Reviews

Boys Run the Riot, Volume 1 by Keito Gaku

sampauwels's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative fast-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

5.0

marissagoodell92's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

piss3000's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

hazelwood's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

I really liked this story about a young trans boy finding acceptance and purpose with a group of new friends and their fashion brand! I can't wait to read the rest of the series now that I know it's at the library. 

wendy_rdz's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

jessep's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

lamirrorball's review against another edition

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5.0

literally so good so far

lerburger's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring fast-paced

4.0

mbell801's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

millibee's review against another edition

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5.0

Note: this review does contain minor spoilers!

Boys Run the Riot has been on my radar for the longest time and I am so happy that I finally got to read it! It absolutely did not disappoint.

This manga is an OwnVoices story of a teenage trans boy in Japan named Ryo and a rough-looking transfer student named Jin who band together to create their own fashion brand.

This manga is so special in the way that it not only discusses feelings of dysphoria but also explores what it feels like in general to feel out of place or to be someone who naturally gravitates to going ‘against the grain’ of societal expectations.

The first volume does a great job of introducing the themes and characters. I enjoyed the introduction of a third member to their brand project as well as the brief discussion of printmaking techniques, graffiti and photography.

At the end of volume one, we are introduced to Tsubasa, a genderqueer character who says that they haven’t had any contact with their mother in quite some time. I am interested to see where the following volumes take us with their character development and can’t wait to see how Ryo and Jin’s brand goes!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.