Funnily enough, despite it being structurally pretty similar to last week’s episode (which didn’t click with me) this one was probably my favorite of the series so far. I can think of three possible reasons:
- It was simply better.
- Mafuyu and Rituka’s arc has more heft than the college guys’ does.
- I’ve given up on expecting this series to change its narrative stripes and just rolled with it.
As is usual in these cases, the answer is probably some combination of all the above, but I lean towards number 3 to a certain extent. If this is simply what Given is, it only makes sense to hope it can be the best possible version of itself. I continue to be frustrated at the lack of music (which makes a marked contrast to Carole & Tuesday, where the frustration is with the quality of the music), and at the snails’ pace in the relationship development for an 11-episode show. But on some level, it’s better for Yamaguchi-sensei to give us a limited version of something true to the series’ essential nature than try to make it something it’s not.
Whatever the reasons(s), this episode simply worked. I was especially taken by Mafuyu’s solo and silent journey into his past, which was not only indescribably sad but also had an extremely foreboding air hanging over it. While we still don’t know all the details the picture of what happened in the past is beginning to come into focus, and it’s clear Mafuyu – prompted by Ritsuka’s request-demand that he write the lyrics for his new song – felt he needed to see the places that were essential to that event. While intellectually I knew it wouldn’t happen, I had a constant sense that Mafuyu was going to do something foolish here – his emotional vulnerability was off the charts.
Was what Ritsuka did a good idea? I think it’s way too early to say – forcing Mafuyu to confront his past (which was surely Akihiko’s notion when he suggested it) is a dangerous game. It could be therapeutic, or it could rip the stitches out of still-healing wounds. I’m glad Ritsuka didn’t assume the worst based on Kasai’s rumor-mongering (her apology struck me as trying to assuage her own conscience rather than genuine contrition), though he was clearly freaked out. That’s as much as anything because it confirmed things about Mafuyu that play into Ritsuka’s own awakening, a process that’s clearly happening in the moment.
I think the details of what happened between Mafuyu and Yuki matter, and we still have many holes in the puzzle. A group of childhood friends (in Kamakura – or is that just where “it” happened?), two of whom end up as romantic partners. Seemingly they have the approval of both sets of parents (which is a bit surprising, if I’m honest, but would discourage one train of thought as to what went wrong), but somehow it all went off the rails in the worst possible way. It’s obvious that Hiiragi blames Mafuyu for what happened, and whether there’s a specific – and valid – reason for that is a very important unknown.
Both Akihiko and Haruki are trying to protect their younger mates in their own way, I think, but there’s no getting around the fact that both Mafuyu and Ritsuka are dealing with some serious shit at the moment that only they can work through. As it happens I coincidentally just watched another interesting musing on the songwriting process (Sing Street), and in that instance, it was a reliance on someone else that helped break the creative dam. Maybe the same will happen here, but the impression I’m getting is that Mafuyu writing these words on his own is his character’s crucible moment. Whether it will prove to be a good or bad thing for his state of mind is still very much an open question.
leongsh
August 16, 2019 at 3:13 pmRitsuka realising that he is jealous that Mafuyu loves someone else… That’s indirectly acknowledging that he really likes Mayufu a lot.
I am still trying to figure out what happened that cause Mafuyu’s boyfriend, Yuki, to commit suicide. They have been stingy so far with revelations. It’s definitely surprising that the both families acknowledged Yuki and Mafuyu’s relationship. Surprising because as far as I know, society norms would frown on such. At least, I managed to guess right earlier that he was given the guitar by Yuki’s family. Hmm.. is that where the manga title comes from? I have not heard any title drop so far. So far with the limited info from the anime, I am leaning towards the title being the name of their band – like how the manga, “Beck”, is the name of the band that the main character, Koyuki, ends up joining.
Yukie
August 16, 2019 at 10:45 pmI think I’m starting to see the pattern of these episodes as well. It feels like they are pacing the episode so that revelations are always placed at the end, as a hook to bring you back to the next one. I’ve never read the manga, so I can’t really compare..but it does make me worried that with the episodes left, the only music we will be getting seems to be in the finale, which I’m guessing is going to be the concert.
Also very surprised that their families were so supportive. Makes it even harder to guess why Yuki committed suicide.
I loved how Akihiko has caught on that Ritsuka is in love, and it’s so refreshing that he didn’t spell it out right then.
leongsh
August 16, 2019 at 10:59 pmThis is something I have difficulty figuring out too. Families who are supportive and yet Yuki is sufficiently depressed enough to take his own life. It’s pointing towards a direction that Yuki could be bi-polar – moving from intensely celebratory about life towards totally down with the weight of the world crushing him down. All it needed is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back to send him off to the deep end to commit suicide. From the 1st episode, there’s some cans of presumably beer in the room which lowered inhibitions. What’s the straw then? A lover’s quarrel? Yuki spending too much time with his band and music and Mafuyu finding himself left out? Hiiragi seems to blame Mafuyu. That’s why I think it’s a lover’s quarrel and Yuki got into a funk, drank to drown his sorrows, and with his inhibitions loweed bybthe alcohol then deciding that life is not worth living without Mafuyu? Sounds like a generic soap opera plot. I hope it isn’t.
Guardian Enzo
August 16, 2019 at 11:14 pmAgain, every question answered = 2 more asked. Lots we don’t know here. While it’s not impossible two middle-class Japanese families would be supportive of middle-school sons in a sexual relationship, it would be unusual. If they were, what caused Yuki to kill himself? Is there a specific reason their friends (at least one) sort of blame Mafuyu?
I mentioned “Sing Street” in the post, and they talk about “happy sad” in the context of writing lyrics. One of the kids equates it to being in love, and the other to being bipolar. Certainly interesting to ponder given the elements Given is trading in.
Albion
August 17, 2019 at 12:00 amI loved Mafuyu’s solitary walk through his past, it was very well done, you could guess what he was thinking without it being spelt out. I also feel that he is losing Yuki, probably because music and Ritsuka are filling the void.
Ritsuka admitting he is jealous is a big step forward.
sweejen
August 17, 2019 at 3:42 amAkihiko’s description of Mafuyu’s voice–pretty and clean, but like a scream underneath–was a great parallel to the hurt wrapped up under the dazed affect Mafuyu uses to get through his days. It’s such a relatable thing that Ritsuka immediately understands what Akihiko means, but throughout the episode is reluctant to use this insight to connect with Mafuyu. Given really draws me in with such little touches–the only thing that quelled my worries during the Kamakura memory tour was that Mafuyu told his dog he would be back.
Karandi
August 19, 2019 at 6:28 amI’m really enjoying how this anime has continued to allow the characters to slowly unfold and each encounter we have with them gives us just a little bit more information about them and continues to bring our impression of them into focus. I’m also not minding the slow pace it has taken as it feels like it works for the story being told.