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Given is a completed Japanese manga at fifty-one chapters. Beginning in 2013, the manga is written by Kizu Natsuki. The chapters have published by Shinshokan in Japanese. In English, the series is published by SuBLime and imprinted in Dear+ Comics. In 2016, the series was adapted into audio drama CDs, of which five are available.

An anime adaption was released in 2019. The anime season features eleven episodes at twenty two minutes each. It largely focuses on the story around Mafuyu and Ritsuka as they performed as a group with Akihiko and Haruka, of which their band is called "Given". After the eleven episodes concluded, the storyline would continue to be adapted with anime movies. The first Given movie was released in 2020 and is fifty-nine minutes in duration. This movie sequel enabled the focus to be more on Akihiko and Haruki as that part of the manga was adapted.

The Given: Uragawa no Sonzai, also called given - on the other hand in English, was a side story OVA released in 2021, which explores Mafuyu and Ritsuka's relationship further after the band's first live performance. A second movie named Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix was released in early 2024 . Further characters could be featured where original cast members could still be included as well. This was more the case with the third movie in the series, Given Movie 3: Umi e which was released in the later half of 2024.

Where the Given manga story was able to be completed, and while that was continuing to receive anime adaptions covering the chapters, there was a sequel story for the series called Given: 10th Mix which began in 2024. This would have an OVA released in 2025. The Given: Back Side story was also released in 2025 which as ever shows the characters and how they enjoy their time together.

Synopsis

Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all - with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. That is until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Uenoyama is nonplussed by Mafuyu Sato and his slightly odd behavior, but when, on a whim, he asks Mafuyu to sing, the power of that song pierces him to the core.

Series

The Given manga released in 2013 introduced Mafuyu and Ritsuka along with their bandmates Akihiko and Haruki which would receive an anime adaption in 2019. As the chapters continued, so did anime releases as three movies were released. After the first movie in 2020 which focused on Akihiko and Haruki more there was the 2021 OVA which updated the storyline on Mafuyu and Ritsuka's front. The movies continued in 2024 where this time Hiiragi and Shizusumi were focused on. The manga continued to be adapted with the third movie in the second part of 2024 with all characters featured. The Given manga having concluded in 2023, there is the sequel story Given: 10th Mix which commenced in 2024. An additional story concerning Mafuyu and Ritsuka is featured in Given: Back Side.

Characters

Mafuyu Sato

Mafuyu Sato - Given

After his childhood friend Yuki Yoshida helped bring Mafuyu's father to justice after he had been hitting him, Mafuyu came to be in a relationship with Yuki until he passed away. Generally quiet, Mafuyu keeps to himself and naps in his own secluded place on a school stairway, where he is troubled by what happened. He becomes attached to Ritsuka after he fixes the strings on his guitar, and he repeatedly asks him to teach him how to play it. At odds with his general nature, Mafuyu has no problem singing in front of other people and is expressive in his singing. This resonated with Ritsuka, which resulted in Mafuyu not just coming to see but also being invited to join Ritsuka's band. Although coming across to others unfamiliar with areas Mafuyu shows himself to be a capable learner. He works part-time at a concert venue and remains committed to the band. Mafuyu also enjoys visiting the seafront.

Ritsuka Uenoyama

Ritsuka Uenoyama - Given

Having been playing the guitar since the sixth grade after he received one from his father Ritsuka developed and sustained his interest in music. Ritsuka plays basketball with his school friends Shogo Itaya and Ryou Ueki; however, he is also fond of napping in and out of class. Stern, at first reluctant to teach Mafuyu guitar since he has not taught him before, Ritsuka, nevertheless brings Mafuyu to his band and tells them he cannot leave an abandoned puppy behind. In addition, he takes up part-time jobs such as working in a supermarket to support the band in purchasing required materials. He is sometimes unsure and incapable of navigating his feelings for Mafuyu especially when others hint at the topic. When he is himself, Ritsuka is fine with being there for Mafuyu and kissing him after their first successful live performance together.

Akihiko Kaji

Akihiko Kaji - Given

A college student and drummer in Ritsuka's band Akihiko is also in a relationship with Ritsuka's sister, Yayoi Uenoyama. This is also in an on-and-off relationship with Ugetsu Murata. Akihiko is acutely aware of the situation between Mafuyu and Ritsuka and either gags Haruki or chooses his words carefully to avoid tactless scenarios. After identifying issues in the band arising from the unspoken scenario, he could see Akihiko coaxing the matter out before his concern that the band could break came to pass. He acts casual when Mafuyu mentions his background in passing. While Ritsuka describes him as scary-looking but nice, Akihiko lives up to this reputation and is gifted at making others feel at ease.

Haruki Nakayama

Haruki Nakayama - Given

The oldest band member, Haruki, also attends the same college as Akihiko. After harboring jealous feelings towards others close to Akihiko he could come to date him. While he is not as astute in assessing situations compared to others, Haruki is quick to realize a delicate situation. When something needs to be said, such as when he was to speak with Ritsuka about why Akihiko canceled the band practice session, Haruki directly blurts out the issues; while he can get flustered, this is not the case when interacting with Mafuyu. He is friends with Shizusumi Yagi and arranges for them to perform live. Haruki models for a friend and his hair is styled so that others can view it on social media.

Ugetsu Murata

Given - Ugetsu Murata

Ugetsu is a talented musician who often travels abroad from Japan and Akihiko's ex-boyfriend. He met Akihiko in high school and began an on-and-off-again relationship with him. He shares his feelings, which can change to being friendly and open to irritability when feeling stressed. After coming into Akihiko's life and initially questioning whether he feels ready, Ugetsu is impressed by what he hears.

Hiiragi Kashima

Given - Hiiragi Kashima

Mafuyu's childhood friend who was in a band with Yuki Yoshida and Shizusumi Yagi. Finding Mafuyu years later, Hiiragi wonders why he has Yuki's guitar. He knows Mafuyu and Yuki's relationship and seeks Mafuyu out again to discuss past events. He is in a relationship with Shizusumi.

Shizusumi Yagi

Given - Shizusumi Yagi

Like Hiiragi, he was a friend of Mafuyu's. He played drums in a band. He is in a relationship with Hiiragi.

Yuki Yoshida

Given - Yuki Yoshida

Mafuku's boyfriend before he passed away.

Ayano Kasai

Given - Ayano Kasai

She is in the same class as Ritsuka and often tries to speak with him. Kasai asks pointed questions regarding Ritsuka and Mafuyu's friendship and regards it as a canard which she discusses with others. This is done out of curiosity, and although there is little sympathy for Mafuyu's side, Kasai does feel upset about how she acted around Ritsuka as she has feelings for him.

Yayoi Uenoyama

Given - Yayoi Uenoyama

Ritsuka's older sister who she grew up with and lives with. She is dating Akihiko and comes to watch the band perform.

Kedama

Given - Kedama

Also known as "Tama," he is a white pom who lives with Mafuyu. Kedama is lively and enjoys being around people.

Media

Manga

The manga started publishing on April 30th, 2013, and finished on March 30th, 2023, with nine volumes. It was written by Natsuki Kizu and published by Shinshokan.

Drama CDs

Beginning their release on February 25, 2016, the five audio drama episodes are produced by Crown Works by the Dice Entertainment studio.

Anime Episodes

Released from July 11, 2019, to September 19, 2019, the eleven-episode anime details the formation of the four-piece band as they prepare for a live performance with other characters involved.

Production

OVA: Given: Uragawa no Sonzai

An OVA (named given: on the other hand in English) was released on December 1st, 2021. It was bundled with the manga's seventh volume, as a limited-edition bonus. The story centers around Mafuyu and Uenoyama's storyline, which occurs during the movie.

Anime Movies

Given Movie 1

As a sequel continuing the story where the anime episodes covered up in the manga, the first anime movie was released a year later on August 22, 2020. The storyline concerns Akihiko's developing relationship with Haruki in volumes 4 and 5 of the manga. It was produced by Blue Lynx and is 59 minutes in duration.

Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix

On March 22nd, 2023, Natsuki Kizu announced on Twitter that a new anime movie was in the works with a promotional teaser. The second movie was released on January 27, 2024. It is 1 hour and 10 minutes in duration.

Given Movie 3: Umi e

The third movie aired in 2024.

Images

Videos

Wiki Link

The Given Wiki!