Reviews with content warning for Dysphoria - Boys Run the Riot 1

This was lovely and uplifting. Ryuu is a trans high schooler who befriends Jin, the new transfer student, and they decide to start a clothing brand together. Ryuu and Jin’s burgeoning relationship was wonderful. Jin instantly accepts Ryuu for who he is and that you should be your true self. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see how these two’s company and friendship evolves.

Trigger Warnings: gender dysphoria; bullying; transphobia; misgendering; physical violence

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skilletsnail's review against another edition

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challenging dark inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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jpitts's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really really love the themes here of fashion as a form of defiance and a means of unabashedly showing the world your true self. I also remembered while reading this that anime/manga has a particular, delightfully corny way of making you feel absolutely pumped up in rooting for the characters. I'm excited to see where this goes!

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rorikae's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

'Boys Run the Riot' is a heartfilled manga about a trans boy making friends and starting a clothing brand.
Ryuu is struggling in school where he will do anything to stop wearing the girls uniform. While out looking at clothes he runs into transfer student, Jin, and they begin to talk. Both interested in clothing, Jin invites Ryuu to start a clothing brand with him. As they work towards their first design and creating a brand, Ryuu begins to feel more comfortable as he discovers a hidden passion.
'Boys Run the Riot' is a deeply caring manga about one trans boy looking to find his place. Seeing Ryuu's relationship with Jin progress as well as him getting excited by the prospect of creating a brand, brought a smile to my face. Seeing Ryuu come into his own in this first volume was wonderful and though I am sure there will be bumps in the road ahead, I can't wait to read more. I'm excited to see the friendship between the two boys flourish and it looks like they will start recruiting more people to help with establishing their brand.

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james1star's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I throughly enjoyed the first volume of this manga and will definitely be continuing the journey. It centres on the main character Ryo who is a trans boy hiding his identity and struggles from his peers and family when Jin, a ‘typical-bully-looking’ guy kept back a year, comes into his class. When Ryo’s out wearing ‘boy clothes’ (clothes don’t have a gender people) him and Jin both reach for the same item and as they share fashion sense, Jin suggests starting an online brand together. Will Ryo finally have someone he can confide in? Read it to find out…

Whilst this is a story that’s about two high schoolers starting a clothing brand, it’s themes and messages certainly expand beyond this. It’s about not letting society and irrelevant people’s opinions/expectations hinder one’s creativity and true selves. The main character is Ryo and Geku includes details about him coming to terms with his gender identity but Jin and later Itsuka’s characters are also very much explored with much more to them then what’s on the surface. I cannot wait to see more of what they get up to. The art is really lovely, as it’s a contemporary manga there is realness which is done very well and just overall was enjoyable to read… and look at. Volume one has introduced us to the characters in a great way with you wanting to continue on with the series, might be an emotional one but I’m sensing a heartwarming touch too.

Geku is a trans man and has implemented parts of his personal life into the work, I love this as you get a glimpse into the psychology/mind of Ryo and similarly other trans people. There is some element of shame which is the most prevalent portrayal of queer identities but also hope and this ‘fighting back’ spirit which is amazing, something I hope to see more in literature specifically translated works. The English editorial team and translator Leo McDonagh were all transgender which is great.

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