If I had to summarize this manga, I would say that Boys run the riot is a story about learning to be yourself, and finding the confidence to do it without the opinion of others, nor their expectations or pressures, influencing how you present yourself to the world and how you relate to others.

Ryuu is a teenage trans boy who has always felt that he doesn't fit in; therefore, he lives alone, without being able or wanting to talk to anyone about whom he really is, or how he feels. That is why Ryuu tries to go unnoticed in his High School, existing apart from those around him. Only through art and clothing can Ryuu feel like himself, truly showing who he is, but only in the anonymity that the city streets give him.

Everything changes when a new student arrives to his classroom, Jin. Jin is not a good student, he is repeating a grade, and has a rebellious / bad boy aura that makes people judge him without daring to know him. But Jin absolutely does not care about what others think and say about him. He has a dream, to create a clothing brand, and he is willing to do anything to pursue it. Thus, when Jin unexpectedly bumps into Ryuu in a clothing store, he ends up convincing him to work together and create a brand.

The relationship between the two begins with mistrust, Ryuu is too used to going unnoticed, but little by little they begin to forge a friendship where they can be themselves and there is no one to judge them. Just like that, Jin and Ryuu star working together to make their dream of creating a successful clothing brand come true: "Boys run the riot". And along the way they will find new friends and new enemies but, most importantly, they will find themselves.

The manga, as you can imagine, deals with issues related to adolescence and high school life, friendships, identity and relationships; all this in a very real way and with which it is very easy to feel identified.

Adolescence is not an easy time for anyone. And I imagine that even less if you are a trans boy or girl, or a person who goes beyond what is considered "normal". At the end of the day, it is a time when you are still trying to find who you are. However, it seems that the world is not willing to wait for you to find yourself. Instead, it insists on fitting you into certain categories, which it seems like you have to accept if you want to fit in. But that could not be further from the truth.

It is not easy to be true to yourself and show yourself like this to others, since you are also showing yourself to their looks, their judgments and their whispers. It is not easy to talk to others about your concerns or your problems, it is not easy to express your feelings, it is not easy to want to fit in but feel that you cannot. And that's why stories like Boys run the riot are so necessary. They show that aspect of reality, yes, but, at the same time, they also present a hopeful message that, without being naïve, prompts us to put aside our fears, our shame and our regrets. Not everyone is going to accept us, not everyone is going to respect or love us, but it is only up to us to decide how we want to live our life. And for this, it is vital to have people who support you, listen to you and help you to be a better person, as in the case of the protagonists of this story. I wish I could be like Jin, and don't give a damn about what other people think; or meet someone like Ryuu along the way, with his energy and his way of expressing himself through art. Hopefully we'll never have to give up and, despite adversities, we'll be able to live free and happy.



*This review is a translation of a text originally written in Spanish, sorry if there are any errors.

We don’t see a lot of representation for the Transgender community in manga, I will say this one definitely changes that, in a spectacular positive way.

I enjoyed how our main character faces challenges, that we see in depth, and how he overcomes them. I feel when covering subjects like these it shouldn’t be sugarcoated, I feel like we should be able to see the tough times as well. This would especially be good for those who are facing similar battles, whom may relate. They deserve to have a main character overcome and triumph.


Boys The Run The Riot is about a young transgender male named Ryo, who spends his life with his head down, quiet, trying his best to keep his true self hidden. To him, life is easier that way, especially after his childhood friend turns on him after rumors spread they’re dating. You see Ryo is not out about who he truly is, so he hides himself. He’s always been known hang with the guys and found the “one of the boys” label to be the closest way to being accepted as a guy, but when that was shattered he’s back to keeping his head down.

He meets the amazing Jin, the new student in their class, who stands out, appearance wise and for being held back a year. This manga showcases those deemed “outcasts” as they band together to form a fashion brand and truly let their true selves fly!

I really enjoyed this first volume and cannot wait for the second, I’m rooting for all the characters to achieve their goals, dreams, and gain the confidence and happiness they deserve.


Thank you to Net Galley and The publishers for allowing me to review this wonderfully done manga!

Gaku has created something really special here, something that is worth reading -- if only because it feels like the start of a great story. Lots to unpack but, at its core, it is a story about figuring out who you are and where you fit in. Fashion and clothing are used as a springboard for the main character to get more comfortable in his own life. To be proud. Art is fantastic.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this manga!

When I saw a tweet about this book, I instantly added it to my tbr and requested on NG. The premise sounded so good and I’m always looking for more own voices trans rep, especially graphic novels/comics/manga!

I really enjoyed this one. I absolutely loved the friendship element and how fashion is such a big focus. There were a few things I didn’t love, but overall a great manga and I can’t wait to read the next volume!

This manga genuinely made me so happy. It was so refreshing to read something with a transgender mc. The representation was amazing and written very well. The characters are fantastic and their friendships as well. This was such a heartwarming read. I 100% recommend this book!

Thank you to netgalley and kodansha comics for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've never read a manga with a transgender main character before and I loved the story line! It was super gripping, easy to follow & left me wanting more!

Really liked this one and I think it shows the future of manga. I think this is a must have for teen sections everywhere in libraries and I will be purchasing it for my own!

I love this book.

First of all, you don't seem many tranmen as main characters. As such, we get to see a lot of the issues specific to the transmale experience such as guy friends dumping you because "I can't be friends with a girl!"

Second of all, the bros are such good bros! I am all kinds of here for strong non toxic male friendships, and the way Ryo came out to Jin was perfection. Love to see it. (Bonus: the girls basketball coach is an honorary bro for being such a good).

Third, No Shame In My Game. As a signature logo and starter shirt, it's great and fits perfectly into the streetwear genre. As a saying and theme, I love it even more. There should be no shame in your game, Ryo!

This is a fantastic story of learning to be one's true self through art and friendship. Ryo is a transgender high school student, who has lived to a long time trying to float under the radar. Societal expectations at his high school are for students to blend in and conform, but through his friendship and burgeoning fashion brand with Jin, he learns that being himself is much happier. The two friends also invite Itsuka into their venture, where he learns to stand up for himself and his art, photography.

This volume gave me a lot of feelings. Even as an adult I still struggle with ideas about "fitting in" to gender conventions and societal expectations. We all need a Jin in our lives to push us outside our comfort zones. These areas, called raw edges by scholar Annaleise Singh, are areas for growth. High school in and of itself is a raw edge, but some people choose not to grow. I look forward to seeing how the other characters in the story grow in the next volume. There are hints that Ryo may find romance in the next volume, and eventually he will likely come out to his family and at school, whereas for now he is only out to Jin.

I loved the combination of fashion, graffiti and photography as different but complementary art forms. One panel in the book includes graffiti art integrated into Gaku's own art, and the affect is phenomenal.

I would recommend everyone read this book. It doesn't require much, if any, knowledge of reading manga. As long as you remember to read the dialogue right to left, you'll be fine. If you are trans, LGBTQ, or an ally, or someone trying to figure out what you are, this book is for you. It's the kind of story that makes a reader grow alongside the characters.

Digital arc provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

It's Queer and it SLAPS!!

"You're a waste of a pair of balls" is probably my new favorite insult by far.

While I don't know if I personally will continue with Boys Run the Riot. (I probably will because my partner is super excited to read this) I honestly loved this manga volume from start to finish.

This is the first manga, I have picked up with a Trans character, in it and not knowing Keito Gaku beforehand I was a little worried about what to expect in this book. But I was incorrect in having that worry.

Ryo is an awesome main character and watching him grow throughout this volume as he finds friends who support him for who he truly is, as well as his capabilities. And watching him find empowerment through that is amazing,

This book also has some great Allies as well., especially Jin.

I would recommend this wholeheartedly, because along with some really heartfelt moments it will have you laughing.

thank u, netgalley and kodansha comics for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

'boys run the riot' is a story about a teenage trans boy who only feels comfortable in his 'street clothes'. this manga did a great job at representing the trans community!

ryuu hates his school uniform because he has to wear a skirt. he often clashes with his classmates as they treat him like a girl; even though they are 'nice' to him, on the surface, the girls treat him like one of their own when he feels so isolated from them, and the boys refuses to hang out with him because 'he's a girl'.

i just LOVED the manga! i loved the storyline, AND the art style! and i loved ryuu and jin's friendship. jin is such a great ally! wholly supportive of ryuu and pushes him to start their own clothing brand! it's great to see ryuu being comfortable with himself around others! it refreshingly stands out against his timid and uncomfortable self when he was with his classmates before he came out to jin.

it was such a heartwarming read and the ending!!!! i NEED the next volume NOW!!!!!!!!

ps. i SUPER love the name of their brand IT'S SO COOL

cw: transphobia, bullying, gender diaspora, misgendering

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this manga. It was so refreshing to read a trans manga. I liked the characters, and Ryo and Jin had a fun dynamic that I couldn't help but root for. I am not a huge contemporary fan but I would read the next installments when they are translated.

This was really cool! I love the diversity, and how unique Boys Run the Riot is! The whole fashion brans thing is also very intriguing. I look forward to the next volume!

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

This manga is definitely something that I haven’t come across with. I rarely see any transgender representation whenever I read LGBT mangas, especially FTM. This manga is about a trans-guy who becomes friend with a rebel looking guy as they shared the same passion and love for fashion; and because of it, they started their own brand. I honestly love this manga, especially the art style! I rarely see an art style that entice me, but this manga, delivered it to me! I just adore Ryo and it hurts me that he struggles so much because he felt trapped and in his clothes and own body.

This manga speaks volume, especially the nuances of how our society expects us to be what they wants us to be, and the restrictions on our right to choose how we express ourselves.

I really recommend this to everyone and I’d like to read the next volume of this manga.

I appreciate why a manga by an Own Voices trans author about a trans teen is so important and valuable. Unfortunately I just really struggled with an awkwardness that I feel probably mostly comes down to a lot of cultural context and language flow getting lost in translation. The characters speak in a halting, self conscious way that doesn't feel natural. Their interactions often feel a bit strange, with large reactions abrupt and sudden.

I found it a bit odd that literally the first thing Jin says to Ryo is "let's start a brand". There's no build up of friendship or interaction first, so it just seems weird to me? Then the whole idea that starting a small online brand would be so controversial just... doesn't really translate so well for me.

How did they manage to make a whole website without thinking of a name for the brand?? What's the web address then? That makes no sense. Also, the word "riot" is given two definitions and neither of them are correct for the English word "riot" so that's a bit confusing.

Also, given the story is about a trans character, there were a couple of instances of gender stereotyping language that really bothered me. Saying a boy was "a waste of a pair of balls", and that his "balls finally dropped" to indicate he gained some courage leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. Both of those raise having male genitalia up as being superior and I'm uncomfortable with that. It felt very out of place here.

I see that a lot of other people have enjoyed this and I understand why it's important. But to me the flow just wasn't there and the putting of "balls" on a pedestal annoyed me. I'm unsure how much of this was a translation issue, but I can only review what I experienced, and that was the English version as it stands.

This is the first graphic novel I have tried, and at this point I’m not sure if I like them or not, but I will try others before I make that decision.
I found the story interesting as I enjoy stories based around people who live in the margins of society because they are either not accepted or the don’t feel that they fit in.
The two lead characters are well developed and easy to engage with too.
Overall this was an enjoyable story to read and I would recommend it to fans of graphic novels.

Boys Run the Riot is a breath of fresh air compared to the manga/graphic novels I've been reading lately, while still having substance. Our protagonist is trying to be his true self but is well aware of the limits of society, particularly with the Japanese saying "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down" that frames Ryo's struggle and Jin's business idea. This first volume sets up the story very nicely, especially with the line "Living freely also comes with sacrifices." The art is also excellent, featuring street art and street fashion, with the featured art properly credited at the end of the volume. I'm looking forward to the next volumes.

Wow! This manga is so incredibly powerful! Though I am not an own voices reviewer for this particular story, I can truly see the power behind the story being told here.

If you would like my more in depth feelings about this title, please check out this review vlog! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vAlr5I5CE

Trans main character-we love to see it! This was a great start to what I'm sure is going to be an amazing story. I really loved all of the characters and how they try to understand each other. It was so nice to see an trans main character in a manga, I wish we would have more rep like that, it would help so many people.. I very much look forward to reading the rest of the volumes.

There is a full length review forthcoming on my site, MangaLibrarian.com and on my YouTube Channel! I go in depth on my analysis there.