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Given (manga)
Japanese manga series by Natsuki Kizu From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Given (Japanese: ギヴン, Hepburn: Givun; stylized in all lowercase) is a Japanese manga series created by Natsuki Kizu. It ran in the bimonthly manga magazine Chéri+ from 2013 until 2023 and has been compiled into nine tankōbon volumes by Shinshokan.
The story follows four students who come together to form the amateur rock band Given, blending themes of music and emotional growth as their personal and romantic relationships evolve. At the core of the narrative is the developing relationship between electric guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and introverted vocalist Mafuyu Sato, while a parallel storyline delves into the deeper and more complex bond between bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.
Exploring themes such as love, grief, and self-discovery, Given portrays how music becomes both an outlet and a connection point for its characters. The series has been adapted across several formats, beginning with an audio drama in 2016. An 11-episode anime television adaptation aired in 2019 on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, marking a milestone as the first boys' love (BL) anime featured in that programming slot. This was followed by a theatrical anime film in 2020 that expanded on the characters' relationships, and a live-action television drama that aired in 2021, introducing the story to a wider audience.
The English-language edition of the manga is licensed in North America by SuBLime, a joint imprint of Viz Media and Animate. The anime and film are distributed internationally by Crunchyroll, further boosting the franchise's global reach and fanbase.
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Plot
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Given is structured around four major story arcs, each exploring different character dynamics and emotional developments. The first arc introduces the band's formation and focuses on Ritsuka Uenoyama and Mafuyu Sato's growing relationship. The second centers on Akihiko Kaji and Haruki Nakayama as the group prepares for its first music competition. The third shifts to Mafuyu's childhood friends, Hiiragi Kashima and Shizusumi Yagi, confronting their shared history and unspoken feelings. The final arc follows Mafuyu's personal journey as he searches for direction in life, while Ritsuka works to complete a song built around a demo left behind by Mafuyu's late boyfriend, Yuki Yoshida, an effort to give Mafuyu both closure and a way back to music.
Ritsuka and Mafuyu
Ritsuka Uenoyama, a high school guitarist, plays in a band with college students Haruki Nakayama (bass) and Akihiko Kaji (drums). One day, he repairs the broken strings on a [Gibson ES-330] owned by his quiet classmate, Mafuyu Sato, and reluctantly agrees to teach him guitar. Ritsuka soon discovers Mafuyu's extraordinary singing voice and invites him to join the band.
Over time, Ritsuka learns that the guitar once belonged to Yuki Yoshidam Mafuyu's childhood friend and former boyfriend, who died by suicide. As the band prepares for its first live show, Mafuyu struggles to write lyrics, eventually channeling his grief into a raw, emotional performance that leaves a lasting impression. The experience brings Ritsuka and Mafuyu closer, culminating in a backstage kiss and the start of their romantic relationship. The band decides on the name Given, symbolizing the "gift" of Mafuyu's voice and the fate that brought them together.
Akihiko and Haruki
Following the success of their first live performance, Given gains attention online. They enter an amateur music competition, but creative progress is slowed by unresolved feelings, Haruki harbors unspoken love for Akihiko, who remains entangled in a complicated relationship with his ex, Ugetsu Murata. As tensions rise, Akihiko moves out of the apartment he shares with Ugetsu and confronts Haruki, acknowledging the feelings between them. The encounter is emotionally charged, leading to an intimate but ambiguous shift in their relationship.
Akihiko temporarily moves in with Haruki, and while they settle into a routine, their romantic tension remains unresolved. On the day of the qualifying concert, Akihiko breaks things off with Ugetsu. Though the band performs a new song written by Mafuyu, they fail to advance in the competition. Akihiko later moves out and begins focusing seriously on his music studies. Months later, after a violin competition, he confesses his feelings to Haruki, revealing that his efforts to grow were driven by a desire to be someone worthy of Haruki's love. The two officially begin dating.
Hiragi and Shizusumi
The death of Yuki Yoshida casts a long shadow over his former bandmates Hiragi Kashima and Shizusumi Yagi, both of whom carry lingering guilt and unresolved emotions. As members of the band Syh, they continue with plans for a major debut, but the sudden loss of their guitarist leads them to eventually temporarily bring in Ritsuka, as there previous temp stepped back to attend university.
During this time, Hiragi struggles with guilt over Yuki's death and his role in it, while Shizusumi finds it difficult to articulate his own feelings. Their shared grief slowly brings them back together. As the emotional walls begin to break down, Hiragi confronts the feelings he's long kept buried and takes the first step toward a romantic relationship with Shizusumi.
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Characters
Main characters
- Mafuyu Sato (佐藤 真冬, Satō Mafuyu)
- Voiced by: Sōma Saitō (audio drama),[2] Shōgo Yano (anime)[3] (Japanese); Brandon McInnis[4] (English)
- A 16-year-old high school student and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Given. He's never had formal training, but his voice is strikingly expressive, and he picks up guitar and songwriting with surprising ease. After the death of his boyfriend Yuki, Mafuyu shuts down emotionally, often coming across as distant or withdrawn. On stage, his grief and longing poured into every note. Offstage, he leads a quiet life and looks after his nine-month-old Pomeranian, Kedama.
- Ritsuka Uenoyama (上ノ山 立夏, Uenoyama Ritsuka)
- Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa (audio drama),[2] Yuma Uchida (anime)[3] (Japanese); Jessie James Grelle[4] (English)
- A 16-year-old high school student and the lead guitarist of Given. He's been playing guitar since sixth grade, when his father gave him his first instrument, and his technical skill reflects years of practice. Despite his talent, Ritsuka had started to lose his passion for music after dealing with the disappointment of former bandmates quitting. That changes when he meets Mafuyu Sato, what starts as reluctant guitar lessons gradually pulls him back into music and sparks something deeper. Ritsuka is generally kind-hearted, but tends to come across as blunt or emotionally distant. As he grows closer to Mafuyu, he's forced to confront feelings he doesn't fully understand and begins to find his way back to the music he once loved.
- Haruki Nakayama (中山 春樹, Nakayama Haruki)
- Voiced by: Yasuaki Takumi (audio drama),[2] Masatomo Nakazawa (anime)[3] (Japanese); Y. Chang[4] (English)
- A 22-year-old graduate student and the bassist of Given, as well as the band's de facto leader. Easygoing and sociable, he often plays the role of peacemaker, keeping the group grounded and helping balance out the stronger personalities around him. As the oldest member, Haruki takes the band's future seriously, both musically and personally and is the one most committed to keeping it all together. He's had quiet feelings for Akihiko Kaji for years, which eventually grow into a romantic relationship. While Haruki comes across as confident and laid-back, he sometimes struggles with insecurity, especially when comparing his playing to the more technically skilled musicians in the group. Outside of performing, he also handles the band's social media and public image, helping shape how they're seen beyond the stage.
- Akihiko Kaji (梶 秋彦, Kaji Akihiko)
- Voiced by: Satoshi Hino (audio drama)[2] Takuya Eguchi (anime)[3] (Japanese); Jonah Scott[4] (English)
- A 20-year-old college student and the drummer for Given. A violin major, he's a multi-instrumentalist with strong technical skills on guitar, bass, and drums. His background in music is matched by his complicated history with relationships, Akihiko is experienced and often offers advice to others, though his own love life has been far from simple. He was previously involved in an on-and-off relationship with his ex-boyfriend, Ugetsu Murata, a talented violinist with whom he shares a long, painful past. As his feelings for bandmate Haruki Nakayama begin to surface, Akihiko finds himself torn between old habits and a desire to move forward. After a final, emotional breakup with Ugetsu, he moves in with Haruki. In time, Akihiko confronts his feelings and, after competing in a violin competition, confesses his love. Haruki returns those feelings, and the two begin dating, marking a turning point for Akihiko as he commits to growing both as a person and a partner.
- Hiragi Kashima (鹿島 柊, Kashima Hiiragi)
- Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda (audio drama), Fumiya Imai (anime)[5]
- A childhood friend of Mafuyu Sato and Shizusumi Yagi, tied together by a complicated past, especially the loss of their mutual friend Yuki Yoshida. As the passionate guitarist and leader of the band Syh, which he started with Shizusumi and Yuki, Hiragi is determined to push the band toward their major debut. He pours his tangled emotions, mix of guilt and hope, into his music, using it as an outlet. Though he often comes off as confident and fiery, Hiragi struggles with opening up and showing his softer, more vulnerable side.
- Shizusumi Yagi (八木 玄純, Yagi Shizusumi)
- Voiced by: Daiki Hamano (audio drama), Taito Ban (anime)
- A childhood friend and former classmate of Mafuyu Sato. Alongside Hiiragi Kashima and Yuki Yoshida, he formed the band Syh during their senior high school years. After Yuki's tragic suicide, Shizusumi, like Hiragi, struggles with the weight of grief and unresolved emotions, channeling much of it into his music. Though quiet and reserved on the surface, Shizusumi is fiercely loyal and deeply supportive, especially toward Hiragi. Over time, their bond grows into a romantic relationship.
Supporting characters
- Yuki Yoshida (吉田 由紀, Yoshida Yuki)
- Voiced by: Yoshiki Nakajima (audio drama), Yuuki Shin (anime) (Japanese); Brendan Blaber[6] (English)
- Mafuyu's childhood friend and deceased boyfriend, who passed away before the manga began, appears only through flashbacks. He and Mafuyu grew up as latchkey kids, raised in single-parent homes, and eventually became romantically involved when they grew up. Their relationship fractured, leading Yuki into a moment heavy drinking and suicide by hanging. Before his death, Yuki was a guitarist in a band with his close friends Hiiragi and Shizusumi.
- Ugetsu Murata (村田 雨月, Murata Ugetsu)
- Voiced by: Atsushi Tamaru (audio drama), Shintarō Asanuma (anime)[5] (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum[7] (English)
- a world-renowned violinist known for his incredible technique and commanding presence on stage. As Akihiko's ex-boyfriend and former roommate, their relationship is complicated and often turbulent.
- Yayoi Uenoyama (上ノ山 弥生, Uenoyama Yayoi)
- Voiced by: Sayuri Yahagi (audio drama), Yū Shimamura (anime) (Japanese); Hayden Daviau[8] (English)
- Ritsuka's older sister, who once harbored an unrequited crush on Akihiko, is rejected, and Yayoi enters a romantic relationship with Koji Yatake. She is a talented painter and a member of the art club. Eventually, she finds out about Ritsuka and Mafuyu's relationship, as well as Akihiko and Haruki's.
- Shōgo Itaya (板谷 翔吾, Itaya Shōgo)
- Voiced by: Junya Enoki (audio drama), Kengo Takanashi (anime)
- Ritsuka's friend and classmate, Shōgo, who is a soccer striker recognized as a rising athlete in the Kanto region, has excellent motor skills and is thus skilled at other ball games, including basketball.
- Ryō Ueki (植木 涼, Ueki Ryō)
- Voiced by: Taku Yashiro (audio drama), Hirosato Amano (anime)
- Ritsuka's friend and classmate, who plays center for the school basketball team.
- Kōji Yatake (矢岳 光司, Yatake Kōji)
- Voiced by: Daiki Hamano (audio drama), Ryōta Takeuchi (anime)
- Haruki's fellow classmate from college, who is a bassist and vocalist, as well as a video editor who helps promote bands. He later dates Yayoi.
- Tsubaki (つばき)
- Voiced by: Mitsuki Nakae (anime)
- Mafuyu's co-worker at the concert venue where he works. Tsubaki appears only in the anime adaptation.
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Media
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Manga
Given has been serialized in the bimonthly magazine Chéri+ since April 2013.[9] In Japan, the series has been collected into nine bound volumes published by Shinshokan.[10] An English-language translation is published by Viz Media under their SuBLime imprint, with the first volume released in February 2020.[11][12] The series ended serialization on March 30, 2023.[13]
On January 30, 2024, Given's spin-off epilogue series, Given 10th Mix, premiered in the March 2024 issue of Chéri+.[14] Its events take place 10 years after the conclusion of the original manga.
Given is the first multi-volume work produced by manga artist Natsuki Kizu, following her two previous single-volume series Yukimura-sensei to Kei-kun (Yukimura and Kei, 2013)[15] and Links (2014).[16]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation produced by Lerche was announced during a Fuji TV press conference on March 14, 2019.[3] The series aired from July 11 to September 19, 2019 on Noitamina, the network's late-night anime programming block, making Given the first BL series to air on Noitamina.[3][34] The series is syndicated by Crunchyroll, which simulcasts the series worldwide outside of Asia.[35] In Southeast Asia, the series was released on WeTV on May 18, 2021.[36]
The series' primary production staff includes Hikaru Yamaguchi as director, Yuniko Ayana as scriptwriter, Mina Osawa as character designer, and Michiru as score composer.[3][37] The series' four original songs — the opening theme "Kizuato", the closing theme "Marutsuke", and the original songs "Session" and "Fuyu no hanashi" (lit. "A Winter Story") — are composed and performed by Centimillimental, with additional vocals from Mafuyu voice actor Shōgo Yano on "Marutsuke" and "Fuyu no hanashi".[5][38] The anime features a new voice cast, recasting the roles from the Crown Works audio drama.[3]
Given : Existence on the Other Hand (ギヴン うらがわの存在, Given: Uragawa no Sonzai), an original animation DVD (OAD), was released on December 1, 2021, bundled with the manga's seventh volume.[39]
Episodes
The majority of the episode titles in Given are references to British alternative rock songs, Ritsuka's favorite genre of music;episode nine is titled after the original song performed in the episode.[40]
Media release
Aniplex released Given across four volumes, in DVD and Blu-ray media formats.
Film
A film sequel to the Given anime series was announced on September 19, 2019. The film is a direct continuation of the anime series and adapts the second arc of the manga, which focuses on the relationship between Haruki and Akihiko.[53] Development of the film was transferred from Noitamina to Blue Lynx, Fuji TV's yaoi anime label launched in 2019.[54] The production staff and voice cast of the anime adaptation returned for the film, including Hikaru Yamaguchi as director and Yuniko Ayana as screenwriter. The film was originally scheduled for release on May 16, 2020,[55][56] but was delayed to August 22, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[57][58] Select screenings of the film from August 22 to 28 included an interview with the film's main cast and footage of Mafuyu voice actor Shōgo Yano performing "Marutsuke".[59] Streaming service Crunchyroll announced in October 2020 that it had acquired international distribution rights outside of Asia for the film,[60] which it released on February 2, 2021.[61] In Southeast Asia, WeTV released the film on May 25, 2021.[62]
A sequel anime film was announced in March 2023,[63] and later revealed as a two-part film project in August of that year.[64] with the first part, Hiiragi Mix (映画 ギヴン 柊mix, Eiga Givun: Hiiragi mix) was released in Japan on January 27, 2024,[65] and the second part, To the Sea (映画 ギヴン 海へ, Eiga Given: Umi e) on September 20, 2024.[66]
Stage play
A stage play adaptation of Given was announced on April 3, 2020, with Fumiya Matsuzaki as director and Given anime screenplay writer Yuniko Ayana returning as scriptwriter.[67] Originally slated to be staged at theaters in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka from August 15 to September 6, 2020,[67] it was initially cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic[68] before being rescheduled to November 2021.[69]
A 2nd stage play adaptation Butai Given: Umi e was set to run in May 2025, but it was cancelled due to the bankruptcy and closure of theater company Trifle Entertainment in January 2025.[70]
Live-action drama
A six-episode live-action drama adaptation of Given was announced on May 26, 2021, and was released on Fuji TV's FOD streaming service on July 17, 2021.[39] The series is directed by Kōichirō Miki and stars Jin Suzuki as Ritsuka Uenoyama, Sanari as Mafuyu Satō, Kai Inowaki as Akihiko Kaji, and Shuntarō Yanagi as Haruki Nakayama.[71] Crunchyroll licensed the series for distribution in English in non-Asian regions.[72]
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Discography
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Audio drama albums
An audio drama CD adapting scenes from the first volume of Given was included with the February 2016 issue of Chéri+.[2] That same month, Crown Works began to release a series of audiobook drama CDs that adapt each volume of the manga.[73]
Extended plays
An eight-track extended play titled Gift (stylized in all lowercase) was released by Sony Music Japan on August 26, 2020. The album, credited to "Given" and marketed as an album by the band, collects the original songs from the television anime series and film. The album's cover artwork features an original illustration by Natsuki Kizu.[78][79]
Singles
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Reception
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Manga
The second volume of Given reached #39 on Oricon, selling 17,484 copies in its second week for a total of 30,308 copies as of February 2016.[88] The third volume reached #37 on Oricon and sold 24,345 copies in its first week.[89] The series ranked #7 in the boys' love category on the digital book service BookLive! in the first half of 2019.[90]
Anime
The anime adaptation of Given was positively received by critics. In a review of episodes one and two for Anime News Network, Steve Jones called the series "one of the season's most emotionally resonant offerings," praising its soundtrack and Yamaguchi's direction.[91] The series' writing, which Jones noted was "undercooked, but not egregiously so" in his initial review, was noted by Jones as improving in subsequent episodes.[92][93] Specific praise was given to the relationship between Mafuyu and Ritsuka, with Jones calling it "one of the most compelling anime romances of the year."[94]
In a review for Crunchyroll, Adam Wescott called Given "the best show you aren't watching right now," giving specific praise to its sound and lighting design.[95]
Film
In its opening weekend, the film adaptation of Given ranked first in Kogyotsushinsha's tracking of mini-theater ticket sales[96] and remained in first for five consecutive weeks.[97] In the overall box office, the film ranked 9th in its opening weekend despite opening in only 30 theaters – roughly one-tenth the number of theaters of its closest competitors.[98] By September 14, 2020, the film had sold 100,000 tickets.[99]
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Notes
- A limited edition marketed as a "live edition" was released with Given 2 and Given 5, which contained a bonus CD containing songs performed by Soma Saito, the voice actor of Mafuyu. Oricon combines sales rankings of the limited editions with the regular editions.[75][76]
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References
External links
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