I liked this! The pacing was a bit messy at times, and I think certain thing could've been re-ordered, such as the introduction of the friends in the beginning instead of the middle, that would improve the flow. But overall I liked it! Will definitely be recommending to my followers who like manga.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

Boys Run The Riot is about a transgender guy who meets a new friend at school who is a year older, in the same class and has a love for fashion. Throughout this volume, their friendship is explored just like how their brand and fashion is. There is some misgendering within this but it is because no one except Ryo and Jin knows that he is trans. I thought this was really well done and I can't wait to read more.
Rating: 3.5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes

Wow, this was good.

I haven’t read many manga series with trans rep, and the nuance these characters have felt real and genuine. Focusing on a group of kids starting a fashion brand, we see their struggles with identity, self expression, and following your passion against societal pressure.

What’s great about this series is not only the rep, but the friendship that develops between Ryo and Jin, two very different people who share a common passion for fashion and clothing. They both struggle with their classmates perception of them, with Jin being seen as a rebellious teen, but is actually a sweet and outgoing guy, and Ryo trying to vocalise his feelings of gender dysphoria. It was great seeing them open up to each other, and seeing their passion for clothing give them inspiration and happiness.

This manga says a lot about societal expectations and their restrictions on peoples’ freedom of expression and forcing them to conform. We see this with Itsuka, who dreams of being a photographer, a passion his father once shared, but gave up on. Even he buckles under the pressure, before he finds the support of his friends and family to pursue his craft.

This series is starting off wonderfully, with promise for more interesting characters who will hopefully have a bigger role in the next volume. The art is beautiful and expressive, and I can’t wait for more.

Am I crying? Yes. Absolutely. This manga deals with being trans and wanting to be yourself (while dealing with things the world and others throw at you) with such sensitivity and realism it's hard to not feel touched, personally relating to the protagonist Ryo or not.

This edition has 7 chapters and an interview with the author Keito Gaku, who is trans (which actually got my attention at first for this manga, since it's not only hard to find good LGBT-themed manga, but especially with trans authors), as well as translation notes.

Ryo is a trans boy in high school, dealing with uniform rules and the pressure of hiding himself from his friends, while finding a way to express his true self through fashion. That's how he first interacts with the new boy in class, Jin, who then asks Ryo to start a fashion brand when he sees they share the same interest and how Ryo expresses his individuality with graffiti art.

I really loved how they connected and how open Jin was to Ryo when Ryo came out to him, showing he wants to understand and get to know Ryo, and showing he does get it that they're different, but that doesn't mean it's bad. They go on with the fashion brand and use it as a way to stand out more - since they're already different, and feel like they don't fit in, might as well take full advantage of that. Their friendship is very lovely, and I really want to read more of them getting closer, and going on with their goals, just as much as I want to see Ryo finding more acceptance with more people, and with himself as well.

The art itself isn't "pretty" (like how we see in shoujo manga usually, for example), but it's really well done and full of details, and I feel like the author showed well in the characters' faces how they felt, and the graffiti pages were really amazing.

It's emotional and very relatable honestly, and I can only thank Keito Gaku for Boys Run the Riot. While the manga is centered around a trans protagonist, I think anyone who's ever felt like they didn't fit in, or couldn't express their true self or pursue their passion, would be able to see themselves reflected here, and enjoy it a lot.

In ‘Boys Run The Riot’ we meet our main protagonist, Ryo. At first glance Ryo is perceived as a tomboy by his classmates and everyone around him, but in actuality he is a man born inside of a woman’s body.
Not feeling like he can be himself, he hides his identity to avoid being an outcast. The only time Ryo feels confident and truly himself is when he wears his favorite clothes.

Then we are introduced to Jin, a new student in Ryo’s class who appears to be rough around the edges. In actuality Jin is a pretty nice guy but seems to be somewhat of a troublemaker and has no problem standing out. He is exact opposite of Ryo.

An unlikely but beautiful friendship forms between the two of them as the share a similar style and a passion for clothing. Ever the optimist, Jin urges Ryo to start a clothing brand with him.

In this first volume we learn about both Ryo and Jin and how society treats those who are different. I really appreciated that Jin was really a cool guy and became someone that Ryo could call confide in and even look up to. He might not be able to 100% understand what Ryo is going through but he tries. I hope that Ryo can one day live freely.

Included at the end is a wonderful Q&A with the author that I definitely recommend that you read.

Overall the story and art are strong. ‘Boys Run The Riot’ volume 1 is a must read!!!! I will definitely be keeping up with this series.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha.

This is an absolutely fantastic translation. I am very impressed by the entire team on this I think they did a great job. The art is fantastic the cover of the English edition is absolutely beautiful. The characters are all really great I especially love the dynamic between Ryo and Jin and I'm really looking forward to how they expand their fashion brand

This manga is the best I've read in months. We met Ryo, a boy living in a girl's body. He's a transgender and his life is a bit complicated. When you are a teenager and you can't tell anyone how you're feeling and who are you, it's a very hard life. But all changes when Jin comes to school. The two boys have the same same taste in clothing, so Jin decides to start a new brand with Ryo.
This manga is so cool. It hooks you since the first page and the story is amazing. The process of creation the brand, the development of the friendship and the wonderful characters, make this story a must read.
Ryo is so strong and cool. Jin is a nice guy and he follows his dream. I loved the first volume and I want more!!! Great story!! Thanks so much, Netgalley to give the opportunity to read this manga.

This is my first manga by Keito Gaku, but it was so incredible, and I look forward to more from him! And I'm definitely looking forward to the continuation of this manga.

I was immediately intrigued because rarely can I find manga starring trans protagonists, and especially synopses that clearly state that the protagonist is trans. I really enjoyed Ryo's story and especially his developing friendship with Jin and Itsuka; Jin's acceptance of Ryo saying he's a boy and the way they work together to design and develop their brand is wonderful to see.

I also really like the art style. It's really beautiful and the faces are all distinguishable and I love how expressive the art is.

All around this was an excellent start to a story of a trans teen starting a fashion brand and developing new friendships around that brand. I really enjoyed this, and cannot wait for the next volume! I'm also especially excited to see more of Tsubasa, a genderqueer character who's introduced in the last pages!

This was a cute story with nice art about a transgender Japanese teen who is an outcast for blurring gender lines who starts a clothing brand with another outcast. It had a nice message and it was really cool to read a manga with a trans male main character. I think there should be some kind of disclaimer in the book about the safety risks of chest binding with ace bandages like Ryo does though, as it is something that can break ribs and have lasting affects on trans bodies.

This manga is absolutely phenomenal. Halfway through Vol. 1,, I stopped and preordered all 4 volumes from my favorite indie and that's not something do often with authors I haven't read before until I'm at least 3/4 volumes in or on their third or fourth book.
Trans kids need to see themselves being loved and supported now more than ever even if it's only by a couple of special peers and so do all kids who draw outside the lines, who look different, who act differently, who would rather be themselves than worry about fitting in. Hell, adults need it too - I didn't let myself START to do that until I was in my 40s but maybe, if I'd had a book like BOYS RUN THE RIOT, I'd have been happier a little bit - or a lot - younger.
I like the simpler art and the restrained dialogue as well. It suits the story's focus on character interaction and development. On the fact that whole what's inside is in turmoil, what plays out is considered and deliberate and important.
I can't wait to read more.

Boys run the riot is coming of age story that follows Ryu. He is a young trans male who is trying to come to terms with his own gender as well as trying to be himself in an environment who doesn't know how to deal with someone who is different. We see this in multiple occasions, many characters are questioned and demanded to be more normal, the word weird is the biggest insult that you can see in the text and it is often said with a lot disgust. The story captivated me from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading it. It is interesting to see these kind of experiences from a non-western perspective and in Manga form. I loved the creative elements of this book as well as the art. I also think it is really interesting to see how the different characters react to his identity, showing the challenge of being a good ally whilst trying to fit in. One of my favourite things is how his friend ask him to share with him what he is going through, to challenge him and his ideas, because he can grow and learn. Never assume that you are going to be discriminated when someone is showing interest.

I would like to also highlight the power of fashion / gender performance into gender acceptance and the journey that our characters go through to feel comfortable in their own skin. The friendships in this book are simply precious. It is rare to find stories that do not uniquely focus on romantic love but I do believe this is essential. Growing up is also about finding your people and building your own family, which is key in many Queer experiences.

I would highly recommend this book.

I'd not read a huge amount of manga before this, however I was aware that the trans experience in Japan (particularly for trans men) is underrepresented. I was intrigued the moment I read the blurb.
The artwork in Boys Run The Riot is gorgeous (the graffiti scene in particular, which Keito Gaku lists as one of his own favourite frames, is really powerful).
I liked the use of fashion as a form of expression and also self discovery for Ryo. I found the depiction of his inner-battle between showing himself and his personality, and wanting to blend in to the crowd, very insightful.
I really appreciated the interview and translation notes at the end - both for the added context, and as a bit of a linguistics nerd who is currently studying Japanese.
I'm keen to read Volume 2 when it's available.

This manga took to very unique ideas and put them together. I haven’t read any manga that focus on transgender issues or that focus on the process of creating a brand from scratch. I liked that the lgbtq issues were portrayed in a realistic light. I liked that, despite not understanding what the main character was going through, their new friend wanted to know to support them. It’s great as a coming of age, high school manga.

I have received an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Kodansha Comics and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. The Pub date of the book is May 25th. This review will be posted on my Goodreads, Facebook page and Instagram.
When I saw the synopsis, I was delighted and immediately wanted to read it. The theme and the art captured me from the beginning and after reading it, I was completely in love with this story.
The theme that comes to us is something that should be more talked about and shared for general understanding - to educate others and to promote the respect and rights of all of us. Here we also have the important factor of a person who feels wrong in the body that he's in and that has to deal with the feelings that it brings him and awakens him. Until he meets someone who accepts and changes the direction of his life and way of thinking. Someone who wants to help and shout to the world that help. I was in love right from the first pages. It is important to have more books / stories that promote the topic.
Another thing that enchanted me, in addition to the beautiful art, was what in this first book started by showing: what to help one person, can do and help two or three more. I felt drowned in this story and in the emotions of the characters. I would love to follow the continuation of this series because without any doubt, it started wonderfully. I want to know what will happen to our characters and what the future of what they are together, creating, will be like.
Did I say that art is beautiful? IT is!!!

CW: transphobia/LGBTQ+ hate and bullying

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an advanced electronic copy of this comic/graphic novel (manga) in exchange for an honest review!

Note for readers: this book is meant to be read in the original Japanese manga format, meaning that pages and panels should be read from right to left.

Ryo is a high school student who knows he's transgender, but he can't tell anyone. He only feels comfortable when he's in his favorite clothes, even if he's always being asked why he "dresses like a boy." One day while out shopping, he runs into a new classmate who had originally seemed intimidating, but if they like the same clothes and style, can he really be all that scary? So when Jin offers to team up with Ryo to build a brand together, Ryo must decide if this is how he will finally find a way to express his true self.

Originally published in Japan, this fictional story was written by a transgender Manga creator, so not only is it filled with LGBTQ+ representation, BUT it's own voices too! I loved this story and I'm so happy that it's being published in English and more readers will have access to it. I'm excited for Volume 2 and what adventures will come next for these characters!

Challenges and interesting titles continue to rain from Kodansha. This time the story is about a transgender character in the lead role. Not in the comedy list, as I think I've seen it done more often, but in a very serious, well-sustained and meaningful role.
Ryou is a boy in the body of a girl and goes through one of the difficult periods of his life, looking for himself and still unaccepted by others. His luck smiles when fate confronts him with Satou Jin, whose dream is to deal with fashion design. Sato manages to ignite Ryou with the idea and the two start with a print of Ryou-designed T-shirts on the way to the big stage.
The manga has wonderful art and well-sustained characters. It is consistent, even at times a little hasty, but so that one is not irritated by it. It is current and modern. I hope people do not ignore it just because it is "too modern" because of its subject matter and to see the true potential of history. It perfectly combines the classic and the innovative in the genre.

The original review is in Bulgarian. Sorry for the translation errors. I am adding a link.

Boys Run the Riot is an absolute super nova! The story chronicles the ups and downs of the coming of age of transgender teen Ryo who is struggling with his gender. While he knows he is a boy he struggles with the fear of being ostracized in society by being outside the norm. I respected how the manga didn't pull any punches when portraying his struggles and fear of being rejected. He finds acceptance from his friend Jin but the society at large is shown to be intolerant of anything they think is weird or strays from the norm. The message of the story is about being true to yourself and following your dreams, yet the author takes a realistic and bittersweet approach showing how difficult it is to go against the grain.
The focus on fashion to both give characterization and catalyze the story was well done. I'm fascinated by Japanese street fashion and it was fun to read about characters who are passionate about it. It also serves the theme of identity for both Ryo and Jin as clothing helps express their identity and gives them freedom in a society which pressures them to conform.

The manga was very moving and well done! I'm really glad a trans mangaka got a chance to tell this story as it feels really empathetic and authentic. I highly recommend picking up Boys Run the Riot!

I've been excited for this English release ever since it was announced, and Boys Run the Riot did not disappoint. Keito Gaku creates a vivid contemporary world full of life through carefully crafted characters and clean art. Although gender identity is at the forefront, queer pain is not, and that was refreshing. Ryo and Jin's friendship showcased the ups and downs of new relationships in a realistic and charming way. I'm excited for future volumes, and I would definitely recommend this title to others.