Episodes like this worry me just a bit with Given, enjoyable though it was. Maybe it’s just scar tissue held over from Sakamichi no Apollon, another NoitaminA “boys in the band” type series that crashed and burned due to its one-cour format – though truth be told there’s not much in common between the two shows beyond the superficial. But Given is setting a lot of plates spinning for a series that’s only going to be around for six more weeks, and I wonder if it has the luxury to spend any of those weeks as it did this one.
No doubt about it, this was a very slow-paced episode in terms of advancement. Last week’s was too, though it felt like more happened somehow – the trip to Shibuya really added some spark to the narrative. I have no issue with the narrative focus turning to the beer and cigarettes half of the group – I’ve expressed my desire to see that happen. But do we really know anything more about Haruki and Akihiko than we did when this ep started?
Haruki being interested in Akihiko – I think that was already pretty much written in ink, so no surprises there. The shots of Haruki acting lovestruck were cute and the flashback sequences were fine, but I felt like they went on a good bit too long – taking fifteen minutes to communicate what could have been done as effectively in five. I’d have rather seen more shots of the two of them genuinely interacting in the present, having real conversation that could have illuminated their relationship a little better, rather than mugging for the camera.
Another element from last week’s likewise relaxed episode was that it moved things along a good deal on the music front. That’s another thing that was largely absent here, apart from some very brief band conversation about what to do for a set list. That could have been a very interesting angle – a band with a catalog full of instrumentals trying to plan their first gig with a vocalist who’s too green on the guitar to be of any real use. But it was really a throwaway moment here and there, not the subject of any real plot development.
Finally, there’s the matter of Mafuyu and Ritsuka. While that’s ultimately the centerpiece of Given that’s not to say it has to be so every week. But we are almost halfway done, so there’s not a lot of breathing space on that score. It really only pipped the last few minutes of the episode, but they felt like the most significant. It very much appears that Kasai-san is going to try and use rumors of Mafuyu’s past to drive a wedge between he and Ritsuka (which isn’t going to work, surely), and she effectively confirms what was hinted at – that he and Yuki were an item. Just how Mafuyu is connected to Yuki’s suicide in fact (not gossip) is still unclear, though I rather suspect the truth will prove less sinister than Kasai is making it out to be.
Scampi
August 9, 2019 at 5:54 pmThey’ve rearranged material from chapter 13 here, so my personal wish that they end at chapter 14 might come true after all. I was actually hoping they cut out this part. If they want to make a second season they can easily insert this part then instead of now, and it’d be much more relevant then. I still think they can do it if they don’t add any more Shibuya trips, even though I reeeeeaaally liked it.
Guardian Enzo
August 9, 2019 at 7:18 pmI would be very surprised if this generates enough revenue to get a second season but hey, I sure didn’t call Made in Abyss or Golden Kamuy being hits.
leongsh
August 9, 2019 at 6:21 pmSo, Kasai-san plays the jealous girl trope to drop the rumour onto Ritsuka. The bombshell surprised Ritsuka but I am really curious to know what is his full reaction. Other than that, it’s about time we get some back story about Mafuyu and the deceased Yuki – next episode?
But before that came up, Akihiko is sharing what looks like an expensive pad with another guy. Just a housemate? Nah.. can’t be so simple. It’s a BL manga/anime. Thus, it’s probably Akihiko’s current boyfriend. Akihiko’s a player and both ways too as he dated Yayoi before they broke up. Oh Haruki… it’s best you do not know.
Last but not least.. sparkly Mafuyu sparkly looking at Ritsuka on hearing that a song waa written for him. He looks as cute as his Pomeranian pet dog.
Guardian Enzo
August 9, 2019 at 7:19 pmYeah, I definitely had the impression that was more than a roommate situation.
elianthos
August 10, 2019 at 2:39 amThe mug shot framed like they did this episode is a visual shortcut for couples in my animanga experience, so it’s a legit thing to wonder about among others.
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In some way I’m not against Haruki’s long flashback sequence taking up most of the episode per se… if you put yourself in his shoes that’s basically his Bi(Gay?) Awakening XDD. ‘First time being struck by a guy‘s aura’ et cetera. I mean. Life-changing realizations, much? But the direction/delivery felt like it was dragging some moments ( and camera panning) just a tad too much in places.
As an adaptation these last two episodes are taking their sweet time and this was a very extra mellow-paced episode, partly due to adapation remix choices as commented above. It’s one instance where I think the manga while leisure in the early chapters carries a clearer overall momentum and adds some little omakes + Ritsuka’s mind theater as a secondary track /counterpouint to balance and liven up the slower moments.
Considering their stopping point is likely gonna be around chapter #11-14 they have plenty of screen time left yet . It’s not much a worry about if they’ll be able to cover what they aim to cover, but how they are gonna do it :). Finger crossed they administer it wisely in the upcoming weeks.
Dein
August 11, 2019 at 5:09 amNo way a single cour is gonna cut it. It’ll either end up rushed or completely inconsequential. Truth be told, I’m having trouble connecting with the show as is. It just feels like a concept demo for a potentially bigger work. There are fun and interesting elements to it, but if it wasn’t for the music theme (which, imo, is almost reaching K-on levels of irrelevance) I would’ve tapped out already. But a music-themed show it is, so I’ll be here till the (probably) bitter end.
Demosthenes
August 12, 2019 at 3:24 pmI feel a bit robbed for the lack of music since the first episode. That jam was just amazing.
I mean, I get that that sort of animation is time consuming and expensive, but still. I wish it was more about the drama of being in a band than a drama that happens to have some people that are in a band together. That’s kinda what it feels like right now.
I feel Nana, Beck and Hibike Euphonium have handled this way better. HE in particular did the learning how to not suck thing exceptionally well. Admittedly all of those series had a lot more episodes to work with. But I’ll stick with this, just like I hung on with K-On! in the hope of a couple more good tunes.
Guardian Enzo
August 12, 2019 at 3:43 pmI get you. Part of it is that music scenes are, as you said, expensive to animate. Part of it is striking a story balance, too, and music series seem to really struggle with it. For me personally, Beck got it just about perfectly.