Given has reached its ending and the finale was as smooth and chill as the series. This arc, which led up to Ritsuka’s and Mafuyu’s romantic relationship and to the group’s first live performance, was full of shyness, regrets, laughter, music, and love. This anime’s ending was just as it should: gentle and promising. Allow me to be more specific though!

Plot

After Mafuyu’s big coming-out during the previous episode, Ritsuka’s in total chaos. We get a sneak peek inside his head and, oh God, it was worth the hype! This moment was a blast and one of the funniest in the series. Such a perfect episode intro.

So, after the boys confess their feelings to each other, they need… mom’s and dad’s blessings. By mom I mean Haruki and by dad Akihiro, since the first one scolds them like a motherly figure, while the other one is… chill and unbothered. Family symbolisms were strong in this episode!

Meanwhile Haruki’s birthday arrived, and we witnessed a full-of-cliches birthday celebration, right after the group’s first official promo photoshoot. Till the end, Ritsuka and Mafuyu are starting to build up a normal relationship and the little gingerhead seems to be healed from his past wounds, while Haruki admits to himself that he is tired by his one-sided crush on Akihiro.

Episode Highlights

Inner Thoughts: The visualisation of Ritsuka’s inner thoughts was priceless! The panic in his head made me wonder, why didn’t it happen more often throughout the whole series? It was definitely a moment to remember!

Feel you bros: While at the promo photoshoot, the boys kept bursting into laughter. The more the photographer asked them to stop, the more they weren’t able to. It was such a realistic moment, since it reminded me of myself -especially in my school days. When you’re not allowed to laugh, EVERYTHING IS FUNNY!

Themes & Trivia

Episode Title: This episode is called Song2. The title refers to the song by English rock band Blur, from their 1997 eponymous fifth studio album, which was released in April 1997.

Names: Mafuyu translates to ‘midwinter’ and Ritsuka usually means ‘summer’ or ‘flower’. Meanwhile, the name Akihiro translates into ‘sun’ or ‘clear’, while Haruki’s meaning depends on its Kanji characters and it could mean ‘hope’, ‘clear’ or ‘open’.

Comments

Since (the first season of) Given is completed, I have to point out what a magnificent manga adaptation it was. It followed and respected the writers’ vision and narrated the story in a decent, touching and hilarious way. Even though it was EXTREMELY slow-paced, it had a warm feeling and it felt very sincere and pure, avoiding some annoying yaoi elements. It was more of a slice-of-life series, which attributed a teenager’s gay mind perfectly. Even if it’s not my favorite genre, I have to admit that I’m contented with its route and that I wouldn’t mind watching a second season. So, cheers to the production! 

‘I love you…’

Will you miss Akihiro’s meme-material faces, the gripping drama, the shy confessions and the gay panic moments? Are you already waiting for 2020’s film adaptation? Can’t wait to read your comments about Given here, in MANGA.TOKYO!

Given

Summer 2019 | Anime Info | Simulcast