User reviews

Impeccable animation style accompanied by astonishing music. All the songs were so amazing and set the tones and emotions so perfectly and that is the reason I recomment the anime version over the manga. Also, great choice of voice actors. Shintaro Asanuma and Takuya Eguchi raelly sold the characters' personality to me even before the anime explained of their story line.

The only downside for me was that I didn't see almost any character development in many of the characters. The whole character development only circled around Mafuyu Sato. Also, since a season 2 is never fully guaranteed, I would have liked it if the story line was a bit less messy and more polished. Some characters just came in without doing much and I don't think that little introduction takes away from the original story.

I rated this a 9 and not a 10 considering there are only 2 episodes but so far I'm already obsessed with the MC and the plot is amazing hopefully it just gets better when the season is over I may have changed my rating to a 10 or a 1 hope it's a 10

This story catches those small, everyday actions of being human. Those awkward silences, fluttery feelings, and pauses that are so hard to put into words are beautifully animated here. The characters are so easy to relate to and they interact so easily. This show is so mellow and restful but it covers hardships and trauma with grace that is rarely seen. I can't recommend this story enough. It made me laugh and fan girl and think - I love this story.

When given the basic premise of this show it at first just sounded really basic to me. The older character that had gotten tired of music and the new character that really wants to learn and has some talent. But after starting this show before the first episode was over I was already in love with the characters. The relatability of them, the way that they have legitimately funny scenes without having to go to over the top reactions. And this is I think the first Anime that i've ever seen that has openly gay characters that aren't used as a punchline or very strongly hinted at but not a 100% confirmed (looking at you Yuri on Ice) The music in the show, the relatability and the almost immediate depth of the characters has 100% drawn me into this show and will continue watching and hoping that more people give this show a chance

I don't usually write reviews but given has left me with an undeniable wave of emotions that i still haven't gotten over and i found myself here urging anyone to give this anime a try and hopefully enjoy the taste of art created by given. personally characters' development is the strongest point in this anime. the way feelings and thoughts' growth is being displayed is down earth realistic. i'm not the type to indulge myself in the musical genre although i'm a lover of music however this anime left me so connected to it artistically and emotionally. fuyuu no hanashi is among my favourite songs now and i can't spend a day without listening to it! absolutely a worthy anime to be repeated whenever you feel like you're losing the pleasure you get from your passion or when you feel disconnected and lost!

I just binged watched this and let me just say, even though I'm still excited since I finished it 15 minutes ago, I don't think I've ever been this touched in an anime before. It builds up the tension and then when it explodes it leaves you speechless. I loved every minute. I strongly recommend it.

This anime is filled with love and tragedies. so young and real and I'm left feeling so empty . currently reading the manga to fill the void ALSO THE SOUNDTRACK IS 10/10 !!!!!!!!!!

The drawings made me fall in love. my heart is filled with different emotions every second of the anime. I do not know what to say. This anime just made me very happy. I really want everyone to watch. Thank you to those who made this anime.

If you want a BL (Boys Love) anime which will warm your heart, make you cry and WILL make you crave more, look no further! This is the type of High school romance anime anyone would love.

You genuinely get a feel of what these characters are going through. Their backgrounds get explained but by bit, which makes you realise everyone has their secrets, their sad past that they rather not want to talk about or aren't sure how to express. You learn that communication is key, not only in love, but in healing the heartbroken...

A true masterpiece. I love BL, but most I've seen are just not really my cup of tea... BUT THIS IS PERFECTION!

Honestly, it's a really basic premise. But it appears so hard to find a show having gay main characters, yet not making a huge deal about it. The main focus it's somewhere else, the topics are rich and well displayed and the music depiction it's so accurate. I wanted to find something else like this and I haven't found it yet. Not a gay show, but a music-school-show with gay people as main characters. That shouldn't be that hard to come by, but it is, so please appreciate this absolute masterpiece

If there were any other higher stars in the ratings i would love to give it max stars....

As a musician, this show stroke a very sensitive string for me. I finally find a show that shows realism in the characters and the process of doing music. The characters are seriously a mood! The show shows the struggles that come from the making and playing music. Very few shows show art, specially music in a realistic light. They always seem to show it in a " cool" popular light or show very little of how much hard work it takes for the average person to master.This show in 11 episodes did amazingly well at portraying all the struggles that comes from being in the arts field.

The relationships were also all extremely cute. Finally a show that does justice to the LGBTQIA+ community without all the stereotypes and shows the relationship process in a natural way.

Amazing show! Highly recommend it especially to music lovers!

This anime is just mindblowing. It has best comedy timings, a good romantic bondings, a understating friendship bonding, a sad twist, a confusing mind, and the ost of ep9 thats one of my favorite part in the anime, that song is just awsome heart touching song, that song have a different vibe, i just loved this anime just awsome. A must watch anime

I honestly think this anime is so underrated. It really goes on so smoothly, I didn't even notice how I got to the end. The plot is both funny and emotional, it's quite a nice mix. If I were to describe it with one word I'd choose cute. I highly recommend giving it a watch.

I absolutely loved the anime. Emotionally touching show, will definitely make you cry.

Mafuyu's character development was just a worth watching journey.

I think you should absolutely watch this anime its so worth it!!

I'm gonna watch Given movie next which will continue the story between Haruki and Akihiko.

Still the content will feel less!!! Petition for the second season asap!

Given is the greatest BL Manga of all time and the anime adaption is spot on!

I accidentally watched a short video from this anime on YouTube and it immediately got me hooked. And after finishing the first eleven episodes I have to say, it's really really really great! The tension, the goosebumps you get, also the jokes and the way the animation is handled - just great! I also liked the way they handled the homosexuality of the characters. Very subtle and unforced. Apart from the visuals, you can look forward to hearing some good music. 9/10 just cause I'm waiting for something incredible to happen in the upcoming parts!

"Given" is one of those anime-series that won't instantly catch your eye; there is neither an extravagant presentation of an intimidatingly long cast of characters like in many famous shounen anime nor a rosy, playful feeling, so common in the shoujo genre. It's just four men and their music instruments, and yet that is all we need. The unassuming character of "Given" works to the series advantage since the viewer doesn't anticipate the emotional depth and relatability that permeates almost every scene, word and movement and leads to an impressive and cathartic climax. The art style follows a similar pattern; clean lines and colors connect with each other to create a well-known urban setting and a small cast of well-drawn characters with no extraordinary appearance. Nevertheless, this aesthetic choice leaves the scene open for the character's imperfections, eccentricities and relationships to shine. The four main characters are Mafuyu, a laconic and enigmatic boy with great charisma, Uenoyama, an intelligent, self-taught guitarist with a hot temper, Akihiko, a multitalented bohemian drummer and last but not least Haruhiko, the bass player who with his subtlety and kindness brings the band together. The series dives into the personal relationship of Mafuyu and Uenoyama, while "Given: the movie" focuses on Haruhiko and Akihiko, as they experience the results of Akihiko's relationship with Murata Ugetsu, an emotionally unstable violin prodigy. The communication of the characters, as well as the way they perceive themselves and the musical world, is deeply influenced by dramatic incidents and situations of the past include suicide, loneliness, suffocating possessiveness and unrequited love, among others. The path the lead characters walk is thorny and turbulent. However, both difficulties and bright moments of euphoria are treated with such a sensitivity and healthy optimism, that the viewer can't help but become a mirror of the character's feelings and the creator's humane and harmonic perception of reality. The catalyst for all the action is none other than music itself; poignant concerts of classical music, exciting performances in small, dark theaters, the sound of two guitars in the school stairs that bathe in sunlight, all are connected through the unique musical expressions that the characters use to interpret their reality into an understandable code, while the lyrics brim with the pain and incandescent hope that distinguish young people. If you are a lover of slice-of-life dramas, with beautifully constructed characters and soothing art look no further. It is a... "given" that you will be captivated.

I just LOVE this anime, it is so much different than yaoi, coming to age or anything else. It is SO emotionally charged and sensitive, and it causes you sympathy. The movie was good, but not as good as the anime. hence, we need a season 2 and know what is to happen next. Thank you, because this show made my year and it is so thoroughly done its outstanding. Thank you!

Let me rephrase that. This was not only the best anime i've ever watched, it might have been the best show. I finished it last night yet I still get shivers when I think of certain scenes.

I cried. I haven't cried in maybe two years (not technically good thing) but I saw myself get watery eyes and maybe a teardrop because of how emotional the whole journey was.

Firstly, this anime started off funny, where they were able to add in comedy without making tacky jokes or cheesy remarks. They were able to do a BL anime without making it seem like a big deal, which it isn't, and showed how teenagers in this day and age may react to it.

I really liked the realism of the characters because none of them were perfect, yet all of them were lovable.

Most importantly, the storyline was amazing. Seeing how the extensive backgrounds of characters let the watchers know what type of person they were. The way they introduced important topics and parts of the stories were also very creative.

Overall, i'm still shaken by how amazing Given was, and I will now go and listen to the music from the anime.

I wish to watch it's the second season. This series gives spark to my heart and start to believe again that everything happens for a reason. I relate so much to the movie.

My friend told me about this anime right before the movie came out and she said its her comfort anime, and now i see why. Honestly its so cute!!! it always puts a smile onto my face and its fairly short. I really hope there's a new season in 2021.Everything about this show is really good from the animation to the plot, to the writing to the characters. Its all done soo well. Thats one reason why u love this anime. I would recommend you to watch it its a softie, boys, short, type of romance anime with a plot.