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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The last chapter really wrecked me. Didn't realize how attached I'd grown to Sato and the rest of the boys until I was reading it. This book helped me through a lot, very grateful to have come across it
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s been a while since I read the first 8 volumes so I could be wrong when I say it’s been a while since a volume was centered around Mafuyu (apart from 8 which was where we started to get into his head about them officially becoming a professional band etc). It was pretty sad, but what I love about this series is how it deals with grief and it continues throughout the volumes. It wasn’t something that was dealt with and we moved on from in the earlier volume which is true to real life. It is a large part of Mafuyu as a character as well his two other friends, and Yuki’s passing will always have a large impact on their lives, Mafuyu in particular of course, and I appreciate how much time and effort is put into exploring that through his character. And whilst I don’t think that he will ever get over it, this volume did sort of feel like the author was closing a certain chapter of Mafuyu’s life. Going back to his dilemma from volume 8, he had been standing still for a while but now he can move forward after having properly confronted his grief from losing Yuki as much as possible. If is also marked by the fact that him and Uenoyama have now graduated high school and are now looking to the future. I believe after this, there isn’t anything left following them in college, but the series is still ongoing despite the english publisher of this manage series stating otherwise. The recent chapter releases follows the band Given 10 years later and follows Uenoyama more as a character whereas the main/first part of Given followed Mafuyu and their relationship on both sides more. I do expect that once there are enough chapters out (I believe the spin-off is almost or IS in its double digits) that we will see those chapters compiled into about 3 volumes and published. However, we have to wait a little longer on the English side for the bind up of the volume(s) and then the subsequent translation into English, and I cannot wait. I had seen clips/images of these characters on Twitter since the movie came out in 2020 but I’m so glad I picked this series up at the start of this year. It’s become one of my top 5 manga series I have to say. It’s incredibly well-written, a very emotional read, with a gorgeous art style as well as dealing with heavy and important topics whilst also being able to be a funny and lighthearted (sometimes for the latter) series that I can’t recommend enough.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok, I'm going to give my rating of the Vol 9 and the whole series.
Vol 9
I finished this volume quite disappointed, actually. Given is my first BL series completed, I glad bought them and, different than other mangas, didn't regret buying it. But, even though I have many good things to say about it, the last volumes were, in my opinion, the worst from all of the series. Worst might be a strong word, but I was definetely disappointed.
For me, until Haruki's and Akihiko's arcs were completely, the series was fine - despite being a complex opinion (I mean, it's up to the reader to decide how to feel about Haruki dating Akihiko after that whole couch incident), they ended up being my favorite characters. And then, we return back to Mafuyu having the same problem he had at the beginning of the series, which for me was a waste, because I thought he was already resolved after dating Ue.
We spent way too much time with Mafuyu making up his mind and his inner thoughts during the concert, which would be fine, IF we knew more about Yuki.
The series as a whole
It's a good series, with a nice pace for a manga. Haruki is, in particular, my favorite character and I like Akihiko too.
I didn't like how Ugetsu's story ended with a lack of resolution (so did he get over Akihiko or not? He just seems depressed) and I don't know what to make of it. Also, his and Mafuyu's friendship could have been more developed :/
I don't really like Hiiragi because of his personality, but what bothered me was his and Shizu's relationship. Shizu's seems like a walking red flag to date.
Lastly, we should have been more exposed to Yuki, because I can't feel much empathy towards Mafuyu's pain. And what makes it worse is the fact that it seemed to be a personal conflict resolved in Vol 2 and 3 and then we return from Vol 5/6 onwards.
Vol 9
I finished this volume quite disappointed, actually. Given is my first BL series completed, I glad bought them and, different than other mangas, didn't regret buying it. But, even though I have many good things to say about it, the last volumes were, in my opinion, the worst from all of the series. Worst might be a strong word, but I was definetely disappointed.
For me, until Haruki's and Akihiko's arcs were completely, the series was fine - despite being a complex opinion (I mean, it's up to the reader to decide how to feel about Haruki dating Akihiko after that whole couch incident), they ended up being my favorite characters. And then, we return back to Mafuyu having the same problem he had at the beginning of the series, which for me was a waste, because I thought he was already resolved after dating Ue.
We spent way too much time with Mafuyu making up his mind and his inner thoughts during the concert, which would be fine, IF we knew more about Yuki.
The series as a whole
It's a good series, with a nice pace for a manga. Haruki is, in particular, my favorite character and I like Akihiko too.
I didn't like how Ugetsu's story ended with a lack of resolution (so did he get over Akihiko or not? He just seems depressed) and I don't know what to make of it. Also, his and Mafuyu's friendship could have been more developed :/
I don't really like Hiiragi because of his personality, but what bothered me was his and Shizu's relationship. Shizu's seems like a walking red flag to date.
Lastly, we should have been more exposed to Yuki, because I can't feel much empathy towards Mafuyu's pain. And what makes it worse is the fact that it seemed to be a personal conflict resolved in Vol 2 and 3 and then we return from Vol 5/6 onwards.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes