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Natsuki Kizu Biography & Facts

Given (Japanese: ギヴン Hepburn: Givun; stylized in all lowercase) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Kizu. It has been serialized in the bimonthly manga magazine Chéri+ since 2013, and has been collected into eight tankōbon volumes by Shinshokan. The series follows a group of four students in an amateur rock band, and the dual romantic relationships that form among them: between electric guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and vocalist Mafuyu Satō, and between bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji. The series has been adapted multiple times, notably as an audio drama in 2016, an 11-episode anime television series in 2019, an anime film in 2020, and a live-action television drama in 2021. The anime television series aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block, and was the first boys' love (BL) series to air on Noitamina. An English-language translation of the manga is licensed in North America by the Viz Media-Animate joint publishing initiative SuBLime, while the anime and film are syndicated outside of Asia by the streaming service Crunchyroll. Plot Given is roughly divided into three major story arcs. The first arc, which focuses primarily on the relationship between Ritsuka and Mafuyu, follows the formation of the band and the lead-up to their first live performance. The second arc, which focuses primarily on the relationship between Akihiko and Haruki, follows the band as they prepare for their first music festival. Following these two arcs, the manga is currently ongoing with its third arc, focusing on Hiiragi and Shizusumi's relationship. Ritsuka and Mafuyu High school student Ritsuka Uenoyama is the guitarist for a band composed of himself, bassist Haruki Nakayama, and drummer Akihiko Kaji. He becomes a reluctant guitar teacher to Mafuyu Satō, a shy classmate, after repairing the broken strings on Mafuyu's Gibson ES-330. Ritsuka quickly realizes that Mafuyu is an exceptionally talented singer, and invites him to join the band. Ritsuka learns that Mafuyu's guitar was previously owned by Yūki Yoshida, Mafuyu's childhood best friend and former boyfriend who died from suicide. The band begins composing music in preparation for a live performance, but Mafuyu struggles to write lyrics for the song. On the day of the performance, Mafuyu has a breakthrough and sings an emotionally powerful song expressing his grief over Yūki. The performance prompts Ritsuka and Mafuyu to act on their growing romantic feelings for each other; they kiss backstage and begin dating. The band names itself "Given", in tribute to the guitar given to Mafuyu by Yūki's mother after his passing. Akihiko and Haruki Given begins to gain traction after posting a video of their live performance online. They apply for the lineup of a major amateur music festival and begin composing new music, but their progress is complicated by Haruki's secret romantic feelings for Akihiko, as well as Akihiko's continued involvement with his ex-boyfriend Ugetsu Murata. Tensions mount until Akihiko is kicked out of the apartment he shares with Ugetsu. He reveals to Haruki that he is aware of his feelings for him, leading to an awkward and tense sexual encounter. Without a place to stay, Akihiko moves in with Haruki. Although their cohabitation grows to become pleasant, unresolved romantic and interpersonal tensions persist. On the day of Given's qualifying concert, Akihiko ends his relationship with Ugetsu. The band performs a new song Mafuyu wrote, but are ultimately not chosen for the festival lineup. After some time, Akihiko moves out of Haruki's apartment and decides to seriously commit to his music studies. In the spring, following a violin competition, Akihiko confesses his feelings to Haruki, admitting the changes he made in his life were to become a person worthy of Haruki's love. The two begin dating. Characters Main characters Mafuyu Satō (佐藤 真冬, Satō Mafuyu) Voiced by: Sōma Saitō (audio drama), Shōgo Yano (anime) (Japanese); Brandon McInnis (English) A 16-year-old high school student and Given's lead vocalist and guitarist. Though he lacks experience and professional training, Mafuyu is a naturally gifted singer and quickly picks up guitar and songwriting skills. He suppresses his emotions following the suicide of his former boyfriend Yuki, resulting in an outwardly shy and aloof personality, but becomes ferociously expressive when he performs. Outside of music, he cares for a nine-month-old Pomeranian named Kedama. Ritsuka Uenoyama (上ノ山 立夏, Uenoyama Ritsuka) Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa (audio drama), Yuma Uchida (anime) (Japanese); Jessie James Grelle (English) A 16-year-old high school student and Given's lead guitarist. Having played guitar since a young age, Ritsuka is highly practiced and talented with the instrument. He has a kind personality, though often comes off to others as stoic and bullish, and is inexperienced in romantic affairs. At the start of the series, he has lost his enthusiasm for playing the guitar, though his love for music returns as he develops a closer bond with Mafuyu. Haruki Nakayama (中山 春樹, Nakayama Haruki) Voiced by: Yasuaki Takumi (audio drama), Masatomo Nakazawa (anime) (Japanese); Y. Chang (English) A 22-year-old graduate student and Given's bassist and bandleader. Haruki is friendly and sociable, and as the oldest member of the band, often functions as its mediator. He has a longstanding crush on Akihiko and eventually begins dating him. Akihiko Kaji (梶 秋彦, Kaji Akihiko) Voiced by: Satoshi Hino (audio drama) Takuya Eguchi (anime) (Japanese); Jonah Scott (English) A 20-year-old college music student and Given's drummer. Akihiko majors in violin performance and is skilled in several other instruments. Having been in numerous relationships with both men and women, he is also knowledgeable in romantic affairs, often giving advice to others in this regard. He lives with his ex-boyfriend Ugetsu, with whom he maintains an on-and-off relationship. However, Akihiko realizes his growing feelings for Haruki and permanently ends his relationship with Ugetsu, eventually becoming Haruki's boyfriend and vowing to improve himself for him. Supporting characters Yuki Yoshida (吉田 由紀, Yoshida Yuki) Voiced by: Yoshiki Nakajima (audio drama), Yuuki Shin (anime) (Japanese); Brendan Blaber (English) Mafuyu's childhood friend and former boyfriend, who died from suicide prior to the series' events and appears only through flashbacks. Yuki's outgoing and impulsive personality starkly contrasted with Mafuyu's shyness; however, the two bonded over their common backgrounds as latchkey kids raised in single-parent homes and later became lovers. Their eventual falling out led Yuki to drink heavily and hang himself. Prior to his death, Yuki was a guitarist in a band alongside his friends Hiiragi and Shizusumi. Ugetsu Murata (村田 雨月, Murata Ugetsu) Voiced by: Atsushi Tamaru (audio drama), Shintarō Asanuma (anime) (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English) A world-renowned .... Discover the Natsuki Kizu popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Natsuki Kizu books.