Music is a massive part of my life, as is anime, and as a queer man, I’m drawn to BL-centered series. So, I could not have been more excited when I discovered given. Adapted from the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Natsuki Kizu, it’s a beautiful rollercoaster of first love, loss, anxiety, emotion, and the healing power of music.
Ritsuka isn’t the best student. If he’s not napping, he’s thinking about music. Sometimes, he’s doing both at the same time. One morning, he finds a new student, Mafuyu, napping in his favorite spot, holding a guitar after repairing the broken strings on Mafuyu’s Gibson ES-330. Ritsuka reluctantly agrees to teach Mafuyu the guitar.
However, after hearing him sing, Ritsuka is blown away by the power of Mafuyu’s voice and asks him to join his band, which includes Akihiko and Haruki, as a singer. Initially, Mafuyu refuses. He’s got a secret. As the two get to know one another, Ritsuka learns that the guitar Mafuyu always carries with him belonged to his childhood best friend, Yūki Yoshida, who was also his boyfriend. Yūki committed suicide before the events of the anime.
After agreeing to join the band, Mafuyu struggles to write lyrics to the melody he’s had in his head – even though the band has composed the rest of the song. Finally, on the day of the performance, Mafuyu has a breakthrough and writes an emotionally charged song expressing his grief over Yūki – on the spot – as they play. The performances put the band (whose new name is given) as the group to follow in the J-pop underground. It also allows for Mafuyu to finally heal an embrace his budding relationship with Ritsuka.
Haruki has romantic feelings for Akihiko, but Akihiko is in a (toxic) relationship with Ugetsu. Finally, the two come to blows, and the relationship ends for good, allowing Haruki and Akihiko to explore their feelings for one another. It’s a very relatable situation for anyone who’s ever been in a situationship.
The music of the series is phenomenal. The opening theme “キヅアト” (English: “Scar”), the closing theme “まるつけ” (English: “The Right Answer”), and the original songs “Session” and “冬のはなし” (English: “A Winter Story”) — are all composed and performed by singer/songwriter/composer Centimillimental (aka Atsushi). Incredibly emotional, there are enough differences between what Centimillimental released and those included in the series (performed by Mafuyu voice actor Shōgo Yano).
The series aired in Japan from 11 July to 19 September 2019 on Noitamina and was the first BL series to air on the network during their late-night anime programming block.
Licensed in North America through Funimation / Crunchyroll, the 11-episode 2 disc set totals 4 hours and 35 minutes and includes both the original Japanese and an English dub. English subtitles are also included. You can order your own copy through Amazon.
More anime soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 