Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix – Anime Review & Film Summary

Hiiragi is a high school student and aspiring musician. He formed an amateur rock band with his classmates and childhood friends, Shizu and Yuki. They are called the SYH. Their band gained traction early on, especially with Yuki as the lead vocalist. However, Yuki suddenly committed suicide after an argument with his boyfriend, Mafuyu. His death devastated Mafuyu, Hiiragi, and Shizu, taking them all by surprise. Hiiragi and Shizu must lean on each other for emotional support.

Mafuyu grew up with Yuki, Hiiragi, and Shizu. All four were friends throughout their childhood. Mafuyu and Yuki had an exceptionally close bond, growing up as kids in single-parent family years. They started dating and enjoyed a blissful period of romance. However, Mafuyu attended a different school from Yuki, Hiiragi, and Shizu. While the three formed a band, Mafuyu was left out and not included in their activities. Sometimes, he felt Yuki prioritized music over their relationship.

The last time the couple spoke to each other, they argued about Yuki's focus on music. The quarrel sent Yuki on an emotional spiral, and he ended his life in an unwell state. Mafuyu discovered his ex-boyfriend's body. After Yuki's death, Mafuyu cut ties with Hiiragi and Shizu. They tried to contact him, but he wouldn't respond to his old friends. The already shy Mafuyu was alone and retreated even more.

After Yuki's death, Mafuyu received his boyfriend's guitar. Mafuyu didn't know how to play it until he met Uenoyama, a grumpy classmate at school. Uenoyama offered him guitar lessons and taught him to master the instrument. He also invited Mafuyu to join his band. Mafuyu became the vocalist of Given. His other bandmates include Uenoyama (the guitarist), Haruki (the bassist), and Akihiko (the drummer). Despite Mafuyu's inexperience, they all welcome him into their group. Soon, Uenoyama and Mafuyu start dating.

Later, Hiiragi reunites with Mafuyu. He's shocked that his old friend joined a band. Initially, Mafuyu avoided Hiiragi, but they made up and became friends once more. As Hiiragi and Shizu become better acquainted with Mafuyu, they meet his new boyfriend. Hiiragi, who has taken over as the vocalist of SYH, is interested in Uenoyama due to his guitar skills. He offers Uenoyama the position of SYH's guitarist temporarily. When Uenoyama accepts, Mafuyu starts to feel self-conscious. He sees uncomfortable parallels between Yuki and Uenoyama emerging.

To prepare for this review, I recently rewatched the Given franchise, including the anime series, the first movie, and the short special. I'm reminded of how enjoyable the original series was, whereas the first film remained a poor follow-up. Thankfully, the second movie is a stronger sequel. It contains sophisticated storylines, intelligent themes, and emotional depth. Although it never reaches the excellence of its predecessor, Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix is a decent entry for this beloved franchise.

One of the most memorable storylines in the original series is Mafuyu's grief over his ex-boyfriend. The second Given movie revisits this plot and delves deeper into the emotional trauma. Yuki's death devastated Mafuyu the most, but it also affected Hiiragi & Shizu, the other childhood friends in their group of four. The film brings these side characters to the forefront and explores their backstories. Hiiragi's perspective offers new insights into Mafuyu & Yuki's relationship, adding another dimension to their past. Mafuyu's heartache becomes even more multifaceted than before.

I'm so impressed with this movie's intelligent themes, which are complex and meaningful. In one storyline, Uenoyama agrees to finish a song Yuki wrote before his death. This plot mirrors how Uenoyama becomes Mafuyu's new boyfriend and fills the voids Yuki left behind. Mafuyu feels tormented when he notices the similarities between his two lovers, which triggers his grief. Uenoyama must navigate carefully, helping Mafuyu heal from trauma without erasing Yuki's memories. The film compares it to restoring an artwork, an elegant metaphor for their relationship.

Given Movie 2 is less compelling when the focus shifts to the new couple, Hiiragi and Shizu. Their relationship drama feels awkwardly inserted into the narrative. Since the film only has one hour to build the plot, it relies on short flashbacks and clunky exposition to rush through the backstory. It reduces the couple's history and delivers a watered-down version of their romance. With that said, I still like both characters. Hiiragi is lively and charismatic, while Shizu can be hilariously deadpan. I wish Given Movie 2 had more time to flesh out their thoughts and feelings.

While not well executed, Hiiragi and Shizu's relationship has some juicy highlights. The movie teases their sexual tension in a few memorable moments, and there's enough BL content to make me appreciate them as a couple. Despite being minor characters, Akihiko and Haruki are also physically affectionate. Their scenes are like fanservice to compensate for their lack of intimacy in the first film. During romantic encounters, Given understands the importance of ambiance. It creates a sensual atmosphere through close-ups of facial expressions and body parts.

Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix has a happy ending for Hiiragi and Shizu, who confirm their feelings for each other in an expected outcome. While I'm glad for them, I'm not surprised or moved by the conclusion. The film leaves Mafuyu's story arc unresolved, hinting at his emotional distress as memories of Yuki resurface. I'm intrigued, but we must wait until the next movie to continue this journey. The cliffhanger is frustrating, though I'll try to be patient. Overall, Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix is a solid sequel. It successfully expands on the original story and enriches the emotions.