Given

Given is an anime that came out 2019 and ended up blowing up. One of the reasons as to why I believe this happened is because of how it was a 'yaoi' that didn't sexualize gay men and instead focused on the characters' developments. It's well-known that yaois tend to sexualize gay men, which is why the fandom that follows it is usually toxic.

Anyway, Given follows the plotline of a group of boys in a makeshift band. Mafuyu, a reserved and introverted teenage boy with a mysterious and traumatic past, carries around an electric guitar without the knowledge of how to play. Uenoyama is an abrasive boy in the class next to him, who has been playing the guitar for years.

As the two boys start to understand each other and learn from each other, both in their emotions and how to play the guitar, a romantic feelings start to blossom. However, Mafuyu has been running away from his past instead of facing it and it has come back to bite him. Tasked with creating a song for the band that joined that Uenoyama is part of, his troublesome past won't let him move forward and clear his head of all the bad memories; he doesn't know how to put his vague emotions into words.

The character and plot development of each character is beautiful and enjoyable to watch through the short but satisfying 11 episodes. There is a small romantic subplot between two of the other men in the band Uenoyama and Mafuyu are apart of, named Haruki and Akihiko. This, however, is loosely touched on throughout the span of the anime; however, it's hoped that it will be discussed further in the upcoming movie.

The art style is what completely captivates many watchers at first; it's gorgeous and pleasing to the eye. It is more of the aesthetic appearance rather than the 'attention to detail' that is overwhelmingly stunning, although the articulate brushstrokes is definitely a plus.

This is genuinely a good watch and is something that would be worth watching at least once. The soundtrack is beautiful, also, which is just another plus; good music to suit a good anime is always pleasing.