Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
Summary: Since the night of "given's" first live performance, the relationship between Mafuyu Satou and Ritsuka Uenoyama has been smooth sailing. Their shared love of music reinforces their bond, and every moment spent together makes them more inseparable. Nevertheless, there will come times when they will suffer setbacks, with both of them consumed by their inner turmoil.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Since the night of "given's" first live performance, the relationship between Mafuyu Satou and Ritsuka Uenoyama has been smooth sailing. Their shared love of music reinforces their bond, and every moment spent together makes them more inseparable. Nevertheless, there will come times when they will suffer setbacks, with both of them consumed by their inner turmoil.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Given: Uragawa no Sonzai Trailers
Given: Uragawa no Sonzai Pictures
Given: Uragawa no Sonzai Review
Given: Uragawa no Sonzai — Since the night of "given's" first live performance, the relationship between Mafuyu Satou and Ritsuka Uenoyama has been smooth sailing. 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 OVA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.13). 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: Uragawa no Sonzai 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
Satou, Mafuyu
Main
Yano, Shougo
Japanese
Uenoyama, Ritsuka
Main
Uchida, Yuuma
Japanese
Itaya, Shougo
Supporting
Takanashi, Kengo
Japanese
Kaji, Akihiko
Supporting
Eguchi, Takuya
Japanese
Kashima, Hiiragi
Supporting
Imai, Fumiya
Japanese
Nakayama, Haruki
Supporting
Nakazawa, Masatomo
Japanese
Ueki, Ryou
Supporting
Amano, Hirosato
Japanese
Yagi, Shizusumi
Supporting
Ban, Taito
Japanese
Staff
Higa, Yuuji
Producer
Matsumoto, Miho
Producer
Oohashi, Akiyo
Director
Ayana, Yuniko
Script
Higami, Aya
Animation Director
Imamura, Naoya
Special Effects
Itou, Rie
Editing
Kikuta, Hiromi
Sound Supervisor
Kizu, Natsuki
Original Creator
Kojima, Yuuka
Key Animation
Koyama, Chiharu
In-Between Animation, 2nd Key Animation
Matsuzawa, Takeshi
Background Art
Nagata, Haruna
Chief Animation Director
Nagatome, Ai
2nd Key Animation, In-Between Animation
Nakagawa, Sena
Director of Photography
Ninomiya, Nanako
Animation Director
Oosawa, Mina
Character Design
Sasagawa, Mitsuyuki
Animation Director, Key Animation
Shibuya, Kentarou
2nd Key Animation, In-Between Animation
Tsunadou, Eiko
Background Art