Boys Run the Riot, vol. 1

 Boys Run the Riot, vol. 1 by Keito Gaku, translated by Leo McDonagh, 246 pages.

Transgender high school student Ryo knows that "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down." So he wears the uniform he hates, tries to keep his head down, and doesn't tell anyone he's really a boy. The one place he finds solace is in his favorite clothes, which let him feel comfortable and confident for a while. When outspoken weird guy Jin sees Ryo at a pop-up shop and suggests they start a clothing brand together Ryo is initially hesitant. Then, mostly through watching Jin love his life while confidently wearing his passions on his sleeve, Ryo learns to start living without shame.

This was a surprisingly heartfelt manga. It's focused on transgender issues, but it is also more broadly about the many students at their school learning to love things without shame. It feels really good to read, and I was very excited to see that at least two other volumes have also already been translated to English.