Hi! So, uhm, yeah, Given by Kizu Natsuki had an amazing anime adaptation by Lerche Studio, and it's been a week since the last episode aired. The reason why I shamelessy created this--my love for Given was too much that I had to let it all out, here. Forgive me cause this is still a mess even tho, I've edited this countless times, I'm pretty (lol) sure there might be gramatically errors and typo errors (as well) that you'll encounter. And I'm not really that good in writing, you can see me doing hundreds of words and I'd still call it a crap ha-ha.
Anyway here:
SYNOPSIS
"It's stuck deep inside me and I can't get it out of my head. Mafuyu's voice is an insane and dangerous weapon."
That day, Ritsuka Uenoyama started to feel that playing the guitar and playing basketball, both of which he liked very much, were becoming boring. He then encounters Mafuyu Sato, who's holding onto a broken guitar, and decides to fix it. The moment Uenoyama finishes fixing the guitar, Mafuyu becomes completely attached to him. However, after hearing Mafuyu sing it leaves a deep impression on him. (Credits to MAL)
Given is roughly divided into two major story arcs. The first arc, which focuses primarily on the relationship between Mafuyu and Ritsuka, follows the formation of the band and the lead-up to their first live performance. The second arc, which focuses primarily on the relationship between Akihiko and Haruki, follows the band as they prepare for their first music festival.
Let's start with some lines that I rlly love, and they caught my attention:
Given was a suggestion from my friend, it took me months before I picked it up from my pile of mangas to read.
I remember the first time I've read Given (cause uhm ive been reading it countless times now that it felt like i kinda remember ever chapter haha) As soon as I've read the first pages of Given, I felt how I was digging on something that might be too deep--so yeah, I was right.
Mafuyu and Ritsuka's first encounter didnt amaze me at all. What intrigued me was how Ritsuka pointed out that Mafuyu's guitar was a Gibson, yet it turns out he doesnt know how to play it. That really speaks a lot to me, (altho I own a guitar and I dont know how to play it, mine isnt as pricey as Gibson haha) my theory, it was someone else's guitar I just couldnt point it out that time whether it was a family relative to Mafuyu or not.
When Mafuyu declined Ritsuka's offer to join the band, thats when I thought it out. Maybe Mafuyu is holding on something he couldnt easily let go. Why would he embrace a thing that he doesnt know how to play? Why even though he wants to learn, yet he doesnt feel like joining the band?
Given was painfully beautiful. The plot was there, and I love how it slowly made all the characters in one place. I love how the characters were flawed, and they all desperately holding on to music. I love how music stands as a key element for the story. How Ritsuka was trying to find how to enjoy music a little like how he used to be, when Mafuyu came he brought Ritsuka's passion to music again, and maybe even more lively than before. How Haruki made music as his bridge to Akihiko. How Akihiko depends on music. And how music changed Mafuyu. (those are my interpretation lol)
Haruki was the easiest character to lean on. He's brimming with so much kindness and warmth. One thing I can't forget was how calm and collected he was when Ritsuka broke Mafuyu's string. Plus he is really the mother of the band, how he cared so much on them. But as much as I wanna dig more on his character, I have to let it go for now and go all out on the movie.
Akihiko on the other hand, he's the most perceptive character--he was the first one who found out about Ritsuka's feelings, he kinda knew that Mafuyu is holding on something in the past. I'm really thankful that he was there when Mafuyu and Ritsuka was slowly accepting their feelings. Having a guy like Akihiko to explain things both on Mafuyu and Ritsuka was really a blessing to me, it was one of the best decision that Natsuki sensei did.
Mafuyu was really like an infant to me (at first haha). It was hard for him to open up, so I had no clue at all on what's going on his mind well atleast I know if Mafuyu feels jealous or if he's being sincerely happy.
He had a hard time expressing his feelings. After Yuki died, and considering what was his last words to him, if I was Mafuyu I'd get terrified too. He can't just simply laugh and cries like others, he felt like he doesn't have the right. It broke me when he said he can't forgive Yuki and himself, yet he wants to.
Given felt more like watching Mafuyu break down the walls he build for himself.
He had a hard time expressing his feelings. After Yuki died, and considering what was his last words to him, if I was Mafuyu I'd get terrified too. He can't just simply laugh and cries like others, he felt like he doesn't have the right. It broke me when he said he can't forgive Yuki and himself, yet he wants to.
Given felt more like watching Mafuyu break down the walls he build for himself.
As for Ritsuka, I love him the most. He will always be my fave character in the series--how he loves Mafuyu with all his heart. He accepted him, with baggages and flaws. He never force Mafuyu to speak more about Yuki, he was just there patiently waiting for him. I also love the fact that when Mafuyu confessed on him, he kinda take the responsibility and they started going out. How Ritsuka loves Mafuyu, speaks so much freedom.
Yuki was that kind of love we had, but was never really for us. If you still think that Mafuyu doesnt love Ritsuka more than Yuki, kindly refer to episode nine, last lines of his song. It felt like that'll be the last time that Mafuyu will say he misses Yuki, cause--he's not lonely anymore. As he said, he found a new love. And he wants to write another song, means he knows his life will move forward and now together with Ritsuka.
Even though I couldn't say goodbye
You'll always be here with me
Mafuyu decided to move on. Yes, I'm not saying he'll forget Yuki, but on my part, from that moment I knew Mafuyu is ready to love someone more than how he loved Yuki before. I dont want the Yuki stans to hate me, but If I dont pointed this out, dont you think it'll be unfair to Yuki and Ritsuka if Mafuyu loves them both, in the same level?
I have learned to love Given while I was reading the manga, and fell more with the adaptation.
I love how Lerche studio put so much effort on the adaptation they did justice on Natsuki's sensei art-style it was aesthetically beautiful.
I'm really thankful for Centimillimetal for writing the Fuyu no Hanashi. It was rlly awesome. Actually all of the songs in Given are quite eargasm. I remember I shared a clip of their first instrumental song (Episode 1) on some of my friends, and they all said, its catchy haha. You'll really get hooked on the first chords they played.
And as a seiyuu stan, I love all the voice actors since day one--but I have to give credits on Yano Shougo--he rlly touched the whole fandom's hearts on how he sang Fuyu no Hanashi. I've felt every inch of frustration and pain of Mafuyu. This is why we need anime adaptation.
Given is something you can't watch without risking your emotions on the line. It brought so much emotions in me. Their passion, Mafuyu's pain, Haruki's one sided love, and I kinda see myself in Ritsuka when you really just like someone so much. As for Akihiko, and Ugetsu--the only thing I can say is--Ugetsu is a real beauty haha. It'll be unfair if I speak more about him, when the anime didnt cover much about him. Let's all wait for the movie.
It was fun watching Given, if you're still hesitant to watch just because two guys are in love with each other that's your lost anyway haha. I'm not really good at telling people to watch the same animes that I watched, but one thing is for sure Given touched me straight through my heart. I love this.
Once again, thank you Natsuki sensei for creating such a good story. For Lerche studio, for providing us the adaptation.
Let's all suppor them once again, next year for the movie!!!! 💓
It was fun watching Given, if you're still hesitant to watch just because two guys are in love with each other that's your lost anyway haha. I'm not really good at telling people to watch the same animes that I watched, but one thing is for sure Given touched me straight through my heart. I love this.
Once again, thank you Natsuki sensei for creating such a good story. For Lerche studio, for providing us the adaptation.
Let's all suppor them once again, next year for the movie!!!! 💓
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