jaz
Given LA - A beautiful narrative that needed a little more time *extremely light spoilers*
I just finished watching the show for the first time because I never got around to finishing it when it first came out.
After binging the show, I can say with confidence that this is one of the better J-dramas I have watched. Yes, I have watched the anime and the manga.
I believe that many people go into live adaptations expecting them to be complete carbon copies of the source material - they aren't. They are adaptations for a reason. Different mediums carry with them varying conventions and ways of protraying stories. I believe that this show was a great translation of the manga to the screeen.
The cinematography was beautiful. The acting was clean and realistic that was only aided by a well written script that didn't feel unnatural. The music, THE MUSIC. I admire their choice to change Mafuyu's song in this adaptation, it allowed to feel all the same emotions I felt when I first watched/read Given, even now years later.
The ONLY thing I regret about this show is that it really should have been longer, perhaps closer to 10 episodes - even 8 would have been great. Mafuyu and Yuki's backstory should have been an entire episode on its own. I would have loved to see Yuki's mental health struggles protrayed in more clarity as I believe it is very important for understanding the events following it. Akihiko and Haruki's relationship could have been wrapped up a little cleaner considering that this is a drama but the anime didn't really do that either so...
My favourite part of this drama was Uenoyama's character. I loved him in the manga, even more in the anime, and I love him here. Once again, his characterisation was not a direct copy of his character in the manga, but he felt more real here. An impulsive, moody, teenager who is able to fall in love with guitar again due to Mafuyu. I really liked that aspect.
Also the kiss scene was so beautiful. One of the best scenes I've seen.
All in all, I understand most people were carrying expectations from the anime/manga but, to anyone considering watching this adaptation, I would highly recommend to do so and make your judgement for yourself. I, personally, really loved it. It is not at all what you would think it is from reading these reviews.
After binging the show, I can say with confidence that this is one of the better J-dramas I have watched. Yes, I have watched the anime and the manga.
I believe that many people go into live adaptations expecting them to be complete carbon copies of the source material - they aren't. They are adaptations for a reason. Different mediums carry with them varying conventions and ways of protraying stories. I believe that this show was a great translation of the manga to the screeen.
The cinematography was beautiful. The acting was clean and realistic that was only aided by a well written script that didn't feel unnatural. The music, THE MUSIC. I admire their choice to change Mafuyu's song in this adaptation, it allowed to feel all the same emotions I felt when I first watched/read Given, even now years later.
The ONLY thing I regret about this show is that it really should have been longer, perhaps closer to 10 episodes - even 8 would have been great. Mafuyu and Yuki's backstory should have been an entire episode on its own. I would have loved to see Yuki's mental health struggles protrayed in more clarity as I believe it is very important for understanding the events following it. Akihiko and Haruki's relationship could have been wrapped up a little cleaner considering that this is a drama but the anime didn't really do that either so...
My favourite part of this drama was Uenoyama's character. I loved him in the manga, even more in the anime, and I love him here. Once again, his characterisation was not a direct copy of his character in the manga, but he felt more real here. An impulsive, moody, teenager who is able to fall in love with guitar again due to Mafuyu. I really liked that aspect.
Also the kiss scene was so beautiful. One of the best scenes I've seen.
All in all, I understand most people were carrying expectations from the anime/manga but, to anyone considering watching this adaptation, I would highly recommend to do so and make your judgement for yourself. I, personally, really loved it. It is not at all what you would think it is from reading these reviews.
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