ギヴン
"Can't say goodbye, I'm still drifting with your echoes."
given - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
Boys in the Band
The first episode masterfully sets the tone for the series. It introduces Ritsuka's musical ennui and his fateful meeting with the quiet, mysterious Mafuyu in the stairwell. The initial interactions, Ritsuka fixing Mafuyu's guitar, and the first glimpse of the band's dynamic lay a compelling foundation for the emotional journey to come.
This episode is crucial as it marks the inciting incident of the entire series. The meeting between Ritsuka and Mafuyu is the catalyst that sets both of their character arcs in motion and begins the process of forming the band that will eventually be named "Given".
Like Someone in Love
Ritsuka hears Mafuyu sing for the first time, a short, humming melody that leaves him utterly stunned. The raw, beautiful potential in Mafuyu's voice completely captivates Ritsuka, shaking him out of his musical apathy and igniting a desire to have Mafuyu join his band as the vocalist.
This is a major turning point. It's the moment Ritsuka's passion for music is reawakened and the band's future lineup begins to take shape. It solidifies the central musical and emotional connection between Ritsuka and Mafuyu.
A Winter Story
Universally regarded as the series' climax, this episode features the band's first live performance. After struggling with writer's block, Mafuyu steps up to the microphone and delivers a heart-wrenching, cathartic performance of "Fuyu no Hanashi." The song, combined with flashbacks of his relationship with Yuki, finally allows him to release all his pent-up grief, guilt, and love.
This episode is the emotional core of the entire series. It provides the resolution to Mafuyu's primary internal conflict, reveals the full story of his past, and culminates in Ritsuka and Mafuyu's relationship taking a definitive romantic turn with a post-performance kiss.
Wonderwall
Dealing with the emotional aftermath of the concert and their kiss, Ritsuka and Mafuyu navigate their new, unspoken feelings. The episode explores their awkward but sweet interactions as they both come to terms with the fact that they are in love. Mafuyu also begins to reconnect with his childhood friend, Hiiragi.
This episode solidifies the romantic relationship between the two protagonists. It moves the story from a climax of grief to a new beginning of love, showing that life goes on after catharsis and laying the groundwork for future stories.
Song2
In the final episode of the season, Mafuyu explicitly confesses his romantic feelings to Ritsuka. The band celebrates their successful performance and officially decides on a name: "Given," a tribute to the guitar given to Mafuyu by Yuki and the new life given to them through music. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with the four members looking toward their future together.
This episode brings the first major story arc to a satisfying conclusion. It cements the band's identity and the central romance, ending the season with a sense of hope, closure, and anticipation for what comes next for the characters.