Written by Daniel
A nerd from day one, who will talk about his love for fiction and printed stories for hours!
One of the most prominent features of Japanese culture today is its incredible fashion diversity. Whether you want to wear Decora – a style all about covering yourself in as many accessories as possible – or rock Visual Kei, inspired by Rock, Punk, or Goth looks, you’ll find a style that suits you.
It’s no surprise, then, that manga characters often wear unique and badass outfits. What is surprising, however, is how rarely we see stories about the people who inspire and shape these styles. But fear not! There is a story that dives into the impact of fashion and how style can shape our sense of gender identity.
This is: Boys Run The Riot!
What is Boys Run The Riot About?
The high schooler Ryo is at a critical point in his life. Although everyone refers to him by his assigned gender, he knows he is a trans man. While this realization is clear to him, he doesn’t feel like he can tell anyone the truth. Neither his best friend nor his mother would seemingly understand – something made evident by their comments on his style. What they don’t know is that his style brings him comfort and helps him hold on to himself during this lonely time.
One day, after school, while out looking for new fashion inspiration, he sees Jin. At first, Ryo assumes Jin must be a bully because of his tough appearance. But to his surprise, Jin shares the same taste in fashion! This shared passion sparks an exciting journey for the two boys – one of fashion, identity, and bold self-expression.
This story is the perfect weekend read for Pride Month! With only four volumes that tell a complete story, it offers a short but unique and meaningful experience. It gives you a fresh perspective – especially from a trans person's point of view – and might even inspire you to explore how you can express yourself through fashion.
Boys Run The Riot Proves How New Perspectives Are Valuable
What makes Boys Run The Riot truly special is that it not only gives us the perspective of a trans character – it’s also created by a trans mangaka. It’s easy to understand that representation matters. But it’s even more important when that representation comes from people who share the same experiences as the characters they create. It’s great to see diverse casts in fiction, but when the author lacks lived experience, diverse characters can sometimes miss certain nuances or feel less authentic.
To be clear, a lack of authenticity shouldn’t be mistaken for malicious intent. Some authors simply don’t know better because they haven’t lived the same reality as the characters they’re trying to write about. That’s why it’s so important to have stories told by authors who truly understand the experiences of the groups they’re writing about. And Boys Run The Riot does exactly that!
Boys Run The Riot is a deeply educational manga that offers new perspectives to readers who may not yet be familiar with the lives of trans people. It also provides much-needed representation, portraying a trans character in a respectful and non-harmful way – something many other manga still struggle to achieve. The result is a satisfying, authentic, and thoughtful depiction of a community that is far too often overlooked in fiction.
However, this does not mean that the story is only about a trans person. The worst thing a story like this can do is reduce a character solely to their gender identity.
A trans person’s life already includes enough hurdles, which are beautifully portrayed in this Manga. Still, what a trans person wants most is to be seen and respected as the gender they identify with.
Constantly reminding someone of their trans identity can be just as harmful as ignoring it.
Thus, while the topic is addressed at the beginning and end of the Manga, Ryo is not constantly referred to as a trans man – he is simply a man.
This is why Boys Run The Riot is a perfect example of why it’s important for groups to speak for themselves. A non-trans author might have had good intentions but could have focused too much on the trans label. A trans author, on the other hand, knows what this feels like – and handles it better.
But before this article fully focuses on Ryo’s trans identity and that of the mangaka – and risks doing the very thing I find troubling in some fiction – I want to highlight the aspects of the story that I found truly beautiful.
Boys Run The Riot Will Show You How Cool Fashion Can Truly Be
For me, I’ve always struggled with fashion. I don’t like fabric that’s too tight, and I’d rather wear something functional than stylish. However, after reading Boys Run The Riot, I finally understood that fashion is more than pricey pieces and extravagant elements.
Boys Run The Riot taught me that fashion begins with a feeling. As long as you feel comfortable and like yourself in your clothes, anything can look stylish. The opposite is also true – if someone wears something considered high-fashion but doesn’t feel comfortable in it, it gives off a completely different vibe.
Fashion is simply a tool to express yourself fully, no matter who you are or what you want to be.
And although I didn’t like every single outfit shown in Boys Run The Riot, I still took some inspiration for my own style – pieces that are now in my closet. You can truly feel that the mangaka loves fashion and is deeply immersed in the topic. This makes the Manga feel authentic and in touch with current trends.
The Message Is Beautiful For Every Reader
What I loved most about Boys Run The Riot, besides the beautiful representation, is the message itself. It's lovely to see two young people chase their dreams and figure out who they want to be. What truly matters is that, no matter what happens, you have to keep dreaming and stay true to yourself.
This may sound cheesy, but I really love messages like this. Every time I read this type of manga – which I personally call “Chase-Your-Dreams-Manga” – I immediately feel motivated to pursue my own dreams. That’s what makes these stories so valuable to me.
Boys Run The Riot Is The Perfect Pride- and Motivational-Manga
To put it in a nutshell, Boys Run The Riot is not only a powerful representation by a trans person for their own community – which deserves much more visibility – but also a perfect read for anyone who wants to chase a dream.
I love that this short series gave me a new perspective and taught me valuable things about the trans community, without reducing itself to just that.
At its core, Boys Run The Riot is a story about chasing your dreams and staying true to yourself, no matter what anyone says.
And I think that’s beautiful.
If you want to read this award-winning series, you can get all four volumes – and thus the complete story – here:
