The high school fashion designer wannabes find a mentor to help them nail down what they want their brand to be about. And just when I think they are laying the groundwork for some interesting storylines in the future, up pops "Final Chapter," and everything quickly wraps up quickly in a way that's okay but feels premature.

Sure enough, it says "Final Volume" on the back cover. I guess I should look at that sometimes before I start reading.

As consolation, there's a really good bonus story tucked in the back that inspired the series. It's powerful tale of finding and asserting one's gender identity, but it is also harrowing, filled with transphobia and other nastiness from a bunch of awful high school kids. ( )

After all the craziness died down with Tsubasa, Ryo bumps into a guy named Joe, who has been running his own fashion brand for 20 years. Joe likes Boys Run the Riot and mentors the group to think of their brand message, motif, and concept. After finding that out, Joe gives them a spot in his exhibition. Ryo and Jin debate on whether to tell their parents about the exhibition or try to hide it.

I absolutely adore found families, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community that aren’t accepted by their blood families, the members of Boys Run the Riot are a little family.

Now, a part of me understands why this series ended where it did, but at the same time, I felt like it could have gone on for so much longer as we explored characters' journeys that were kind of left out by the curb. There really wasn’t much with Ryo coming out to his parents?? Jin’s mom in all this and his family dynamic…

I still think it’s a good series and an important one with trans representation.

I just wish it would have gone on a lot longer. ( )