Given: On the Other Hand – Anime Review

Uenoyama is a high school student and guitarist for an amateur rock band. The band consists of four members: Mafuyu (vocalist), Haruki (bassist), and Kaji (drummer). Haruki and Kaji are university students, whereas Uenoyama and Mafuyu are still in high school. Despite their age differences, the four of them get along well.

Mafuyu joined the band recently. He experienced a rush of adrenaline after performing for his first live audience. Feeling inspired, Mafuyu is interested in learning more about music. He asks for mentoring help from Kaji, who has extensive musical knowledge and experience. The pair would hang out at Kaji's house or attend concerts this summer. Mafuyu finds these sessions rewarding, and he's growing more as a musician.

After their first live performance, Uenoyama kissed Mafuyu. They confessed their feelings for each other and became boyfriends soon afterwards. Although they started dating, the couple hasn't spent much time together lately. Mafuyu is always busy with Kaji, while Uenoyama is stuck in school taking remedial classes. Uenoyama starts getting annoyed by his boyfriend's busy schedule. Why does it seem like Mafuyu and Kaji are always hanging out together?

Given: On the Other Hand is a short twenty-minute anime special. The story's timeline occurs after the first movie but before the second film, so it's like a transition between the two. It doesn't contain significant plot development, meaning you can jump directly from the first to the second movie without missing much. With that said, the Given special provides additional context to help you understand the characters better. It's worth a watch if you want to flesh out the storyline more.

The anime special does several things well. What I like most about it is the focus on romance. The series and movies have sophisticated storylines with character growth or meaningful themes. As a result, the relationship arc must share the spotlight with all the other plots. In contrast, this short special feels less busy. It benefits from a simpler narrative, which only concentrates on the newly dating couple. Given: On the Other Hand includes several exchanges between Uenoyama and Mafuyu, fleshing out their attraction. I understand their relationship dynamics much better now.

Early on, jealousy strikes Uenoyama. He's annoyed his boyfriend spends too much time with Kaji during the summer. The conflict quickly escalates, leading to a memorable confrontation in the classroom. Their exchange is full of fun flirtation. Previously, the couple's first kiss came during an emotionally charged moment. In this special, they share physical affection in a more relaxed setting. Even without the high-stakes drama, Uenoyama and Mafuyu still have an exciting spark. I enjoy seeing them behave romantically in a casual interaction.

Sex is on Uenoyama's mind. His self-consciousness creates funny scenes, highlighting the character's hilariously neurotic personality. Unlike Uenoyama, Mafuyu isn't preoccupied with physical intimacy. Instead, he's still grieving over his ex-boyfriend, so starting a new relationship doesn't come naturally to him. Mafuyu's vulnerability adds complexity to the story. Beyond romantic fluff and sexual tension, this anime special continues Mafuyu's journey as he struggles to move on from past trauma. The original anime's emotional depth echoes in this short special.

Despite a few emotional moments, Given: On the Other Hand is mostly lighthearted. The story prefers a relaxed tone and never becomes too angsty. I like how it injects humour with various jokes and gags. My favourite is whenever Uenoyama and Hiiragi interact, as both hot-headed characters clash over a hilarious rivalry. This anime understands how to write their funny banter, especially the scenes that compare them to adorable cats. Most fans only remember Given for its emotional drama, but this special reminds you that it also has a cheeky sense of humour.

Given: On the Other Hand suffers due to its short length. Despite the playful jokes and romantic moments, this twenty-minute special doesn't have time to build an extensive narrative. It must compromise some depth in the plot, especially near the end. I would've loved to see the music performances during the competition, yet it skips over these scenes entirely. Also, the anime never dives deeply into its themes and repeats the same messages as the original series. As much as Given: On the Other Hand entertains me, it isn't a substantial story and never reaches great heights. Ultimately, it's just a cute piece of romantic fluff, but I still enjoy the special for what it is.