved to see their interactions and mutual support.
There's one more character that becomes part of the gang to the end of this volume, Itsuka. He's a member of the photography club and Ryo and Jin ask him to take some pictures of the first t-shirt they created. Itsuka has a lot of internal conflicts, he feels like an outsider but he is a part of the popular kids' group. And by helping Ryo And Jin, he's befriending the "weird people". Itsuka's arc goes more on the topic of high school dynamics and family relationships.
About the art, except when I read horror manga, I usually read cute and fluffy manga, so I was surprised by the art of this one. The screentone is very dark in the characters, character's clothes and it's heavily used in the background. This characteristic and the art that is more on the realistic side give this manga a more dark and serious atmosphere. And there are very dark moments, but also very cute ones! I think this is not the art style I would usually go for, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the next volumes.
At the end of this first edition, there's a bonus part with an interview with the mangaka. He's a trans man and he was inspired by his own experiences to write Ryo. We usually don't know much information about mangakas, so it's interesting to read about his own experiences and opinions on art!
Overall, there're lighthearted, emotional, and dark scenes in this manga. Ryo's struggles seemed realistic but it can be distressing to read, so be aware of the trigger warnings. It's a manga about school and family dynamics, bullying, friendship, and expressing yourself even with hardships. I loved it and I'm excited to read more about Ryo and Sato! If you're looking for a more realistic manga about coming of age with a focus on friendship, I highly recommend Boys Run The Riot!]

This was such a good manga!! When I heard that this was about a trans main character written by a trans author, I knew that I had to pick this one up and it didn’t disappoint! The rep in here was so real, it hit deep and really resonated with me. I hope it resonates with cis people too, that they can see how it really is for trans kids everywhere.

We follow Ryuu as he is dealing with being trans in high school and having to deal with his schools expectations, his peers judgement and what he really wants to do. He wants to dress in “boy” clothes and is out shopping one day when he runs into the new kid in his class. The boy, Jin, asks Ryuu if he wants to create a clothing brand with him because they have similar style and it goes from there.

The found family aspects in this were so cute! Seeing Ryuu opening up to Jin and Jin being so accepting was great to see. It was nice to see Ryuu become more confident, to see him accept himself more and to slowly realize that what he wants matters and isnt pointless. That he can make a change in this world and sometimes that means doing it with friends. Jin standing up for him!!!!!!

I loved that as the story progressed, Ryuu and Jin collected more misfits into their group. I hope they find more people to join them in volume 2! Watching them and their clothing brand bloom will be so heartwarming!

I adored this manga and I can’t wait to read more. Check this one out!!

4/5 ⭐️