About “Given” in a few words:

“Given” is a poignant and emotional anime series based on the manga by Natsuki Kizu. The story follows the lives of four young musicians who form a band called “Given” and their journey to finding themselves through music and love. The series beautifully depicts the struggles and triumphs of these characters as they navigate their way through life, relationships, and their passion for music. With stunning animation, heartwarming moments, and a fantastic soundtrack, “Given” is a must-watch for any anime fan.

Meet the characters from Given

Ritsuka Uenoyama

Uenoyama is that slightly-rigid, hyper-competent guitarist who pretends he’s too cool to care but will absolutely lose his mind over a messy chord progression — and also over Mafuyu, quietly, like a tomato slowly ripening. He’s blunt, a little bossy, somehow both a perfectionist about his equipment and totally lazy with laundry (seriously, socks disappear). He has this dry humor and a teacher-ish streak (annoyingly patient when he wants to be), yet he’ll explode into embarrassed flailing when feelings get involved — which, haha, happens a lot. Also: he says he’s not sentimental but will keep concert tickets in a shoebox forever, don’t ask why.

Mafuyu Satō

Mafuyu is this soft-spoken, haunted singer whose voice is shockingly huge and honest — like a small storm that knocks everything off the shelf — and he writes songs like he’s trying to rescue memories. He’s timid in conversation but when he sings, there’s no pretending; everything becomes clear and catastrophic and beautiful all at once. He’s surprisingly practical in tiny ways (remembers birthdays, labels jars) and also totally spacey about time and names sometimes — in other words, adorable and infuriating. There’s a calm about him that’s actually fierce, and you can tell he’s carrying an old bruise but also healing in the exact same breath.

Haruki Nakayama

Haruki is the steady, quiet bassist who’s actually the glue of the whole group — unflashy, unbelievably patient, probably the person who remembers to pack the spare cables and the snacks. He’s a peacemaker, low-key hilarious when he lets loose, and has this Will-Probably-Start-A-Small-Local-Café vibe (also: suspiciously into organizing playlists). He can be stubborn in a polite way, and he gets peek-a-boo flustered like a secret softie, which is adorable and slightly terrifying if you’re emotionally unprepared. Also, random fact? He claims he hates spicy food but will demolish a ghost-pepper ramen at 2 a.m. if someone bets him — part responsible adult, part chaos.

Akihiko Kaji

Kaji is the charismatic mess you can’t help watching — talented, flirty, kind of reckless, and yet oddly protective like an older sibling who shows up late but brings cake. He wears confidence like a cape and uses humor as armor, but underneath there’s complicated history and loyalty that gets all knotted up; he’ll break your heart and fix it, probably in the same night. He’s talented on multiple instruments (show-off) and has a habit of disappearing for days and then reappearing with a wild story and another mysterious band T-shirt. Also he insists he’s “not clingy” but will learn your coffee order and remember it forever, so pick your battles.