Natsuki Kizu’s ‘Given‘ anime seized the hearts of anime fans all over the globe through its short yet magnificent series. The anime stylized the love story of four important characters, their development both emotionally and mentally, overcoming struggles against societal views, and much more.
The series draws the viewers into the world of Given starting from the very first episode. Though the main couples are Ritsuka Uenoyama and Mafuyu Sato, the secondary couples received as much attention as them. It even went far as to produce a movie series on their story. The secondary couples are Akihiko Kaji and Haruki Nakayama.
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Ritsuka Uenoyama And Mafuyu Sato
The story revolves around these four characters mainly, with a flashback to the past of each character in order to justify their actions and motives. Fans have debated quite a lot on this question about who the popular ship is, but the controversy is yet to reach an end. In this article, let us look into a brief version of their story and I’ll leave it up to you to decide who you support.
The fans have justifiably named the couples Mafuyama (Mafuyu and Uenoyama) and AkiHaru (Akihiko and Haruki). Uenoyama is a goofy guitarist who likes his nap times very much, on the other hand, Mafuyu is an introverted character who is hung up with the past of his ex-lover’s death. He carries his guitar all the time, even though he doesn’t know how to play it.
Things start to change when Mafuyu captures Uenoyama’s nap spot. Uenoyama being a guitarist helps Mauyu learn how to play, though he clearly rejects it in the first few meetings. Later it is found that Mafuyu possesses an excellent voice suitable for a singer. Through challenges along the way, Uenoyama helps him to overcome his past and walk toward the future.
Feelings develop between the two and they finally confess to each other. In their relationship development, both Akihiko and Haruki have played a significant role as wingmen. The relationship progress between the main characters is lovely to look at. You will find yourself supporting and rooting for our characters throughout the story.
Uenoyama to Mafuyu, “He held so much sadness in such a small frail body… If he were to ever love again, I wish I was the one he would come to love”.
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Akihiko Kaji And Haruki Nakayama
Akihiko and Haruki on the other hand are a mature couple. They gained a significant amount of attention because of Haruki’s one-sided effort to attract Akihiko’s attention. Since college, Haruki has been in love with Akihiko but he lacks the courage to tell him, moreover he wanted to do everything possible to make him fall for him.
Though Akihiko knew about Haruki’s feelings, he chose not to respond to them infuriating the fans a bit. This in fact made the AkiHaru fans root for Haruki even deeper. Akihiko has been in a twisted relationship with his roommate Ugetsu Murata.
He can neither leave him nor be happy with him. Overcoming challenging and heartbreaking times, the couple comes together in the end, much to the fans’ relief. Akihiko changes himself into a better person to make it up to Haruki and the couple starts living together in the end. Both the characters have interesting plot settings with deep romantic developments woven into them.
Akihiko to Haruki, “The reason I decided to make changes in my life was because… I wanted to become a man worthy of your love!”
Having to mark a particular couple as the best will undoubtedly be unfair to the other. One is a school-going couple, while the other is based in a college setting. Their innocence and maturity are well-drawn. Needless to say Mafuyu’s songs in the anime are mindblowing. Even if you decide to watch the series later, do give the songs a try. It’s something you’ll want to download and listen to for a long period of time.
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