Review of given

[*THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION.] For the first time in a long time, I feel a very strong urge to write something about a show – to spill my thoughts and let them flow out in the open. Given is not particularly magnificent, in fact, the story that follows is rather simplistic and not unheard of. A lot of people might even find it too cliché. But it is undeniably a bittersweet, memorable one. Given is packed with pain, loneliness, sorrow, longing, loss, hope and happiness and a bunch of others that can’t be named with words. I’ve been looking forward towatching Given since it started airing, half-expecting it to be good and half-expecting it to be bad. I’m glad to say that it secures its place in my heart, and hopefully it will continue to stay there in the future.

In the beginning episodes, Given starts off a bit slow, boring even, but with sure progress. Sometimes, it almost appears purposeless and has no clear intention as of where the story leads us to. Is it a story about Mafuyu’s journey to learn music and being accepted into a band? Is it a story of Mafuyu’s loneliness? Or is it a story of Mafuyu’s and Uenoyama’s blossoming relationship? But then I realised, unfortunately belatedly, that all of those could be the answer – that it is Mafuyu’s confusion and uncertainty of himself and his own life that is reflected in the early episodes is exactly the way I should feel about approaching the show. Given shows us the many forms of uncertainty carried by the characters, and how they live with it, and that viewers should be implored to be just as uncertain. I would admit that it isn’t until episode 9 that I think all the previous eight episodes are worth to make up for the moment of epiphany – from the reason of emptiness of Mafuyu’s eyes, to the guitar and its broken strings that is fixed again. Given is really good at making you experience along the feelings of its characters, only leaves us with little clues by crafting fragmented pieces and make everything falls into places in one blow. Surely, the build-ups make me frustrated from time to time but they’re worth it for the sheer amount of clarity and emotions that come with the revelation.

There are things I wish to be better explained and/or delved into deeper, mostly in regards to the side characters and their stories. Some things are out of place in the whole picture that the story tells. Some things/characters are introduced but not developed enough as they become static in the background. I think these problems might not arise in the manga (I haven’t read it so I don’t know) as the anime adaptation has only 11 episodes to offer to make justice of it. Short and flawed as it may, Given is still beautifully unfolded.

When it comes to the characters, they’re all mostly likeable. The two main characters, especially, go through a tremendous process of coming to an understanding of themselves and the people around them that play parts in their life. By the end of the show, I can say for sure that all of them are at least a little bit different, a little bit more mature from the moment we’re introduced to them.

Mafuyu is unquestionably one of the saddest characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to come across. He isn’t a very bright kid to begin with, but there is a layer of unfathomable sadness that is ever present in his expression, in the manner in which he speaks and acts. The fact that he simmers in his sorrow quietly and lives with it makes my heart ache for him. I’m really happy that he finds acceptance and release, or I wouldn’t be able to part with him with proper closure. Mafuyu is, to me, both simple and complex character. He is simple in the way that he needs guidance and support to make himself, for the lack of better word, human. He’s someone who requires a little push and encouragement to go on. We see in his childhood how he clings to Yuki to bring light to his life and how Mafuyu probably regards him as more than just a lover but also a confidante and a family – and so does Yuki. Later, he seeks out that solace from Uenoyama in a similar way. I think this makes him into a character that is very realistic and human. Mafuyu’s feelings and thoughts are not as clear and accessible, much less present in his words and actions, and because of these they create a profundity to his character. As for Uenoyama, to watch the journey of his growth as a character is fulfilling. We see his moments of weakness where his temper flares, but there’s a distinguished innocence in the way that his emotions unfold. He reacts to things quickly and honestly, explosive and almost child-like. I find great amusement of Uenoyama’s “gay panic” moments that just highlight the side of him that is sincere and not usually visible in his exterior. I also appreciate his simple kindness, as shown at the beginning towards Mafuyu when he decides to mend his guitar when he knows not of him. To be honest, I can go on and on when it comes to these people, for they’ve left imprints of their presence in my mind.

Overall, the story in itself is not anything special, but I believe it is the strength in each character as they faced their life that is intended. Given wants to show the process of growing up as a person, and the pain and happiness that comes with it. More than a story, it's a journey. And I'm thankful to have been a part of it.