Sometimes a song can save your life. 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. Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all-with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. Until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Ueno more
Given is published by SuBLime, so yes, its Boys Love, but its main themes are about love and loss, and what it means to be in a relationship, enhanced by the powerful metaphor of communication through music and playing together. Its as much about discovering your own creativity as discovering your soul-mate. The translation by Junko Goda captures the idle banter between high schoolers (and university students) convincingly, as well as Mafuyus difficulties in expressing himself. The story benefits from the mangaka's subtle touches of dry humour (Uenoyama often ‘sees' Mafuyu as a wide-eyed puppy) and the inclusion of her 4-koma pages at the end is a real bonus. This is one of the few manga that proves Boys' Love can tell a compelling story that will appeal to readers outside the usual target audience, creating memorable characters and illustrating them with accomplished and striking images. Read Full Review
Between its compelling relationships and expressive artwork, there is a lot to love about Given. The first volume leaves off in a dramatic point within the story, with Mafuyu attempting to face his past trauma and Ritsuka coming to realize his true feelings. This is a title that you shouldn't skip out on, and it will be exciting to see how the story continues. Read Full Review
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