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"you'd never look back"

skimming through the manga to find a certain akihiko panel and by god mr. realtor was so on point when he said this to akihiko

from an underground basement to a rooftop penthouse

from small windows that "didn't let it much light" to big windows with "not a bad view of the sky"

from "it was soundproofed" to "noisy ass place! i can't hear myself think!"

from "i didn't even know there was an annual fireworks show for this holiday" to "they do fireworks around here in the summer. ... i bet you can see them from here"

bonus is kizu's notes saying "i gave akihiko a questionable apartment that's seen better days" & "it seems the company that owns the downstairs apartment might be a front for something"

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sometimes i just gotta think about akihiko waking up and seeing haruki in the kitchen first thing in the morning while he was staying at haruki's apartment cz looking at haruki's apartment layout, the couch akihiko sleeps at is directly facing the kitchen and how much akihiko must have stared at haruki cooking, listening to music with his headphones, and how the first thing he sees as he open his eyes is haruki

[magicpotatoobsession]

Wow absolutely brilliant analysis of Akihiko and Akiharu!

Catching up with AKIHIKO KAJI's changes in Given Bangaihen --- (10th Mix_2)

DISCLAIMER: A forewarning that this blog contains SPOILERS, including but not limited to story plot and some panels of the latest chapter of Given Bangaihen ( Given 10th Mix_2). Proceed with caution!

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On a thread on Twix (Twitter+X) Ive yapped about changes in main 4 Given after the span of 10 years. On this blog however I want to concentrate on Akihiko, which, as a synopsis I simply said:

Akihiko continuously allows Haruki to have his way with him. He's very soft, wanting to always please Haruki in any way possible, but not in a way where Haruki is allowed to step on him. The vibe is similar as pre-dating Akiharu, but added the anxiety of post-dating Akiharu.

However, I cant help but feel like I simply grazed over the topic considering Akihiko is a character who goes through constant change, in fact thats his entire thing- from changing to be a man deserving of Haru's love to having a dedicated emergence chapter. Err, My point is that that spiel isn't the only thing thats changed about him. Hence this blog and so I shall continue to yap~

Starting with his direct appearance. Our first impression of Akihiko is that he's someone who looks depressive and ragged who has a tough exterior, cool, and seemingly stone-cold which throughout the series we learn that these ragged looks are physical manifestations of actual depressive episodes stemming from the numerous abuse he receives from a past, yet continuously haunting, ex-relationship

As the story progresses we see him gradually get back into his nature of being a constantly smiling and giddy guy with a child-like demeanor; And, that continues to be the case in this sequel! Having energy to dawn fake circle glasses and a hat to go match it (as a "disguise" / intimidation tactic for the "bugs™")

With regards to personality, his inherent nature of being giddy and child-like never ceases, however, so does the pre-existing anxiety. Albeit not so obvious, Akihiko's past relationship has traumatized him in ways that he or a lot would not expect.

From someone who never really cared about his past partners shenanigans, when it comes to Haruki, he ultimately tries his best to continue to make up for things even after 10 years by wooing him, ergo continuously following through as per Popov-san's words; not that genuine sweet gestures seem to be a problem for him or Haruki.

From someone who had to be coerced into doing things, when it comes to Haruki, he doesnt have a problem with anything and gives in to all of Haruki's qualms; Always aiming to please! Of course, being in a healthy relationship makes it easier to do. Besides, what's there to wear a disguised marriage ring for aesthetics just to keep the bugs™ off Akihiko 😗

Compared to the past as well he has become more protective! In other words, became expressive in showing jealousy and possessiveness, only wanting Haruki for himself; which in itself is a drastic change as finally, he understands what it means to want someone all for himself. Considering high school Akihiko never cared for trivial things, into after-dating-HarukiAkihiko who admits to hating seeing his boyfriend play with an ex, into 7-years-later Akihiko who becomes overly defensive of Haruki's nape, into finally 10-years-later Akihiko who's against Haruki wearing the 'wedding ring for aesthetics' because he "doesnt want Haruki to look like a lonely wife". Its quite the evolution, emergence if you may, which admittedly is very cute

But yes, as I circle back, this stemming from the trauma of being in a relationship with someone who was completely commitment-phobic. The fear of doing just one wrong thing ultimately leading to Haruki leaving (even though Haru wont) is a chance he will not take. But also then again, its not like Akihiko hates it, completely indulging with his lover like this answers the calling of his romantic side! But, something to look forward to with how things will waver when the boat gets rocked in chapters to come; I'll leave that for the future as I digress!

Ig so far thats all I have important to say~! Im looking forward to the next chapters! Im excited to see how these changes in each character would affect interactions! Similarly to how Ritsuka has let go of his SUPER idolization of Akihiko hehe I look forward to seeing other changes~!

Happy Akiharu Foreverr!!!🍁🌸

[magicpotatoobsession]

pop rocks

[magicpotatoobsession]

ᵍⁱᵛᵉⁿ ᵐⁱˣ ²⁰

[magicpotatoobsession]

[magicpotatoobsession]

[magicpotatoobsession]

Hi hello just wanted to say a very very big thank you for the kind words on your reblog tags ❤️ I'm thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to cry happy tears because of you and I'm not even joking in the slightest. Much love.

OMG the very fact that YOU'RE in my inbox makes me wanna cry! 🥹🥹🥹 I'm always supporting you and your art! It's amazing! Please keep doing what you do!

Given-lovers, PLEASE go give @eludesu a follow if you haven't! <3

[magicpotatoobsession]

My fanart of the boys from Given, Mafuyu Sato and Ritsuka Uenoyama. 佐藤 真冬  上ノ山 立夏

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I miss them

[magicpotatoobsession]

Why do you think Mafuyu brought Ue to the beach to confess? I think this is why some think that Uenoyama is just a rebound because the scene was a direct parallel to when him and Yuki went to the beach even repeating the line “this looks like a good dating place”. Was Mafuyu trying to erase that memory with Yuki with a new memory with Ue?

No he's definitely not a rebound in my opinion, I really think he brought Uenoyama to the beach as part of his healing and grief journey and to show himself that he's moved on!

I think in some way, it's important to know that Yuki will always be a part of Mafuyu, not only as his bf but as his friend. I think when you lose someone in that way, they will always be a part of you whether it's romantically or platonically.

So the sea is a special place for Mafuyu but it's not because it's overshadowed by Yuki's memory, it's that his new love is something he came to terms with after singing Fuyunohanashi and that overlaps with his healing from losing Yuki.

That's my opinion! I'm sure more will get revealed in Given 10th mix!

[magicpotatoobsession]

Hi, how are you?

I’ve came across your blog while I started reading Given and having questions about the manga.

I would like to know about your idea of Uenoyama, I have read your thoughts to all the post pinned, but I have still something unfinished with him.

I do really like his character even though is soo different from me and I will go to the extend to say that is probably one of my favourite.

I feel that his pain hasn’t been talked much, there are moments here and there, also when he says that ‘he will never be him’ (which hurts so bad) but all those chapters were focused on the healing journey of Mafuyu. We really never knew if Uenoyama had overcome those insecurities. He is a teenager who lost interest in anything, meets Mafuyu and falls in love with him (so we have this big new feeling), then he starts playing with enthusiasm again, then somehow not only starts dealing with his feelings but also the ones Mafuyu has for Yuki, and he is dealing with them silently (and let's remember at the beginning of the manga he didn't seem to feel much and all of sudden he's bombarded by all these new emotions which are not only his and he's just a teenager 😭 ). He is dealing with the distance between him and Mafuyu silently too. When he finished the song and the manga ended I felt uncompleted. Will he ever feel completely loved by Mafuyu or he just accept what Mafuyu can give to him? Will he always feel the shadow of Yuki between them? Is he happy with it? Will he ever feel that he ‘needs’ to be like Yuki? Is he still insecure? Is even fair to live with the shadow of the first love of YOUR first love?

Something I noticed is that when the second song came out I thought it was for him but then I realised it was more for UgetsuxAkihikoxHaruki with some similarity between him and Uenoyama, but in the song, there still is a second person, it is not fully a romantic song as I originally thought, there is still this shadow. So I went to check if there was actually any song for him and even though there is, in one part it says ‘with you I can go through another winter’ or something similar and I felt again, this shadow still present. It might be something silly and probably the character of Uenoyama would not think about it or would just accept it, but I felt that even though he was loved, the love he receives has a filter to it, he loves Mafuyu fully but will he ever be just loved? Or he’s going to be always someone who surely helps Mafuyu overcome or deal with his trauma and current boyfriend, but will he ever just be his lover? Can he just be him only (I'm not sure if I explained myself well)? I felt that between Akihiko and Haruki there wasn't the presence of Ugetsu when they got together (even if I still think that Haruki is uncompleted as well). I understand of course the trauma of Mafuyu and that he's paying attention to not make the same mistakes but-

I don't know there are a lot of things about Uenoyama's feelings I don't understand. For some reason when I think about him, my heart aches although he's loved.

I wish the sequel would talk about these more but I'm not sure if it's going to focus on that. Sorry I kinda ended up writing too much

Hello! I'm good thank you!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll keep my answer short because I feel like a lot of the questions you posed will be answered in this new sequel manga, Given 10th Mix. I have a huge feeling that we will get a lot more about Ritsuka's struggles. I completely feel you, I thought a lot of his feelings and emotions were left unresolved and then when Kizu announced the sequel, I was so relieved! So yeah, basically I agree with everything and now I think all we can do is keep our eyes peeled. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I'll also do a first impressions of the first chapter soon! And I'll touch on many of the things you mentioned! Please look out for that! I hope that you're having a lovely day!

[magicpotatoobsession]

We won

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[magicpotatoobsession]

Mafuyu is a little shit when he wants to and I will NOT elaborate on that

[magicpotatoobsession]

Soundless Gasps in Given and TGCF

Warning: MAJOR TGCF spoilers (ch 241) and Given (ch 26) Spoilers

Thinking about Given and Ugetsu suddenly feeling the immense emptiness of losing Akihiko that is then replaced by the calm of finally being able to let go and free himself from the chrysalis 🦋 .

TGCF and Xielian suddenly feeling the immense emptiness of losing HC that is then replaced by the calm of believing that he will be back as the butterflies 🦋 dissipate.

Art by xualwqy

Art by @lollimena

Soundless gasps.... one is losing someone but they are at least alive in this world and breaking free from toxicity and the other is knowing someone will be back but it could be 1 year or 800 years and one must hold onto that faith day by day.

In either scenario, I think I would go feral.

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I was so happy to see you grace my tl again - if only for a few posts. I miss your given metas and would LOVE to hear your take on syh's Straight and Parade and any predictions you might have for Umi e!

Thanks for the ask! It has been a while! I was going to do a proper analysis of the songs once I've seen the mix movie but I thought I might share some initial observations for Straight!

EASTER EGGS in SYH's STRAIGHT

Mafuyu's key in C minor, the relative minor key. The song is in Eb major, the relative major key. It's also what I call the sunshine key (Uenoyama's key) ☀️ which is the same key as all the songs on the Given mini-album release.

Chorus 0:22 has the same chord progression as the first part of Fuyunohanashi, which can indicate that Hiiragi and Shizu are also trying their best to heal from Yuki. Seriously, try singing the chorus of Fuyunohanashi on top of Straight's first chorus, they literally layer perfectly on top of each other!!!

CHORDS ARE SO INTERESTING HERE

Chord progression diverges from Fuyunohanashi in the second part of the chorus 0:41 to go from VI -> VII -> I, which is the same tiers di picardie chordal progression as Kizuato's (Given OP) ending as well as Yorugaakeru!!! This chord progression finishes in major to show that the boys are healing from Yuki and trauma.

Lyrics in that chord progression are super meaningful here

Kizuato "Whatever you left behind has now become my life".

Also Yoorugaakeru lyrics are "Look this Dawn is about to break that's why it'll be ok"

Straight: "I will keep singing until it reaches you"

Doesn't that sound like Hiiragi/Yuki/Uenoyama talking directly to Mafuyu???!! 🥹😭❤️🙏

Guitar Solo by Uenoyama has a delicious easter egg

1:01 same as the lyrics "Time and Time again" in Given's mini album track stagekara kiminisasagu. Meaning that time and time again he'll be here for Mafuyu ❤️😭

I am almost 100% certain that every other part of that solo is a reference to lyrics in Given songs because all the other bits are so I'll have to have another proper listen.

That's it! Hope this made sense coming from a music nerd's ramblings! ____

My Given Metas