During the summer of 2019, Given began airing and became a surprising hit. Considering that shows like Vinland Saga, Dr. Stone and Fire Force also premiered around the same time, as well as Given being a Boys’ Love series, this came as a surprise to many. BL enthusiasts loved it, as expected, but it reached an audience beyond that scope. Upon watching the series, it isn’t hard to see why. Given actively avoids many BL stereotypes that can make audiences uncomfortable, while taking care in its portrayal of Mafuyu and Ritsuka’s blooming romance. There’s a clear balance in their relationship that allows them to be equals, rather than their personalities revolving around their “role” in the relationship.
Following the anime’s success, Studio Lerche, who produced the anime, and new animation studio Blue Lynx released a sequel movie covering the very end of the manga’s Volume 3, through Volume 4 and Volume 5. Though it’s the same series, the Given movie is very different from the anime because it shifts its focus to older cast members Akihiko and Haruki. Because of this, some fans question the value of watching it. For anyone wondering this, there are a few things to consider.
Maturity in Relationships
The initial story between Ritsuka and Mafuyu has a very different tone than Haruki and Akihiko’s. For Ritsuka, this is a case of first love where he has no idea what his feelings are or why they’re so strong until halfway through the anime. Meanwhile, Mafuyu has had one previous relationship, but it was intense and ended in tragedy. Because of this, there’s an innocence about the pair. Ritsuka panics at the idea of being alone with Mafuyu, or doing something as simple as holding his hand. He fumbles and worries about if his actions are okay because he’s never had feelings like them before. Mafuyu is stuck on firsts, like many teenagers are. Many of his firsts were with Yuki, so Mafuyu goes out of his way to make new ones with Ritsuka.
By contrast, Haruki and Akihiko are much more experienced in dating, having been in several with different people before the start of the series. In Akihiko’s case, he’s still in relationships with other people to varying degrees. To highlight this, the content is more graphic than the original anime. Sex is a prominent aspect of this arc as, not even ten minutes into the film, it’s clear that Akihiko and Ugetsu still sometimes sleep together. This was implied throughout the anime, but now it’s confirmed and the tone of the arc is set.
Their relationship is toxic. Both Akihiko and Ugetsu admit to hating each other and being bad for one another, but continue to become entangled with each other. Because of this, Akihiko’s mood drops dramatically, and he sleeps around. This leads to the biggest BL trope Given uses that a lot of anime fans want to get away from: dubious or lacking consent. It isn’t as extreme as other BL, but it’s still a scene that those who are sensitive to such themes should avoid. However, it isn’t accepted as it is in other series. Both characters regret what happened and trust needs to be rebuilt between them afterwards. Regardless, those who enjoy Given for its lack of sexual content should keep this information in mind.
Thematics In Given: The Movie
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While more mature, the content of the Given movie holds true to its main themes. While not about grief in the way that Mafuyu and Ritsuka’s story is, Akihiko and Haruki’s arc still focuses on moving on from the past. However, this is mainly from Akihiko’s side, as the major event is the breakdown of his relationship with Ugetsu. The anime stated that Ugetsu was Akihiko’s first love, and he explains that loving Ugetsu was the most painful thing he’s ever experienced. Yet, they live together in such a way that’s too intimate for them to be simple roommates.
Where Mafuyu’s moving on is tied into grief from Yuki’s death, Akihiko’s moving on is finally getting out of a relationship that brings more pain than pleasure. That struggle is portrayed wonderfully, ringing true for viewers who have been in similar situations. Akihiko and Ugetsu’s relationship is a mess. They broke up years ago, but they still act like a couple. They hate each other, are jealous of one another, but can’t get enough of their partner. Ugetsu tries to send Akihiko away, only for Akihiko to finally do it, and he falls apart. It’s hard to watch, but even more difficult to experience.
Just like how Mafuyu’s process is one step at a time, it takes time for Akihiko to go through this change. This arc begins in the summer, where Season 1 left off, and doesn’t end until spring. Nearly a year passes, and it takes all that time for Akihiko to truly recover. Anime fans who enjoy this aspect of Given would be remiss to overlook this portion of the story.
The Characters
For many fans, the reason they’re drawn to Given is Mafuyu and Ritsuka. Their meeting is the inciting incident for the series and, at this point, their relationship is the most developed. The most important parts of the story come from Mafuyu and his growth as a character, so some who watched the anime may even be satisfied with where it leaves off. The story can and does continue from that point, but the first concert and Mafuyu and Ritsuka deciding to start dating bring some closure.
That said, a lot of people will continue to consume a series if it means more content of their favorite characters. While Given presents itself as Ritsuka and Mafuyu’s story, it has since grown beyond that starting point. Like other BL series, there are multiple couples that the author puts focus on. The movie is the point in the manga where creator Natsuki Kizu makes this pivot. As a result, Uenoyama and Mafuyu take a backseat in the story, but are still present. Uenoyama’s absence is addressed early in the movie, when Haruki explains that he’s in remedial classes for two subjects. Meanwhile, Mafuyu flutters in and out of the story as he’s needed.
For fans who wanted more of the main pairing, this will be disappointing to see, especially if they’ve read the manga. This is because certain pieces of the manga were left out of the movie in order to make the plot more cohesive. In these cut sections, Ritsuka and Mafuyu have larger roles and a particular chapter addresses more of Mafuyu’s trauma since losing Yuki. While it’s understandable that these cuts were made, this may deter viewers who specifically care about Ritsuka and Mafuyu. Anime fans should not fret, though, as these bits were compiled into an OVA that is also available on Crunchyroll.
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