8.3 / 10 (based on 3940 reviews)
The life and loves of the rock band Given, and the romantic relationships that develops between its members.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Music, Romance
Main Cast: Takuya Eguchi, Yuma Uchida, Shogo Yano, Masatomo Nakazawa
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1 season, 11 episodes, 23-minute runtime
Shows Most Like Given (2019)
Banana Fish (2018)
8.2 / 10 (based on 6738 reviews)
The story captures the war between a mafia boss named Dino and a young gang leader searching for redemption.
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama
Main Cast: Unshô Ishizuka, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Jun Fukuyama, Yoshimasa Hosoya
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1 season, 24 episodes, 22.0-minute runtime
SK8 the Infinity (2021)
8 / 10 (based on 3832 reviews)
Reki, a high school sophomore and skater, is addicted to “S,” a highly secret and dangerous downhill skateboarding race that takes place in an abandoned mine. The skaters are especially wild about the “beefs,” or heated battles that erupt in the races. Reki takes Langa, a transfer student returning to Japan after studying abroad, to the mine where the races are held. Langa, who has no skateboarding experience, finds himself pulled into the world of “S”.
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Sport
Main Cast: Kimmie Britt, Ciarán Strange, Zeno Robinson, Brianna Roberts
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1 season, 13 episodes
Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. (2018)
7.3 / 10 (based on 1073 reviews)
“I’ll make it so your body’s unable to forget mine.” Saijou Takato’s 5 year reign as the ‘Most Huggable No. 1’ has been snatched. Stealing his thunder is the newbie actor with a 3-year debut, Azumaya. Towards the stuffy hostile Takato, Azumaya’s sincere sparkling smile starts to become effective. Even as Takato sets his alert level on MAX, Azumaya catches Takato in his shameful drunken state and uses it to blackmail him. In exchange for Azumaya’s silence, Azumaya states, “Please let me hold you…?. Embrace me, who was the Most Huggable No.1?” What the heck is he saying. Includes a large quantity of other high suspense erotic stories.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Yuki Ono, Hiroki Takahashi, Satoshi Hino, Kôsuke Toriumi
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1 season, 13 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Super Lovers (2016)
6.9 / 10 (based on 1136 reviews)
While spending summer with his mother, Haru meets Ren, a boy newly adopted by his mother. Getting along with Ren isn’t easy as Haru’s goal is to “civilize” him by the time summer ends. Their relationship slowly improves as Haru spends more time with Ren and in return Ren steadily warms up to him. Can they become a “family” at the end of summer?!
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
Main Cast: Tomoaki Maeno, Junko Minagawa, Ayumu Murase, Takuma Terashima
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2 seasons, 22 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Bungou Stray Dogs (2016)
7.8 / 10 (based on 7301 reviews)
Nakajima Atsushi was kicked out of his orphanage, and now he has no place to go and no food. While he is standing by a river, on the brink of starvation, he rescues a man whimsically attempting suicide. That man is Dazai Osamu, and he and his partner Kunikida are members of a very special detective agency. They have supernatural powers and deal with cases that are too dangerous for the police or the military. They’re tracking down a tiger that has appeared in the area recently, around the time Atsushi came to the area. The tiger seems to have a connection to Atsushi, and by the time the case is solved, it is clear that Atsushi’s future will involve much more of Dazai and the rest of the detectives.
Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery
Main Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Yûto Uemura, Kaiji Tang, Yoshimasa Hosoya
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3 seasons, 37 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Free! (2013)
7.4 / 10 (based on 3308 reviews)
Free! revolves around members of a high school boy’s swimming team. Four boys-Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa and Rin-all participated in a swimming tournament shortly before graduating elementary school and later parted ways. Years later, they reunite when Rin challenges Haruka to a race and wins. Nagisa decides to get Haruka and Makoto back swimming together and add a new recruit named Rei to form the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Sport
Main Cast: Jamie Marchi, Johnny Yong Bosch, Akeno Watanabe, Nobunaga Shimazaki
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3 seasons, 42 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
In the realm of music-themed anime, “Given” stands out for its authentic portrayal of love, grief, and the healing power of music. This 2019 series, based on the manga of the same name by Natsuki Kizu, has carved a niche for itself, resonating with audiences for its heartfelt narrative and complex characters. Let’s explore what makes “Given” a must-watch, sans the usual fluff.
The Premise
At its core, “Given” is a story about four individuals who come together through their shared love for music. The narrative primarily revolves around Ritsuka Uenoyama, a high school student disillusioned with playing guitar until he meets Mafuyu Sato, a shy classmate with a mysterious guitar. The series delves into their evolving relationship, the formation of their band, and the personal growth of each band member.
Characters with Depth
One of “Given’s” strongest suits is its well-developed characters. Each member of the band is not just a trope or a stereotype; they are individuals with their own backstories, fears, and dreams.
- Ritsuka Uenoyama is more than just a talented guitarist; he’s someone struggling with complacency and a lack of direction until Mafuyu’s voice reignites his passion.
- Mafuyu Sato carries a heavy heart, burdened by a tragic past. His journey from a reserved individual to expressing himself through music is both poignant and inspiring.
- Haruki Nakayama and Akihiko Kaji round out the band, each dealing with their own romantic and personal dilemmas. Their stories add layers to the narrative, making the band feel like a microcosm of real-life struggles and triumphs.
Music as a Catalyst
Music is not just a backdrop in “Given”; it’s a character, a catalyst, and a healer. The series showcases how music can express what words cannot, bridge gaps between people, and even aid in the healing process. The attention to musical detail is evident, from the way characters handle their instruments to the performance scenes, which are animated with care and passion.
Representation Matters
“Given” is also noteworthy for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships. The romance between Ritsuka and Mafuyu is handled with sensitivity and realism, avoiding the common pitfalls of fetishization or melodrama that some other series fall into. It’s a refreshing take that has earned the series praise for its positive representation.
The Emotional Payoff
Perhaps the most compelling reason to watch “Given” is for its emotional depth. This is not a series that shies away from the hard topics—grief, loss, love, and healing are all explored with a gentle yet unflinching honesty. The emotional payoff, particularly in the latter half of the series, is significant. It’s rare to find a show that balances light-hearted moments with profound emotional revelations as well as “Given” does.
Soundtrack and Animation
No discussion of “Given” would be complete without mentioning its soundtrack and animation. The music, especially the songs performed by the band, are not only integral to the story but are genuinely good tracks that stand on their own. The animation, particularly during the concert scenes, captures the energy and emotion of live performances, adding another layer to the series’ appeal.
What Others Say
Don’t just take my word for it. “Given” has received critical acclaim and has a dedicated fanbase. Viewers often cite the realistic portrayal of relationships, the quality of the music, and the emotional depth of the story as reasons for their attachment to the series. It’s a series that stays with you, prompting reflection on your own experiences with love, loss, and the healing power of music.
Final Thoughts
“Given” is more than just a music-themed anime. It’s a series that tackles complex emotions and themes with grace and sincerity. Whether you’re drawn to it for the music, the characters, or the representation, there’s something in “Given” that resonates. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the universal language of music.
In a sea of options, “Given” stands out for its authenticity and emotional resonance. It’s a series that doesn’t rely on cliches to make its point, instead offering a genuine exploration of its themes. For anyone looking for a series that combines music, romance, and real human emotion, “Given” is a melody that’s hard to forget.