Enjoying this movie was always going to be a given. 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806582482324815912/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210203194239.246.jpg The TV anime was a breath of fresh air coupling passion for music with a nuanced take on masculinity and love. It felt like an artists breakout single and one that I happily bumped to in my hypothetical car. Given Movie then was like the followup hit. It retains a lot of what I enjoyed in the original and I loved my time with this new song. But while it hits mostly all the right notes it never seems to top the charts the same way its predecessor did. Theres that little thought at the back of my head yearning to go back to that first tune again. Heres a quick rundown of the stuff Ive noticed. I will be making references to the TV anime which I highly recommend you check out. Therell also be super mild spoilers for the movie so skip ahead to my TlDr if youd prefer to go in blind. Given is all about finding closure 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806582492483551262/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210203192451.270.jpg and one could make a strong case that the anime achieved just that after its 11episode run in 2019. However a few pretty big threads were left up in the air. On one corner we have Haruki torn over his attraction towards Akihiko and his commitment to the band. On the other end of Akihikos ring stands the mysterious Ugetsu who is drawn towards Mafuyus raw talent. I did have some reservations going into the movie given I know I like to make puns a lot but this is genuinely how I write DONT LEAVE that the main arc closed off on a conclusive note. Plus I got the impression that Ugetsu was being played up as this ostensiblybad person who would have a negative impact on our budding soyboy songwriter. It seemed like rather tropey territory for the show to dip its feet into and I was worried that making Ugetsu out to be a villain goes against what was an otherwise earnest expression of love and liberation. Thankfully this new entry sticks to the series strengths but a little too closely than I would have hoped. 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806582492990799912/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210203193455.855.jpg In order to bring closure once more Given Movie gives Akihiko Ugetsu and Haruki their due time in the spotlight. Akihiko gets space to confront his messy past and waning connection with music. Hed always seemed like a rather capable character with skeletons in the closet and that dark side rears its ugly head in the movie. His nasty habits involving excessive booze and sex spring as a result of his connection with music which is explored in tandem with Ugetsus growth. Both their lives are defined by their passions for music and each other. Im glad the show decided to make Ugetsu a human character and not the Machiavellian psychopath who outright manipulates those around him. The two share an indecisive toxic relationship resorting to unglamorized acts of attrition. This admittedly melodramatic lovers detente doesnt feel too contrived and fits well with the series grounded tone. Haruki also gets a good amount of development exploring his insecurities surrounding band life and bond with Akihiko. These threads are all done according to the series MO with our main characters working through their emotions before finding the courage to let it all out in an earnest JRock aria. However lining Given Movie up against the TV anime isnt a favorable comparison as the few new additions dont work as well with what has come prior. Weve heard this song before. 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806582834227183666/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210204015156.898.jpg A lot of Given TV revolves around the idea that music represents the emotions and words that elude us in daytoday life. Given Movie is a lessgraceful rehash doing a fair amount of thematic gymnastics so that the script can bring Mafuyu back for an encore of the brilliant ninth episode. While Im OK with the reemergence of this motif and Mafuyus somewhat forced involvement recreating this beatforbeat and concertforconcert does stretch the believability of this message and leads to diminishing returns. Much like the movie for Bunny Girl Senpaihttps://anilist.co/anime/104157/SeishunButaYarouwaYumemiruShoujonoYumewoMinai/ story structure too is relatively unchanged from its TV counterpart. However with just under an hour of runtime this means the script resorts to cramming a great number of flashbacks within the first 30 minutes. This short duration does necessitate a fittingly downplayed conclusion at the expense of some darker subject matter. Akihikos behavior while compelling thanks to a massive performance by Takuya Eguchihttps://anilist.co/staff/102695/TakuyaEguchi seems solely tied to the fact that he cant be with Ugetsu. While I can accept Ugetsu as the impetus for all his bad habits Akihiko ditching these problems offscreen seems a tad convenient to me. His adulterous streak comically comes off as merely revenge sex and all that excessive drinking recedes thanks to the Power of Love. I just feel that in a show deeply rooted in grounded relationships and band culture these issues shouldnt be treated as a means to push plot but as legitimate problems on their own right. Speaking of plot drivers its time to address the elephant in the studio. You might be wondering why Ive barely brought up Mafuyu and Uenoyama the main protagonists of the TV season. Mafuyu himself does serve as the link between the audience and Ugetsu while being a large part of why the plot works in the first place. However the star couple barely get a showing this movie. This isnt really a proper issue but I do wish we could have seen their development in areas outside of music. OST is solid but doesnt carry the same distinct range of the TV soundtrack which blew me away with its versatility. I have similar takes on the visuals which didnt impress as much with shot composition compared to the anime. The dreaded CGI makes cameos in certain scenes but its usage is sparse and subtle. Those janky animations cant detract from Lerches gorgeous lighting and good backgrounds which are enhanced with a few moments of strong direction towards the very end. TlDr: 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806582469935497256/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210203200117.725.jpg In terms of theatrical sequels this film passes the SteinsGate: Fuka Ryouiki no Dj vuhttps://anilist.co/anime/11577/SteinsGateFukaRyouikinoDjvu/ test. Both movies are capable installments but dont quite live up to or challenge their respective predecessors. Given Movie returns to its formula pursuing story teased back in the TV series. This time we get to know the other half of the band at the expense of reuniting with the main pair. This song rarely misses a beat but only because weve heard this tune before. But theres no harm in returning to what made the series special and the film most certainly did that for me despite a few concessions in runtime and depth. Not a mustsee sequel but certainly rewarding in its own way. Seasons change but Given seems here to stay. 6/10 STRAY RAMBLINGS SPOILERS Yknow Haruki had his nodating policy because he knew that the band would likely tear apart. If something like that happens in the canon I hope each of the band members duke it out and vent their frustrations towards each other a la Fleetwood Mac. Now that would be a cool reinvention of the song motif. Or maybe Im conflating my hopes for the series with my daily prayers for a Fleetwood Mac biopic. Hollywood take notes this is an untapped gold mine. Haruki lost his hairdo. Only part Im annoyed by is that now he cant model anymore. Its tough making money as a band member and the braids were raking in the dough. Sadge. BEST GIRL: Literally no one. Dont believe theres a single female main/supporting character to nominate. BEST BOI: he eat banan. 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806585198409547780/unknown.png Monke. 100https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/766670782494408744/806585928591999046/ErairawsGivenMovie1080pMultipleSubtitle.mkv20210204020419.865.jpg And thats the set Thanks for giving this a read. Be sure to put on some Centimillimentalhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0aRqEPPTtQd3pGuB4tJxVw?autoplay=true sometime the real life Given slaps. If you happen to like my verbose rants feel free to check out my other reviewshttps://anilist.co/user/An1meDweeb/reviews for seasons past and present peace