Given (2021)

For those who think this was good... what's wrong with you??

Honestly, this show was really bad. I don't know how I could sit through the entire thing. The characters seemed interesting but were really just boring. Every time I thought something good might happen or the characters would show ANYTHING, they did not. And the acting was kind of bad as well. Like I've seen the main lead in Kieta Hatsukoi and his acting was good, but here... I think perhaps it was because of the script and direction, not him. I don't know who wrote the script, but that needed improvement, it was so terrible. I would not recommend this show, it felt like a waste of time.

Lire davantage

Pleasantly Surprising, faithful to original work

This is from someone who's watched the anime (both series and OVA) and read part of the manga.

I didn't expect the live action to be this good.

It's pretty jarring, of course, to have different hair, looks, etc. but that comes with casting actors for a live action series. This actually did a good job at casting the characters despite not changing hair colors or keeping original character designs.

The chemistry between both romantic and platonic relationships is AMAZING. Romantic scenes were well fleshed-out, and the acting was superb given how little time they had to cover so much story.

The cinematography was also insanely good, and the shots look more like they were made for a movie than for a six-part series. I was really impressed by the artistry behind the scenes.

Now, for the kicker though: The soundtrack. Ohhhh, the soundtrack. It's ALMOST perfect ---- except for one MAJOR flaw: the climactic song. I'll have to admit, I hated it the moment Mafuyu sang it, but it did grow on me like a strange mold. It's very off-putting given the general trend of the series's soundtrack, and I feel that it didn't make the best use of SANARI's vocal prowess. The chorus was painfully nasal and not the most creative of melodies. Still, the lyrics are on point, and the song still tugged at my heartstrings. I think anyone who's watched it can agree that the song really was a giant letdown.

Now, don't let that song deter you from watching this gem. It doesn't break the show, and it's followed by the most heartwarming scenes in the whole series. This is still a must-watch for anyone who wants a heartwarming BL story that's stood the test of time and produced the best adaptations, this included.

Lire davantage

Given? More like "Given UP" ??

Too be honest I've never watch the anime version so I tried to watch the live adaptation from the manga, after watching it , the truth is its disappointing I think the story it still lacking something , something that gives you mystery and deep story or in-depth of the individual characters, and also this bl lacks chemistry of the male leads I like Uenoyama I think he did great and his cool but Mafuyu btw is ummm… lacking the spark of their relationship bet Uenoyama his face is dull until the last episode like wtf his character is slowly crumbling into thin pieces as a episodes really progress. The song is ok but only 1 song??? After all the practice and hard work?? They didn't even give at least show 3 or more songs to satisfy my appetite like what the hell? Hoping for a season 2 for this bec its open ended, really gutted with this bl could have been better.

Lire davantage

Slow and Boring

Okay so this is another JDRAMA disappointment.

I watched the trailer and thought okay so be could interfering but I was extremely disappointed by the 3rd episode i was really bored of it and skipped the last episode altogether so I just couldn't take it anymore.

The main actors seemed okay, accept i did find the second ML really depressing and often frustrating to watch.

The relationship between them was awkwardly enforced to say the least, it wasn't necessarily that these didnt have chemistry, the whole reason for liking the second lead was because he was lonely and had a guitar.

Overall : Given for me was not a good drama to watch, it just was slow and lacked potential with the characters and story line.

Any good JDRAMA recommendations welcomed!!

Lire davantage

Better off watching the anime

Coming from a person who has watched the anime and read the manga, this adaptation does not do the original story justice. The show was extremely rushed and because of that oftentimes it got confusing, and that's coming from someone who is familiar with the plot. So I can imagine someones whos not familiar with it must feel. Also because of the feeling of it being rushed, it does not allow the watcher to even empathize with the characters. If the episodes were at least 45 minutes each or there were at least 10 episodes I feel that could have made this series so much better. Other than at of course I think the story is so heartwarmingly beautiful, and the characters are memorable.

I would only recommend those who are familiar with the given series to watch this.

Lire davantage

A good adaptation, for what it's worth

As a fan of the series, I was excited to know they were making a live-action adaptation. What was a little worrisome and disappointing was the fact that there's only six episodes that are supposed to cover everything from the very beginning of the series until right after the live performance. They did cover that, and for the most part they did surprisingly well with it, but there were still fundamental parts missing that made the series feel somewhat incomplete. I don't know why they skimped out on time- maybe it was a budget thing or something else, but I still feel like they could've afforded to flesh it out just a little bit more.

That being said, I'll move onto the praise. The music in this series is great, to start off. The characters and the changes made to the characters were great, too - I liked that they switched things around, added and removed a few things to create a somewhat different feel for the series than the manga and anime go/went for. I feel like the actors filled their shoes very well, and I was surprised by how much I loved Haruki, Akihiko, and especially Hiiragi here. The changes made to their characters made me appreciate them even more somehow, and obviously that's a plus.

With what they had, they did well. It also feels like they almost consciously built up a few things to make it possible for a second season to take place at some point in the future. If there IS none, I'm very confused as to why they even chose to start delving into some plot points, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. For now, with what we have in this live-action adaptation of Given, it's good. Worth a watch, definitely. But it had the potential of being even better.

Lire davantage

Soft and Moving

I haven't seen the anime/manga this is based on so my opinion is purely based on only the show and I think I prefer it this way. I'm used to how jdramas are filmed and paced to those who aren't you may not enjoy it as much. But I really liked this drama. I liked the main characters a lot and felt they had good chemistry. The story was also very good and even though I wish it was longer I liked the pacing and how the story slowly unfolds. My only complaint is that for a show focused on music the music wasn't moving. The singing was weird and I wish they made different choices regarding it. But other than that I do recommend others watch it.

Lire davantage

Watch it!

I've tried watching the anime but it didn't stick for me, so finding out there's a live version I got really excited. I don't really understand how one could complain or dislike this show. I found it amazing overall, not even one bad thing about it. Got me to tears at one point too in the last episode. This show to me could've even been just the show itself and not taken from the anime. I understand some people love the live version of their favourite anime or manga but honestly this seemed perfect to me. I'd recommend to watch it all and not be too picky, it's a great show to just quickly watch and finish but also be intrigued throughout it all.

Lire davantage

Given

Sobre o live action “Given”. De início, já é complicado dar vida com atores reais, a uma história que faz muito sucesso com personagens animados, isso pois já existe uma expectativa sobre como os personagens devem ser, e o ator realmente tem que encarnar o papel de forma convincente.
O primeiro episódio já me prendeu bastante (detalhe: eu não assisti o anime, só acompanhei o burburinho dos fãs frenéticos e não quis ver para não ter spoiler), principalmente a cena final com aquela imagem dos dois se olhando em 360º.
Com relação à atuação, normalmente o Japão não deixa a desejar. Eu abro um parênteses aqui para opinar que muitas vezes acho as expressões físicas deles e o modo de falar um tanto quanto exagerados, mas como isso é um padrão nas séries, deve ser normal do comportamento deles, pra mim a atuação está muito boa e eles conseguem transmitir as emoções de forma muito intensa. Senti falta de explorarem os sentimentos de Haruki, que claramente está apaixonado por seu colega de banda Akiriko, que parece perceber esses sentimentos, mas não entendi bem se são recíprocos.
Percebo diálogos muito poéticos, principalmente na forma como tratam a música, como algo sublime. Foi incrível como conseguiram traduzir os sentimentos de arrependimento, redenção, perdão, confusão de sentimentos, enfim, uma obra de arte.

Lire davantage

I am bawling my eyes out

A lot of people told me to don't watch this drama since I would be disappointed. Did I listen? No. I didn't watch the anime so I won't have to worry about comparing both of them. I liked it so much and the song is just Chef's kiss! It left a bruise inside my heart since I could feel Mafuyu's emotions. I have a huge crush on Jin so every time Uenoyama is on the screen I literally scream af because I like him so much. At first, I wondered why the story wasn't focused on Uenoyama and Mafuyu, but then I realized that it was a story focused on Mafuyu's path toward healing. The end was endearing especially when they both kissed hehe. The singing part made me bawl my eyes out. I can feel that he really set himself free at that moment. I am proud of you Mafuyu.

Lire davantage

Not What I Thought...and that's a good thing.

So I'm cleaning up my bookmark list - removing bookmarks on everything I've watched - and, lo and behold...now here's something I completely forgot about. Hey, why not give it a watch. If it's not something you're liking you could just stop at any old time and just move on. And that's how I stepped into the world of Uenoyama and Mafuyu. Now, lemme add, all I knew about "Given" was what the synopsis said on MyDramaList, and nothing more. Well ...I was not expecting what I got.

First off - it is beautiful. Not in a cosmetic, picturesque way, but in an honest true-to-life manner. As with a lot of recent Japanese dramas (and sometimes comedies too) there is an ever present thread of "alone-ness" that runs throughout - whether it's Hira and Kioyi in "Utsukushii Kare" or Aioki in "Kieta Hatsukoi" or even Adachi in "Cherry Magic!", there's always the sense of watching life pass by from the POV of the outsider, always unwilling or unable to just let go and join in. This time, though, we go to some really dark places. Don't let the High School setting that the series opens with fool you (Oh no! Not that again!), "Given" opens up and reaches into your soul. And, I must say, I really liked the journey. From Mafuyu falling asleep in the studio to Kashima (Mafuyu's friend) reacting to him singing at the concert to the first time Mafuyu sings "lalalala" for Uenoyama - nothing is what I expected. Warning: There will be lumps in throats and there will be wet eyes.

"Given" is awesome, the music is perfect and the actors are sooo real that you knida get lost in their world for a moment. The writing is brilliant and the direction is superb. If there is any criticism to be made is that it could've done with either longer (or maybe a couple more) episodes. I really wanted to spend a little more time with these people. Oh, and by the way, even down to Mafuyu's last line is sheer perfection. Highly recommended.

Lire davantage