Given (film)

This article is about the 2020 film. For the sequel two-part film, see Given (2024 film).
Given
Theatrical release poster
Kanji映画 ギヴン
Literal meaningGiven the Movie
Revised HepburnEiga Givun
Directed byHikaru Yamaguchi
Screenplay byYuniko Ayana
Based onGiven
by Natsuki Kizu
Produced by
  • Miho Matsumoto
  • Yuka Okayasu
Starring
CinematographyNaoki Serizawa
Edited byRie Itō
Music byMichiru
Production
company
Distributed byAniplex
Release date
  • August 22, 2020 (2020-08-22)
Running time
59 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Given[a] is a 2020 Japanese animated romantic drama film directed by Hikaru Yamaguchi and written by Yuniko Ayana based on a manga of the same name by Natsuki Kizu. Produced by Lerche and distributed by Aniplex, it adapts the second story arc of the manga, as well as taking place after the events of the anime series, focusing on the relationship between Haruki and Akihiko. The film stars the voices of Shōgo Yano, Yuma Uchida, Masatomo Nakazawa, Takuya Eguchi and Shintarō Asanuma. It was released in Japan on August 22, 2020.[2]

The film was licensed by Crunchyroll, and was streamed on its website on February 2, 2021.[3] A sequel two-part film was released in Japan in 2024, with the first film, Hiiragi mix on January 27, and the second film, To the Sea on September 20.[4]

Synopsis

As Mafuyu attempts to write a new song for the upcoming festival, he learns about the complicated relationship between Akihiko and his ex-boyfriend, Ugetsu. Meanwhile, Haruki harbors unrequited feelings for Akihiko.

Voice cast

Production

In September 2019, it was announced that a sequel anime film of Given anime television series was in the works by adapting the second story arc of the manga. The key staff and cast members reprised their respective roles for the film.[5][6] Fuji TV's new boys' love (yaoi) anime label, Blue Lynx handled the development of the film.[7] The key staff, including director Hikaru Yamaguchi expressed their gratitude for the film.[8]

Release

The film was scheduled to release in theaters in Japan on May 16, 2020, but was postponed to August 22, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Crunchyroll acquired the international distribution rights for the film, and streamed on its website on February 2, 2021.[3] In Southeast Asia, WeTV released the film on May 25, 2021.[9]

Reception

Box office

The film opened at number 9 out of top 10 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend,[10] and later dropped off from the charts in its second weekend.[11]

Critical reception

Kim Morrisy of Anime News Network gave the film a solid "B" rating, and stated "Overall, I will say that I was satisfied with this continuation, even if I didn't like it quite as much as the original series".[12]

Sequel

Main article: Given (2024 film)

A sequel two-part film was released in Japan in 2024, with the first film, Hiiragi mix on January 27, and the second film, To the Sea on September 20.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: 映画 ギヴン, Hepburn: Eiga Givun, lit. "Given the Movie"; stylized in all lowercase

References

  1. ^ "映画 ギヴン" ["Given the Movie"]. eiga.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Loo, Egan (July 2, 2022). "Given Anime Film Rescheduled for August 22 After COVID-19 Delay". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Cardine, Kyle (October 27, 2020). "Given The Movie Comes to Crunchyroll in 2021!". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 24, 2024). "2-Part Given Anime Film Project Reveals Title, Fall Debut for 2nd Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (September 19, 2019). "Given Boys-Love Anime Gets Film in 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "「映画 ギヴン」公開は2020年春！色づいたティザービジュアルも解禁". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "BLアニメが避けて通れない「性描写」と「年齢制限」。フジテレビアニメ開発部の挑戦". Livedoor (in Japanese). February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "「映画 ギヴン」新公開日は8月22日、キヅナツキから感謝のコメントも". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  9. ^ WeTV Philippines [@WeTVPhilippines] (May 16, 2021). "The journey of 4 musicians is about to start now. Are you ready to follow the rhythm with them? #Given the Series is coming this May 18 and #GivenTheMovie will premiere this May 25 on WeTV!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Hazra, Adriana (August 24, 2020). "Doraemon Film Stays at #2, Given Film Debuts at #9 at Japanese Box Office". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Hazra, Adriana (September 7, 2020). "Cells at Work! Film Debuts at #10, Doraemon Stays at #2". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  12. ^ Morrisy, Kim (September 23, 2020). ""Given (Movie)" Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 23, 2020.