Manga Review: Given, Volume 2, by Natsuki Kizu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2020

Volumes: 6+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music—and to each other—always brings them back together again.

As the band races toward their first live concert, Mafuyu struggles to write lyrics for their new song but can’t find the words to express the emotions burning within him. Meanwhile, Uenoyama hears rumors about Mafuyu’s past and is bewildered by his own feelings. The tension builds until the night of the show, when the band explodes into a raging, life-changing performance.

 

Review:

This volume reaches the penultimate moment in the anime—the concert.

The pacing is a little different in the manga versus the anime, so we're introduced to the two band mates slower, only given some insight into Kaji and his roommate in this volume. But we've also been getting more information regarding Mafuyu's past in this version. So while we're anxiously waiting to see the performance, we have some ideas.

I will admit that the anime hits hard, particularly because you get to hear the music and Mafuyu's voice. It's a little unclear how much of this he's planned ahead of time, but it's obvious where the song is coming from. It's also clear that Mafuyu finally feels like he can express what he's been feeling, and can try to move forward.

Mafuyu's struggle here is intense, and it's heartbreaking.

And then there's where the volume ends, which is adorable. Uenoyama realizes just how important of a moment that was for Mafuyu, though not quite what an impact he's made.

I'm pretty sure the next volume will go further than the manga did, and I am extremely excited to read more. I am utterly in love with this series at this point.