Given Movie 1
Summary: The band "given"—comprised of Ritsuka Uenoyama, Mafuyu Satou, Haruki Nakayama, and Akihiko Kaji—has advanced to the final screening of the Countdown-fes Amateur Contest, in which they will be judged on their live act. Although enthusiastic, they worry about having only one original song to perform.
Mafuyu embraces the idea of learning more about music in order to create new, emotionally resonant songs. In this regard, he unexpectedly receives help from Ugetsu Murata, Akihiko's on-again, off-again lover. Ugetsu has unsuccessfully tried to let go of Akihiko, who himself is torn between lingering feelings for his past and an uncertain resolve for the future.
As the competition draws near, Haruki uncharacteristically begins to doubt his place in the band and the trust he shares with Akihiko. It is a given that not all attachments last forever, but it remains to be seen what can be salvaged from the ruins of heartbreak—or if only regrets will endure.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
The band "given"—comprised of Ritsuka Uenoyama, Mafuyu Satou, Haruki Nakayama, and Akihiko Kaji—has advanced to the final screening of the Countdown-fes Amateur Contest, in which they will be judged on their live act. Although enthusiastic, they worry about having only one original song to perform.
Mafuyu embraces the idea of learning more about music in order to create new, emotionally resonant songs. In this regard, he unexpectedly receives help from Ugetsu Murata, Akihiko's on-again, off-again lover. Ugetsu has unsuccessfully tried to let go of Akihiko, who himself is torn between lingering feelings for his past and an uncertain resolve for the future.
As the competition draws near, Haruki uncharacteristically begins to doubt his place in the band and the trust he shares with Akihiko. It is a given that not all attachments last forever, but it remains to be seen what can be salvaged from the ruins of heartbreak—or if only regrets will endure.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
Warning: Array to string conversion in /home/hianime.me.uk/public_html/anime.php on line 243
Array
Given Movie 1 Trailers
Given Movie 1 Pictures
Given Movie 1 Review
Given Movie 1 — The band "given"—comprised of Ritsuka Uenoyama, Mafuyu Satou, Haruki Nakayama, and Akihiko Kaji—has advanced to the final screening of the Countdown-fes Amateur Contest, in which they will be judged on their live act. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Boys Love, Drama conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.11). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Given Movie 1 offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Boys Love, Drama, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Kaji, Akihiko
Main
Eguchi, Takuya
Japanese
Kaji, Akihiko
Main
Scott, Jonah
English
Murata, Ugetsu
Main
Asanuma, Shintaro
Japanese
Murata, Ugetsu
Main
Tatum, J. Michael
English
Nakayama, Haruki
Main
Nakazawa, Masatomo
Japanese
Nakayama, Haruki
Main
Chang, Yung-I
English
Itaya, Shougo
Supporting
Takanashi, Kengo
Japanese
Itaya, Shougo
Supporting
Cote, Greg
English
Kashima, Hiiragi
Supporting
Imai, Fumiya
Japanese
Kashima, Hiiragi
Supporting
Wang, Howard
English
Satou, Mafuyu
Supporting
Yano, Shougo
Japanese
Satou, Mafuyu
Supporting
McInnis, Brandon
English
Ueki, Ryou
Supporting
Amano, Hirosato
Japanese
Ueki, Ryou
Supporting
Fu, Stephen
English
Uenoyama, Ritsuka
Supporting
Uchida, Yuuma
Japanese
Uenoyama, Ritsuka
Supporting
Grelle, Jessie James
English
Yagi, Shizusumi
Supporting
Ban, Taito
Japanese
Yagi, Shizusumi
Supporting
Waters, Joshua
English
Yatake, Kouji
Supporting
Takeuchi, Ryouta
Japanese
Yatake, Kouji
Supporting
Goff, Kellen
English
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Matsumoto, Miho
Producer
Herek, Samantha
Assistant Producer
Yamaguchi, Hikaru
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Kikuta, Hiromi
Sound Director
Ezoe, Hitomi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kanamori, Youko
Episode Director, Storyboard
Uchiyama, Mana
Episode Director
Centimillimental
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Composition
Amisaki, Ryouko
Key Animation
An, Linh
In-Between Animation
Ayana, Yuniko
Screenplay
Gotou, Ryouta
Background Art
Hawkinson, Peter
Recording Engineer
Hirose, Tomohito
Animation Director
Hong, Nhung
In-Between Animation
Imamura, Naoya
Special Effects
Kamata, Yuusuke
Animation Director
Kim, Sang-min
Key Animation, Animation Director
Kim, Won-hee
2nd Key Animation