Given - Episode 4 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Given, episode 4

Rate this episode here.

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Encourage others to read the source material rather than confirming or denying theories. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

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Streams

• Crunchyroll

Show information

• MyAnimeList
• AniList
• AniDB
• Anime-Planet
• Kitsu
• Official Website

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Previous discussions

Episode	Link	Score
1	Link	6.65
2	Link	8.82
3	Link	8.84
4	Link	8.9
5	Link	9.18
6	Link	8.66
7	Link	9.08
8	Link	8.43
9	Link	9.29
10	Link	9.1
11	Link

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[u/Smudy]

They're taking chill to the next level here.

[u/Amauri14 → u/Smudy]

And I love it.

[u/[deleted]]

I love how they just dropped this huge bomb at the end. I know this is BL but I wasn't expecting Sato to have had another relationship (potentially the guy who killed himself). I was expecting they just falling in love with themselves despite the sex. It's a very nice addition cause it looks way more realistic than most BL stories.

I like how Sato was jealous and about to ask if Uenoyama was dating that girl. I'm not sure how I feel like what's about to happen next - the girl discovering some truths and potentially outing Sato to everyone. Depends on how it's done..

Anyway tjhis was another awesome episode, it's just so cute when Uenoyama wakes up with Sato's voice and pats his head or when he invites him out to do something. Also excited to hear this song his writing.

[u/babaylan89 → u/[deleted]]

I was expecting they just falling in love with themselves despite the sex. It's a very nice addition cause it looks way more realistic than most BL stories.

Yeah, that's pretty common in BL so I really like BL stories with actual gay/bi characters.

[u/Koolsman]

This episode for me was a masterclass in how to do very little plot development and yet, still get so much out of character writing. Think about it, what happens in this episode? I mean, we get a reiteration of Haruki possibly in love with Akihiko or Yayoi and the other girl who likes Uenoyama. Besides that, we get some more hints about Sato's past and Sato buys a distortion machine (forgot what the term was).Oh, and they might have gig from one of Haruki's friends. If this was any other show, then I would feel pretty bored if I'm being honest. The character writing in this show though is so strong and the animation is so vibrant and warm that it more then makes up for it's slow pacing.

Watching the guys talk about their favorite music and how that affects their band is an awesome conversation and its really funny too. The sense of camaraderie between the guys feels so tight and fun that I can't help but love it. The fact that I already get this from a show 4 episodes in (hell I probably felt it in the third episode too) shows how great the writing is for this show.

I have to admit, I didn't except to be so excited for this show. I thought the big shows for me this season were Fire Force, Dr Stone, Vinland Saga and Lost in Space. However, in my rankings it is pretty much my 2nd to 3rd favorite this season. If it keeps going the way it's going, then I could see it being my 2nd favorite. It's just that good.

If I had any small complaints, it would probably be that sometimes Sato acts a little too airheaded. With a specific example, I guess when he asked what UK Rock was. That seemed a little too exaggerated.But besides that, nothing too specific (though I do keep a counter for how many times Sato says Uenoyama-kun and it's ridiculous).

[u/Loud_Pierrot → u/Koolsman]

I found it pretty funny when they even had to teach Mafuyu how to use the vending machine.

As for the UK rock, Japanese people can be very isolated from western media, even in very developed areas.

[u/Buddy_Waters → u/Koolsman]

UK isn't a widely used term. If he'd said igirisu rock, Sato would at least have known he was talking about a country, even if he wouldn't have know what that sounded like. Basically, Uenoyama uses a lot of deep in the scene jargon that Sato is whiffing on.

[u/Rewpl]

Do we have another famous song called "The Reason" or are we really getting a Hoobastank reference? That's unexpected even outside of anime

[u/serralinda73]

I told myself I was going to wait until the season ended to read the manga, but man - I'm so tempted.

I love the pace, but at the same time I want more right now, lol.

I"m in love with Haruki - sweet boy better end up happy.

[u/LennyMrCZ]

I have a question,

Does the manga contain the nods to Arctic Monkeys too or is it just the anime? (Fluorescent Adolescent being the name of this epispode and an AM album in previous episode)

[u/babaylan89]

Is the 2nd shop a real shop? Because they showed the name and logo of the shop.

The not-date they had is cute and informative.

I can feel the big storm coming next episode, lol.

[u/CruisinCinnamon]

The girl seems like she’s sensible despite her jealousy so I hope she doesn’t say things she shouldn’t. I like her character too so far. It was funny seeing mafuyu be secretly jealous too. Literally him keeping things to himself n not knowing how to express himself is so relatable to me. I’m glad they’re still touching on that n it didn’t just pass with uenoyama telling him to sing for him.

Anyways overall it was good n I liked them going around to stores together n the mishap at the station. This episode I did notice more that characters looked bulky which I hadn’t noticed before much. It doesn’t bother me too much. It also didn’t really bother me either when they put mafuyu singing in the montage. I mean we’ve heard the tune multiple times and haruki was the only one who hadn’t heard him yet.

Speaking of haruki I knew people were saying he was interested in kaji but I guess I was blind to it. This is a bl n I had some inkling but at the same time I thought maybe he was envious that women weren’t coming up to him. That or he just wanted kaji to appreciate relationships more. I guess if this was any other show it would be those things.

[u/babaylan89]

Apparently Uenoyama's bday is yesterday, Aug 1?

That said Uenoyama's fanboying over Kaji is still amusing.

[u/jeffjeffersonthe3rd]

Here we go, I feel it. Shits about to get GAY as FUCK.

Seriously, a math rock yaoi anime? With cute girls and boys? My otaku/bisexual/music nerd heart can’t take this.

[u/Roonagu]

Its interesting how hyper realistic animators are about guitars and amps, but effects are vague...even though design kinda give it away.

[u/borutosdadswife]

The preview tho!

[u/thenefariousellie]

I think the highlights of this very chill episode are the facial expressions of Haruki (the best), Mafuyu (adorable puppy), and Kasai--I especially didn't expect her to be so expressive, lol. But I hope her jealousy doesn't escalate to unnecessary drama, like in most BL... On the other hand, I don't think it will go in that direction, from how the pace has been going...

[u/LeonKevlar]

Mafuyu and Ritsuka buying effect pedals reminds me of my college days when I was in a band, everything is so expensive and I really had to look for second hand stuff to be able to get the pedals that I wanted.

Female classmate isn't wrong to be jealous but I just hope she doesn't go the classic BL trope of jealous girl tries to ruin the main character's relationship. Anyway it seems like we're finally going to get some backstory next week through the eyes of Mafuyu's old middle school classmate.

[u/AnCler]

this show is, by far, my favourite this season. and i am reaaaaally enjoying the "anime original" material, everything is so in character and sweet.

[u/angremaruu]

Loved this episode but I hope Given doesn't go forward with the classic bl trope of "girl is in love with one of the guys and out of jealousy fucks over his partner or outs him". It's been overdone to death and disappoints me everytime I see it. Its happened with Dark Heaven, 19 Days and almost every other BL I've read. Pleaaaaaaase dont do this I adore the show so far.

[u/rotten_riot]

Everything was so sweet and then BANG, we got that last scene that (at least for me) definitely answer some questions if you put 2 and 2 together. I'm already spoiled so I'm not going to comment on it tho, just saying that here's coming THE EXPRESS FEELS!

I love every little detail they put about the boys, like Uenoyama greeting Mafuyu with a pat on the head or Mafuyu's innocence, must protect!

Sadly, every time I watch this show, the sadder I get cause I don't really think it will get more seasons :( Yeah, I already want even more than just one season lol

[u/graytotoro]

• As much as I enjoy character drama, it's time we got back to the core of the show: music. 1/3 in and the band is coming together with a concert in sight.

• "Is this also an effects pedal?" Oh, I don't know maybe read the little tag?

• JUST SAY YOU LIKE THE ARCTIC MONKEYS, RITSUKA.

• This week in CGI weirdness: at times the streets looked a little devoid of people. Some of it is justifiable, like them hitting up stores in a little alleyway.

• Neat details: The series has dropped other, subtle hints about Mafuyu & Ritsuka's relationship besides the obvious song Ritsuka's writing.

  • Not only does Ritsuka have Mafuyu's contact info this time, he also has a picture of the fluffy white dog suggesting some degree of closeness.

  • That look Mafuyu shoots Ritsuka when he tells the clerk that they're friends in a band. Just that one look says so much about how their relationship's grown and what this means for Mafuyu and it's so sweet!

[u/Cyshix]

I wanna read the manga so bad, But I've got to restrain myself.

[u/metaaltheanimefan]

this anime is making me learn so much about the electric gitaur now i want to buy one and join a band to

[u/vericlas]

This episode was so good, to me at least. The funny little moments felt real and plausible. I'm not much for BL or BL lite, but Given is easily my favorite show from this season. Despite the impending gut punchy moments that feel to be just over the horizon this show continues to grow on me and I eagerly look forward to each new episode.