it's true. The real tragedy in this series is that Yuki really was Mafuyu's soulmate. But he's gone now. How can you possible recover from that? This manga shows that journey for Mafuyu and also how Uenoyama stumbles into his first love. There is minimal drama so far from this couple, but I appreciate that since this is about how to move on from the ultimate heartbreak. I just read the strawberry swing chapters and GODDAMNIT WHY SENSEI

on the other hand, the other current couple, Akihiko and Haruki, I'm going to keep my eye on how it develops further. STILL side-eyeing the shit out of Akihiko (HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SON YOU BASTARD) and I feel like his arc with the other violin guy isn't quite done yet.

the most recent couple to develop, between Mafuyu's friends, is definitely my current drug and exactly the shit I live for. GIVE ME MORE OF THIS PLEASE.

As much as I like BL genre it's full of extreme melodrama and bizarre plot tropes so I wasn't certain how the story would work out but no regrets. There are many stories that deal with the deal of a LI but few that capture the feeling of loss and moving on from the event as well as Given. I like how there's more than romance though as it's about the band's struggles and achievements.

Art is simple and clean which translated well into the anime which is faithful to the original. Although I'm not that into music but I was moved by the lyrics and unique piece composed by the characters. There's less drama for the main couple vs the side couple which is nice for a change of pace. Some people may dislike the slow pace but it felt realistic and characters didn't spend 20 vol debating if they really liked someone.

I read until chapter 29 far. It’s a cute story indeed but I kinda don’t sympathize with Mafuyu and Ritsuka so far. I like all the other characters a lot tho, especially Kaji and Ugetsu. Maybe the story isn’t anything new or special but what I really enjoy about this is Manga are the jokes that randomly appear. It made me laugh out loud a few times even when I was on the train.

I love the story so much!

I'm writing this again so I just will make a short commentary.
It has some flaws but I could find myself in the same predicament as some of the characters and cry with them. Don't get your hopes up with the main couple as I think their relationship was the least memorable but I love mostly everything else. Overall a good read.

This review is based on reading an English translation of Given through chapter 28, the end of volume 5. The scanlator says chapter 29 is not yet available in Japanese.

Minuses (-)

(-) The author repeats a very common BL (boys' love, shounen-ai, yaoi) trope: a male character thinks he is abnormal because he is in love with another male. Japan is many years behind other countries in terms of LGBT rights. It isn't even one of the 29 countries that legally perform and recognize same-sex marriage (see Wikipedia for a list).

(-) Several of the characters' names are unusual. This is awkward. What if calling your friend's name took seven syllables (u e no ya ma ku n)?

(-) Mafuyu only comes to life when he's singing. That doesn't happen very often. Let's hope he sounds good in the anime.

Pluses (+)

(+) Given has a plot, and it's an engaging one. One major theme is how music makes people resonate, or sympathize, with each other.

(+) Very few BL manga are made into anime. Given is being adapted into anime because it appeals to a wider audience than just fujoshi, who might even prefer BL that are all sex and no plot.

(+) It seems that the author really meant to tell the story of Akihiko and Haruki.

(+) The author uses humor very naturally, without distracting from the story.

(+) The drawing is gorgeous. For example, look at the hands. If only other BL authors could draw so well.

... Last updated on August 27th, 2019, 12:46am

This is a very meh manga overall. I started reading it because I'm a BL fan and enjoy stories about bands, but it's nothing special.

The main problem is that the main couple has no chemistry. Zero. The love story isn't very convincing and well, it's a BL, so that's a huge flaw. Uenoyama, the main character, is a good character, but his love interest, Mafuyu, is incredible bland and boring and a very generic character. You have seen that same archetype dozens of times.

On the other hand Haruki and Kaji, the secondary couple, were charming and fun characters and had an interesting relationship and struggles, I actually enjoyed their scenes, buuuuut then it went into a non con direction giving me a very sour taste. It's a shame. It gets better, but it's hard to ignore some of their previous problematic scenes.

The art and character designs are pretty generic too. It's not like it's bad, far from it, but it's very soulless. I have seen dozens of BL manga with this same art style. If you don't mind generic art styles, then it's good. But I like art to have a little more punch and meaning to it.

That being said, the scenes revolving around the band and music are good and compelling. But when the best thing about a BL manga is the band plot, something is failing for sure. It's aan okay read but there are better things to read.

The first 3-4 chapters are really, really slow and - just in my opinion - pretty boring. From there onward, though, everything gets more interesting because of a huge revelation. So I'd say, if you're bored keep reading at least until you've completed the first volume. I would have preferred a more consistent pace, but it's still pretty okay. The characters are cute, the story is nice. Art is pretty good, too. I wouldn't call this a masterpiece, but it looks like a shounen-ai that's worth reading. I think the mangaka is good at conveying deep feelings such as love, loneliness and sadness, which definitely is one of this series' strong points. Although I wasn't that much engrossed in this series, I still was moved by some scenes (especially those where the characters reflect upon love and other important topics). So that's a plus. I'm also in love with the topic of and that made me way more interested in the series. I think it's a serious topic but it looks like the mangaka is treating it adequately. There's just one thing I'm not too sure about, and that is . All in all, a good series so far. For now, I recommend it. [VOLUMES READ: 2].

... Last updated on March 7th, 2018, 5:48pm

The problem with this story is that Mafuyu shared such a deep connection with his previous lover, Yuuki. This was emphasized throughout the series and it was even mentioned that they were each other's other half and they completed each other absolutely.

Now, Mafuyu is Ue's first love and it's very apparent that Ue loves him dearly. However, Mafuyu may have said that he loves Ue but he is still healing from his previous traumatic experience. He doesn't look like someone that can move so fast, jumping from one relationship to another. Honestly, it seems like he just wants to persuade himself that he's currently in love so that he can occupy his mind with this and not think about the past. For that reason, it seems to me that he's just using Ue to help him heal and figure out things while at the same time, to him, Ue's existence is not that big and meaningful. When you've found the ultimum, how can you compromise for something less? You just can't. You are just kidding yourself.

This story is breaking my heart for that reason. Because no matter how much I want Ue's love to succeed, I know that he'll only ever be someone's replacement. Even if Mafuyu forgets how he spent a big part of his life with Yuuki, his first love, the strong feelings he felt will always stay there in his heart. And I don't want to read a lovestory about a guy that picked up a broken person and tried hard to become his second-best ideal lover. It's a very "japanese-like" concept and it's not my cup of tea.

I'm at a loss for words... This manga is seriously unbelievably beautiful. I've read it in one go. :')

I feel like a utter idiot because the truth is I avoided it for the longest time as the cover reminded me of Yoru to asa no uta which I seriously hated. But I'm so damn grateful I gave it a chance !!...

Where to start ? Well everything about it is just so freaking awesome...
Every character is lovable, the plot is damn great, everything falls into place so naturally, the art is mind blowing, the emotions are so strong, there's so much feelings in their expressions it just strikes you like BAM ! The relationships between the characters were so realistic, the humor was damn good, and I absolutely love how music played an important role and wasn't just here for show.
Moreover the angst was MAGNIFICENT. I mean I understood something was up from the first page but I didn't expect it to be so well thought out nor so on point. And the kiss was absolutely PERFECT.
Honestly it was just down right AMAZING.

It was kinda funny how everyone seemed gay in it though haha xD it was almost like there were no straight guy to be seen around ! But does it matter ? Naaaaah because ofc we all ship them haha x)

Ahem. Anyway, there's no way I can explain how incredible this one is but just so you know I don't give 10 easily. READ IT NOW !!!
I can't wait for the final volume !! TT^TT

Edit : OMG and I've just realized I already knew this author because she's the one who's made the best Iwakawa djs I've read !! Bless this woman !

... Last updated on April 1st, 2017, 5:37am