Given S1: Analysis By A Rookie Guitarist In A Band

Hi! My name is Nostalgia and this website, Chromatic Dreamers, is my 3rd attempt at a rookie anime cover band. The farthest my past attempts made it to was the 1st rehearsal.

I have been a fan of anime since childhood and discovered Japanese music in middle school. I’ve taken music all through school and played other instruments casually then, but I picked up guitar a few years ago as an adult. At this point, I’ve been learning for about 2.5 years in total with some long breaks in-between, but now I’m dedicated as I’ve been bringing my teenage band dream to life 🙂

I first watched Given last year in 2021. I was simply looking for music anime to rate and review, and Crunchyroll recommended Given one day. I didn’t know it was a BL and it was the first I watched (Well, Yuri on Ice is considered a Sports anime, and I was too young to notice the gay hints in Nabari no Ou), but that didn’t matter at all. The show, the music, the characters, everything was amazing!

I even love it more than K-ON!! I found the series very accurate and relatable from a musical aspect, only fault being how quickly Mafuyu learns (definitely impossible for 3-4 months of playing. I did an analysis on anime guitar prodigies in this article).

Now that I got this blog, I wanted to watch the series again and actually talk about the musical aspects of the show. I’m sure there’s dozens of reviews talking about the romance side or about loss and grief, but a good 60% of the show is based off of musicians and their journey to the stage, so I think that deserves to be talked about as well!

There’s definitely a lot that beginners can learn from this, and also little nuggets of knowledge for those who want to be in a band and play on stage one day. Who better than I, a guitar beginner, a band leader, and an anime/Japan fan to share things others may not notice ^_^

Episode 1

That theme song, my goodness. That’s definitely what caught me the first time. I just knew it was going to be a great show! <3

I didn’t catch this the first time, but it’s good to know. Uenoyama says he first started playing guitar in Grade 6, and by the time he was in High School (Grade 10), he was able to play all that he wanted. 4 years of serious practice and consistent growth is definitely a decent timeline for his skills.

Like many players in the real world, the more they learn, the more their excitement begins to fade. What once seemed cool and exciting isn’t as impressive once they learn to do it themselves. Many players also stop improving as they can play what they want and they get comfortable playing what they know. They love playing guitar but their passion and eagerness to learn more has worn off.

Uenoyama bumps into Mafuyu and he is annoyed that he is sitting there with a broken guitar acting like the world is ending. Honestly, it really doesn’t take much time or money to fix a string. And if Mafuyu didn’t know how, he can just bring it in to a music store, and they will change it for a small fee. It really isn’t that big of a deal ^^” Ueno proves that by how quickly he changed the strings.

After playing a chord, Mafuyu is blown away and is eager to have Ueno teach him. Ueno acts reluctant, but he isn’t really. Many guitarists aim to be admired by others. Regardless of how long they’ve been playing or where their skill is at, after putting so much time and effort into learning, praise is certainly an ego booster.

As you’ll see later, his sister doesn’t really give a damn and find him annoying. There’s also just so many guitarists in the world at this point that it’s hard to stand out or find someone who admires your playing. So while Ueno acts like he wants to tell Mafuyu to just ‘f- off’, clearly, he’s not that serious about brushing off a fan.

Mafuyu ends up following him to band practice, and I love how much the band wants to impress him. Ueno mentions that ‘he doesn’t know shit’ and I would think that would make anything they play even more impressive to Mafuyu ^^” The more you know as a musician, the less impressive other musicians are, trust me. Anyways, they set up their gear, you see cables and pedals. One uses a tuning pedal as well. I just love the attention to detail.

They play “Session”, a short instrumental track, that could be considered Math Rock due to it’s 5/4 time signature and twinkly riffs. I actually didn’t recall this being in the 1st episode, but my goodness! What a way to show us what this band and show is all about.

It’s assumed that this track is improvised since the other members are following Ueno’s lead after hearing a few bars. If I was in that room listening to that song for the first time, I would definitely be just as amazed as Mafuyu.

When Ueno gets home, he asks his older sister, Naoka, what he was like when he first started learning. She just mentions him strumming all the time and he kinda regrets asking her. He couldn’t recall that memory and he wondered if his eyes lit up the same way Mafuyu’s did.

Part of why I’m so passionate about blogging as a beginner is because those memories are still fresh to me. In guitar groups, Advanced players always give vague advice, or ‘just have fun’, ‘just feel it’, but we aren’t at a level to do so yet. We barely have our chords and scales down, we’re still training our ears, we really do need instructions and tips. If they’re not a teacher, it’s hard for them to put themselves back in our shoes and tell us what we should do or learn next.

Anyways, after Mafuyu goes missing for a few days, he shows up at the rehearsal studio. He changed his strings himself, which…is kind of a waste of the fresh strings Ueno just got him, but I get that he wants to prove that he’s eager to learn. He has been attending the K-on (Light music) club, and has been practicing a lot, which we can tell via the Band-Aids on his fingers.

New guitar learners need to develop calluses, which are rough and thick fingertips. This develops naturally over time with regular practice due to the trauma the sharp metal strings cause as you continue to put pressure on them.

It is actually quite painful to play guitar in your first couple weeks and you may only be able to play for 5-10 minutes before you need a break. Mafuyu doesn’t have calluses yet but is playing longer than he should, thus, he is enduring a lot of pain to learn 🙁

Episode 2

We start this episode in the stairway where Ueno says he will teach him. Clearly, Mafuyu was not going to drop it. That’s a lesson for yall, be persistent! Just don’t get a restraining order ^^”

Mafuyu is curious about why their guitars are different. Ueno says he has is a Fender Telecaster, while Mafuyu has a Gibson Hollowbody. These are real guitars, and I display the guitars of anime characters in this article. Ueno is annoyed that Mafuyu doesn’t know anything about guitars or what model he has.

Why is he annoyed? I, too, though Ueno was being a bit unfair as beginners usually don’t know or care about brands and models, but I definitely get it now.

Mafuyu owns a Gibson which is highly admired and established guitar brand. Not only that, but he has the Gibson ES-330, which you can get for $3000, but I also see ads right now for $5000, $10,000 etc. Depending on the age, condition, place of origin and other factors, the price can certainly waver.

For a beginner to own such a pricey guitar, and for him to not know a thing about it clearly doesn’t make much sense. One logical conclusion would be that his dad gave it to him and that’s what Ueno asked but Mafuyu said ‘no’.

A high schooler wouldn’t able to afford that himself, but if he could, he would know more about the guitar he’s buying. And who outside of one’s family would give him a pricey guitar? Doesn’t make much sense for him to own it. It’s the equivalent of a teenager who doesn’t have his license and doesn’t know anything about cars owning a Ferrari.

When Mafuyu plays an untuned guitar.. *Shivers*. I grew up with music so it’s hard to listen to that. I have read threads and stories of people who kept practicing with an out of tune guitar. They don’t notice or care but everyone around them does. You do need to tune your guitar every time you play because so many things can change the tuning.

Ueno then tries to tell Mafuyu some terminology but he doesn’t know any. That’s definitely something one has to learn super early on as it will be used for instructions and maintenance later on. Pegs, frets, nut, bridge, you gotta learn them.

It’s sweet that Ueno is drawing out a diagram for him. But he also has a hard time thinking what isn’t common or basic knowledge. It is hard being a teacher, but I admire that Ueno is trying hard to teach him all he needs to know.

Later, Ueno is in rehearsal with his bandmates and asks if Mafuyu can continue to come by and hang with them. While this may not seem like a big deal to some, many bands and music leaders would say it’s best to avoid guests when practicing as they are usually a distraction.

You are paying for your rehearsal room so you need to use your time wisely, especially if you are preparing for a gig. A girlfriend, for example, will certainly shift the member’s focus, and may get in the way of practice if they need attention or ask questions or brings food or whatever.

Thankfully, Haruki and Akihito don’t seem to mind. I know they get an ego boost impressing the newbie, but I’m sure they also see how motivated and excited Ueno has become since meeting him. After writing this, the boys acknowledge that Ueno’s a good boy for asking them first.

Next, we see Ueno teach Mafuyu how to plug his guitar into an amp. For non musicians, it may not seem like a big deal, but I’m sure many newbies have blasted their ear due to this. Plugging in or out without turning it off or lowering the volume has a risk.

Ueno decides to let him learn the hard way but he’s a quick learner. If you’re a new musician with a band, definitely get earplugs. I got some for all my members, and I always put mine in before messing with the amps at the studio, just in case. I’d rather not be deaf by the time I’m 30.

A bit after, the band brings up that Mafuyu will need money if he plans to be a guitarist. Very sad, but very true.

The basics will include an amp, cables, tuner, spare strings and maybe various pics to try. If you plan to practice regularly and perform, you will need a guitar stand, pedals and a pedal board, maintenance tools, a backup or different guitar, recording devices etc. If he’s going to keep joining them, he should pitch in for the cost of the rehearsal room as well. I can go on and on. It’s not a cheap hobby. Thankfully, most items have great resale value!

On the way home, Ueno asks Mafuyu a really important question: “how good do you want to be at guitar?” I get that many just pick it up for fun and maybe just want to learn enough chords to sing to their favourite songs, but if you want to go beyond that, it’s good to have a goal or an idea in mind. Guitar takes a lot of practice and dedication, and there’s just so much to learn on guitar! To really improve, you need a focus for sure and at least an idea of how good you want to be.

His classmates are definitely snoopy as hell lol I get that Ueno is always sleeping or ‘dead’ and he doesn’t seem to care much about hanging with them, but he gets up quickly to hang out with Mafuyu.

As someone who didn’t really have musical friends in school, and never had classmates who took music class seriously, afterschool clubs like choir, viola/violin lessons, and drumline were certainly a saving grace for me. Music is a social art, a team activity, so it must be great for Ueno to finally have someone around his age who is passionate about learning music.

At this point, Ueno realizes how mysterious and confusing Mafuyu is. He’s wondering how did he get such a pricey guitar but not know a single thing about music. He doesn’t even have a musician or band he looks up to or is inspired by, which is definitely weird.

It’s okay to love and appreciate music in general, but Mafuyu really doesn’t know anything. How and why would Mafuyu feel so motivated to learn guitar without any of that? And owning a possibly $5000 guitar on top of that? Again, makes no sense.

Ueno asks what does he like, and Mafuyu says there is this melody….Ueno is certainly stunned after hearing his voice. It definitely pierces your heart. We end this with Ueno asking if Mafuyu would join the band.

Episode 3

Ueno is quite frustrated and confused that Mafuyu rejected his offer to be in the band. I’d be really confused too since Mafuyu was so eager to learn and he’s already joining them during rehearsals, getting a part time job and all, it only seemed like a natural progression.

But at the same time, even without knowing Mafuyu’s reasons, joining a band is a big step that he may not feel ready for at his skill level. He may not be ready for that kind of dedication or commitment yet either.

The singer in my band, I knew she loved singing in different languages and she attempted to make a singing group years prior, so I was eager to have her in my band…but she rejected the idea initially too. I knew she’d be perfect, but she didn’t know if this would work out, and she’s not one to say she’ll join and drop out later so I get she wanted to think about it or was more on the negative side.

In Mafuyu’s case, it’s definitely a scarier commitment. He’s just starting guitar, and I’m sure it’s already intimidating playing with more experienced musicians, but now he may even have to go on stage, which is something he maybe never expected to do, at least not anytime soon. Mafuyu does his best to avoid Ueno and dodge the question.

Later, Ueno finally catches up with Mafuyu to ask hi and is about to confront him about why he rejected his offer, but Hiiragi appears and asks if that’s Yuki’s guitar. Mafuyu can’t help but run away. Ueno manages to catch up to him and it is clear Mafuyu is shaken and troubled.

Ueno asks if Yuki has anything to do with why he can’t join, he says no. Rather, it is because he feels he isn’t able to express himself, which is what singers are expected to do. I understand Ueno’s reaction here. That seems like a silly reason to reject such an amazing offer. Yes, that’s subjective, but there are emotionless singers too.

Though, I think it’s good that Mafuyu thought about this first. The best singers are able to express themselves with their music, their facials, and their voice, and he realized this is a big role to play, one that he didn’t think he could do. Instead of joining just to get fame and attention, he rejected for the sake of the band.

However, from episode one, I thought Mafuyu was quite expressive as well. He’s also very brave and persistent when it comes to the things he wants or is interested in. This is a great example of people seeing themselves much differently than how others see them.

But yes, after some convincing, Mafuyu asks Ueno if he is fine with him. After saying yes, he said he would love to join. Mafuyu always wanted to join, but again, he was considering the band first which is sweet. Just like how I had to convince my singer that I think they are great for the role and discovering that they always wanted to sing in a band, it was a lot easier to get her on board.

That’s a lesson for yall as well. People say ‘no’ due to fears, insecurities, or consideration of others, but sometimes you just need to push and encourage them, and let them know they are enough, they are all you need and are looking for. They just need someone who believes in them and/or what they could be one day 🙂

Episode 4

At the beginning of this episode, Ueno is writing the rhythm guitar parts for Fuyu no Hanashi. I didn’t recall or notice the first time (obviously), so when I made the anime prodigy review, I was trying to recall if Mafuyu was so good or ‘such a prodigy’ that he was able to write his own parts.

After a few scenes with people not minding their business about other’s relationships, Mafuyu and Ueno are seen practicing. Ueno brings up pedals and the effects they can do, along with their costs. Despite pedals being quite small and only able to do 1 kind of thing (maybe 2 if you’re lucky), they do average $50-$200, with some going beyond $500. There are cheaper ones but they are cheap for a reason, such as being low quality or being made of plastic.

A performing guitarist tends to have at least 3-5 pedals, which would include a tuner, distortion, overdrive, and a few other popular ones like a chorus or wah-pedal. I’ve seen other touring guitarists have 10-12 pedals on their board. *Does a Google Search* So, they say there are 23 common/standard pedals, but of course there are probably another 20+ other unique and random pedals, like this Hatsune Miku one. Poor Mafuyu….so much to learn in such little time.

After a rehearsal montage, the group is at the table and they discuss their music interests. I always find it ironic that while some Western fans may really love Japanese music for how beautiful and unique it is, many Japanese musicians are highly influenced by Western artists. Music is universal~

When talking about previous bands they were in, they mention that they all had similar taste in music so there was bloodshed. But in this band, their differences is how and why they get along. It took me a moment to process but it makes sense.

In a place where everyone knows too much about a specific topic, everyone will have their own opinion on how things should be and what’s right, what’s authentic, etc. If you’re the odd one out, it’s very awkward. On the other hand, if you’re in a place where everyone is different, you tend to be more curious and open to what other’s have to say, and you’ll end up working together to create something original, a fusion of sorts. That’s how we get some new and alternative genres after all.

Now, Haruki is at work and a customer, his friend, comes in. He mentions how refreshing it is to have a singer, as they were an instrumental trio up until that point. While instrumental music is definitely great, there’s only so much one can do.

I did talk to a musician who replied to my band ad, and he said how he had a band who had many great songs written, but they were unable to find a singer. It took too long, spirits died, and they fell apart. He was actually quite jealous that I had not just one, but two (bassist) in my band.

I know singers are hard to find. You’d think they’re a dime a dozen, especially since there are way more singers than musicians, but most would rather work solo than to come out to band rehearsal and work on new songs with others. In my case, finding not just a dedicated singer but onw who could sing in another language was going to be difficult, which is why I was dead set on getting my friend to be the singer in my band.

It’s a new day and Ueno is waiting at the station and Mafuyu is only 3 minutes, he may seem a bit impatient, but listen, Japanese people are very punctual. Their trains are also very punctual, so there’s really no excuse to be late. Turns out, they were at different exists. Ueno should have been more precise because Shibuya station is HUGE (Been there. Google says 3million people use it a day!). There’s a scene where they pass by Hachinko, the dog statue, which is a more common meeting spot at this location.

They first check out a guitar focused store. First music store experience is always quite overwhelming. Being a beginner, you really don’t know anything about anything, and suddenly there’s so many options right in front of you! While I’ve been to a music store a few times in the past, it was for other instruments and books, so the guitar section was ignored until now.

A pedal was probably the first thing I really went shopping for as well, since I got my guitars second hand or online due to the pandemic. Just like in the show, there is quite a variety of pedals, and they’re quite colourful as well! They do look quite cute, but I know the colours are to make them stand out more on your pedal board and on stage when there’s a lot of lights on you.

Just like the show, pedals are behind locked glass. You are allowed to try them but would need assistance. Over in the west, music stores tend to be more self-service. Employees are hard to find and it feels like they are purposely avoiding you. Casually guitarists who just walk in and jam without buying anything may love it, but beginners and other instrument players would definitely like some assistance, and good customer service at that. Hopefully Japan doesn’t have as much egos in the store ^^”

Anyways, back to Mafuyu. Ueno picks out one for him and he ends up liking it. Sadly, it’s 12000 Yen (about $120) a bit too much for the new part-timer. So they go to another general music store to see if they have any used ones for cheaper. Luckily they do for 7000 Yen (about $70), which is a great discount, but still a bit out of his budget. He then asks about layaway. Many music stores do offer payment plans and rent-to-buy, which makes these pricey items more accessible to others.

Episode 5

Finally I was trying to remember just how much time Mafuyu has been learning guitar when I made my Anime Guitar Prodigy Analysis article. In Japan, the school year starts in March and someone online said they performed early summer, but I was trying to find a date. It was mentioned in the show: July 7.

As I said in my review, Mafuyu’s part in Fuyu no Hanashi is actually quite difficult, even for me with 2 years practice. It has open chords, power chords, barre chords, and more which requite quite a stretch. It’s also a 16th note strumming pattern which is done at a really quick pace. It is impossible for 3 months for sure, but now I can see how he spends the remaining time learning and preparing for it.

They also say it’s been less than 2 months since Mafuyu joined, so I suspect it’s about May, or early June at this point. They question if it may be too soon for him but also express some confidence…though Ueno comes right out and says ‘Mafuyus guitar skills aren’t up to par right now’. I am a little jealous that Mafuyu get’s such a big opportunity so early on, but I also know if I were in his shoes, I would definitely not be ready for the stage.

Haruki falling in love with Akihiko *shaking my head*…NO DATING IN BANDS!! IT’S A RULE!

Now we get a bit of Haruki’s backstory. He was in a band but the singer quit and the band kinda dissolved after that, similar to the story I told earlier who was unable to find a singer. After seeing Ueno perform, he wanted to talk to him, but was unable due to his own band drama.

By chance, Akihiko sits next to him in class and he notices a snare case. Fate just has a way eh? I’ve read quite a few stories and they all just somehow came along, friends, friends of friends, bumping into people, some had to be the chaser and convince people like me haha.

We also get a scene where Aki has a drumkit in a basement. The walls are metal which makes me believe it’s soundproofed. You’ll notice when Ueno plays at home, he has headphones on and plays quietly to himself. This is because, in Japan, homes have very thin walls, but due to their community mindset, everyone is very considerate of their neighbours.

In my previous article about Japanese School Bands and why they’re so good, you’d be surprised that most of them play 30+ hours during the week, and this is almost all at school since they can’t play at home. And even then, they will still distance themselves from other students, like we see in K-on!! where there club room is in a corner on the top floor. For a rock band, a rehearsal studio really is a vital place to practice if they want to succeed.

Now, the band is grabbing a bite at Yakiniku (BBQ) to discuss things. Haruki is sharing his opinions, but is totally being ignored by his mates who are keeping a sharp eye on when the beef is ready. Totally relatable. I’m always thinking, planning, researching, but it can be hard to catch people via chat. Someone has to leave early or they’re hungry so we get food, but then it’s hard to keep the topic on the band. I feel for you Haruki~

Episode 6

So they all agree that Mafuyu should write his own lyrics, and Mafuyu is a bit reluctant. The other’s are trying to give him tips and advice and I will say, many rock musicians and guitarist give horrible advice. “Just feel it” “just have fun” “just write and it’ll come to you”. Perhaps this works for them, or maybe it’s just a guy thing. Who knows. I’m a logical learner so maybe it just doesn’t work for me ^^”

When Mafuyu asks Haruki how he would feel about someone disappearing, it’s not only a hard question to answer, but it’s also hard to tell what the asker has gone through or is implying. However, it’s also not very shocking in a way.

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, especially among youth. Whether Mafuyu is or isn’t responsible for the suicide, it wouldn’t become a big police investigation or anything, and it’s rare anyone would go to jail for it.

I felt really bad for Ueno here. Of course it would hurt to hear the person you’re crushing on loves someone else. But I will say, shows like this, along with many other animes and Jdramas I watched over the years are why I always say what I gotta say. Confessions, apologies, admiration, anger, even if it’s regarding something 10 years in the past, it’s nice to get it off your chest and live with no regrets. We really never know when it will be our last day or their last day. Be sure to tell your friends and family that you love them!

Episode 7

A bit of drama at band rehearsal. Uenos mad that Mafuyu hasn’t improved a whole lot and is making the same mistakes. His bandmates stop him and tell him it’s his responsibility to be supportive. Mafuyu is a beginner, he is trying his best to learn and he agreed to join the band after Ueno pushed him, but he’s not going to be a star player in a few weeks, especially playing such difficult songs.

Surprisingly though, the next day at rehearsal, they are surprised at his growth. We can see the calluses and blisters on his fingers, so he was probably practicing all night.

Akihiko now shares his backstory. He loved violin and he was pretty good to get 2nd place! But he can’t help but feel insecure and small compared to Ugetsu who came in 1st. Just like many others, despite being quite good, they compare themselves to someone who seems to be more naturally gifted and they give up. He then decides to give drums a try. Drums aren’t melodic or beautiful at all in comparison, so I’m a bit curious on the switch, though I have an idea.

This part where Mafuyu tries to play his part without looking…very very accurate. Playing without looking at your hands, especially as a beginner is extremely hard. It is possible, but it does requite a lot of practice and effort. Open chord (cowboy) songs are a lot easier as your hand usually stays in 1st position near the nut, but anything else definitely requires a lot of feeling and getting comfortable to the location of your hands. Some guitarists make it look so easy though!

They end this episode saying it may be best for them to take a break. People will have different opinions on this. Some would rather practice more as the day appears, but for others, a chance to relax or to practice on their own and work on their trouble spots may be more beneficial. I take a lot of breaks myself, usually cause I’m caught up blogging and researching theory, but I find when I come back, I’m refreshed and excited to try out new things I’ve learned.

Episode 8

The episode starts with the drummer, Akihiko, asking his….significant other(?) Ugetsu if he would like to come to his gig. Ugetsu is surprised and asks if Akihiko is good enough to be watched.

This is definitely something I want to talk about, but how do I explain this? Some individuals love having their friends and family see everything they do, but for many others, it’s a lot easier to perform in front of strangers than loved ones and colleagues, especially if they aren’t confident in their skills yet.

Another reason why one may hesitate inviting people is because it’s something niche or in an environment they don’t feel that person would want to be in. Not everyone likes concerts, so asking someone to pay and be in that environment just to watch you may be inconsiderate.

My band has a gig at an anime convention. I told my mom, just cause I was proud to land us something. But now, she regularly asks when it is, but I don’t plan to invite her. If you’re not an anime fan, conventions are certainly….a foreign and weird place for you haha. I don’t expect other friends to come, but if they hear and they want to, then who I am I stop them?

In Akihiko’s situation though, he truly admires and looks up to Ugetsu, and Ugetsu is a bit smug when it comes to his abilities, brutally telling others that they suck. Akihiko still wants to impress him though, but he would only want to show him if he feels it’s praise worthy.

My supervisor is a skilled drummer who has been in the music industry for ages. He told me how he plans to upload videos to Facebook for the first time, but he is actually quite nervous as some artists he looks up to will see it. It can definitely be intimidating playing for other musicians, especially ones who you know are above you.

While I haven’t commented much on relationships, I must say, this story and plot would not have worked or had the same impact with straight relationships. Mafuyu will feel lonely losing his childhood friend, but it adds a deep complexity since Yuki was also his lover. Not to mention, feeling responsible for why he is gone. It’s not really something he could talk about to anyone. Guys already have a hard time processing and talking about their emotions. I find it admirable that he’s trying to confront these feelings and make peace with his past.

Now, Hiiragi tries to confront Mafuyu again. Mafuyu has stopped running away, which I find really brave. Turns out, Hiiragi is also trying to make peace and find forgiveness. We get to learn more about their past and how they were all friends, but Yuki and Mafuyu were like kindred spirits and completed each other. It’s interesting to see Mafuyu be more quiet and introverted here, seems like he is more outgoing after what happened.

They ended up going to different schools, and I’m curious why. I hope it is revealed in Season 2. The other 3 end up making a band and Yuki gets a part time job as well. Clearly, Yuki wouldn’t have much time to see Mafuyu and perhaps Yuki felt more lonely and isolated than usual. They then have a fight, and a couple days later, Yuki, who wasn’t a drinker, drank too much booze and passed away 🙁 Mafuyu was the one that found his body. I can’t imagine how Mafuyu must have felt ;_______;

They are now at the Venue for a dress rehearsal. The big show is going on later that evening. This is a chance for bands to get to know each other, to play through the songs, do a mic and volume check, fix any errors ahead of time.

The host then gathers them together and let’s them know the order of the bands. I agree with putting The Seasons 2nd. They are a new band and they aren’t exactly ‘ready. If they do crash and burn, at least there are some more established acts after them to end the night well. The host decides to put themselves first which is a great way to open and introduce the others.

The band is clearly anxious but are trying to be positive. This may be wishful thinking but at the same time, there are many cases and scenarios where things somehow work out on stage. It may be a mix of the adrenaline one gets in front of a crowd, or perhaps they drank and their nerves went down, allowing them to play more confidently.

I’m definitely someone who would rather practice the way I’m going to perform as I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but as they say, all musicians mess up on stage, even the pros. As long as you don’t make it obvious that you made a mistake, people generally won’t notice or care. In this case though, we have Mafuyu who is still a beginner guitarist and does not have his lyrics ready yet. I can only imagine how much pressure is on him.

Haruki then asks his friend, the host, that if anything happens, can they go ahead and plan an extra song or two. Haruki’s definitely someone who thinks ahead like me. While it is definitely bad for a group to play longer and delay a show, especially with so many acts after them, at least he’s the host. He can do what he wants ^^”

If you plan to perform, even if it’s an open mic, always have additional songs available for emergencies and encores. Regardless, it is better they play longer than for there to be a big silent gap and the crowd is wondering what’s going on. It would look especially bad on The Seasons to not be ready when they are supposed to go on.

The show has begun dun dun duuuun. Ueno says ‘we’re screwed’ and suggests that they just keep it an instrumental. The others seem to agree and Ueno says he is quite relieved. Mafuyu is visibly disappointed. He may have been thinking about it, but just wasn’t ready to sing during rehearsals, I don’t know.

Mafuyu gets mad at Ueno and says that’s the first time he’s given up. However, I have to take Ueno’s side in this. Anyone would just do what’s best. ‘Mafuyu’s lyrics aren’t ready, it’s that simple. It’s too late now, let’s just forget it.’ Ueno get’s mad though and ends up breaking a string…this is literally the worst timing.

Episode 9

Everyone is shocked. Ueno says ‘its over’…a little dramatic honestly. Yes, it’s bad timing and a bad image for their first act, but they can always borrow another person’s guitar or something. Anyways, neither Mafuyu nor Ueno has spare strings on them. Ueno definitely should have had some since he’s performed many times before. They always tell musicians to be prepared and have lots of spare cables, strings, and even a spare guitar if possible.

But…perhaps this is irony. In the first episode, the string was broken and Mafuyu acted like it was the end of the world, not knowing it could be fixed. This time around, Ueno is acting like it’s the end of the world, even though he fixed it before.

Anyways, Haruki, being the mature calm leader that he is, tells Ueno to run to shop and fix it for him. Right as the current band is about to perform their last, Haruki asks for 2 or 3 more songs, giving them about 8-12 minutes with some banter.

I don’t know how close the shop is, but luckily, Ueno get’s back pretty fast (must be nice being young). I was going last episode, it only takes a couple minutes to replace a string and tune it, but Ueno decides to replace all of them. While it’s good to have new strings before a gig (cleaner, brighter sound), it shouldn’t be changes so soon before a gig. New strings take longer to stay in tune since they are being stretched for the first time. But hey, what other choice do they have?

Haruki is helping out backstage and Akihiko mentions how he has saved him. Unlike Ueno’s dramatic ‘It’s over!’ statement earlier, Akihiko is actually being honest. Some may see a band as just something fun or that people join them to get babes, but there’s a lot of other reasons why many choose to commit and dedicate their time and money to being in one. It would be a lot easier being a solo musician, and some have tried with many bands that have failed, yet they keep looking.

I do think being a musician is hard. Just like many other careers in the arts, many people don’t see a future in it. In Akihiko’s case, he was once a solo musician, but his spirits were crushed. Getting to play in a band and be part of something bigger is certainly magical, and that’s why it was one of my dreams.

My bandmates, all of them had musical dreams but didn’t really see a career in it, so they put their guitar down or stopped singing…then I came around, asked them to be part of this project, and reinspired them.

This was actual my 3rd band attempt. The other 2 didn’t get past the first rehearsal, but I was going to do whatever I had to to make it happen this time. They stuck around, and within a year, they’re actually talking to me about solo projects and musical goals they have…and we haven’t even gone on stage yet!

Aww the string analogy ;____; Comparing guitar strings to heartstrings, and while they may break, they can always be repaired, sometimes by someone else.

The band is now preparing to play on stage. Haruki is once again being ignored as he asks them about the mic and their plans for the performance…I feel you bro.

And how convenient. If the band isn’t singing, it really should be moved. A mic is like a barrier between the person and the audience. Even if the person is singing, they say they should move away from it during breaks and solos. Anyways, here we goooooooooooo!~~~~

Gotta love the shocks on everyone’s face when he first starts singing. Gosh, I heard this song over 200 times, and I’m still tearing up watching it. Man, guys need to show their emotions more. I’ve been saying that for ages, too many male suicides, and no one to comfort them. I don’t blame him for walking off though oh gosh. I’d be shaking too.

I was thinking a little earlier, how lonely Mafuyu must feel with his burden. While Mafuyu had friends and bandmates, he still had a wall cause he couldn’t talk about it. On that stage, without being straightforward about his story, he told everyone when he went through and how he felt, it took a lot of support and time, but music allowed him to express himself for the first time.

After the show, many people still remember the 2nd band which shows what an impression they made. One said they still have goosebumps to their feet. One said ‘the vocalist sucked at guitar, and wondered if he’s new, if so ‘hes going to be a great guitarist one day’.

The host is wondering how they found their singer, and Akihiko and Haruki are just cheering because they’re so happy it went well, better than they expected, actually. They were super anxious beforehand but it worked out 😛 Of course theyd be happy that their first performance together was a hit!

The host suggest they make social medias, very important. They should have done so sooner so people can follow them right away. People will easily forget your name after, even if they enjoyed your performance. They also say you should announce your band’s name a few times throughout your set, and even tell them to follow you so you don’t miss potential fans.

Mafuyu asks how was the show. He replied ‘you sucked ass, your fingers were barely moving’. I could definitely notice parts where he was playing incorrectly or when there was a break for his part. Again, attention to detail. He has never practiced singing and playing, and I don’t think he had much time for muscle memory to kick in. He got caught up in singing his truth and his guitar skills slipped away for a moment~

Episode 10

I saw that this episode was called Wonderwall, and I just remembered that every episode is named after songs, mostly Western songs. I never heard of most of the songs, most recent I heard a cover of “Creep” on this Youtube channel. But I’m definitely going to check them out when I’m done with this. Someone made a Spotify list just for that. Just a fun fact for you~

Ueno talks about this first time, sucking on stage, getting stage fright, and messing up really bad, but it still being thrilling. I told my band, we’re going to suck the first time regardless, so no point delaying that too much. You’ll only get better being on stage by being on stage more.

Damn, the adreanline hit Ueno so hard he almost forgot he kissed Mafuyu. He didn’t even drink (underage).

I really like this girl’s review of the concert. Seeing a different side of Mafuyu and knowing what it was about. She could barely stand but she at least had her boyfriend beside her. She can only imagine how he felt there alone and the courage it would have taken. I’ve only been to one rock concert, but I definitely plan to see more open mics and musical events moving forward. I’m sure it’s a different experience.

The host drops in to see bassist. Thank goodness it was recorded. I don’t think Mafuyu would remember any of his lyrics after, nor have that same energy and passion the second time. Bassist asks how he can repay him, and he says play another show for him. It really is that simple. You get a chance, you do well, you may be asked to play again or even become a regular act at a venue or bar.

I love how excited Mafuyu is to do it again, do another show. It really is like a drug. It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else. It’s scary, terrifying even, yet, many performers are excited to get back on that stage and do it again.

I know they were called The Seasons due to their names (Fuyu=winter, Aki=fall etc), but I’m thankful they realized that The Seasons has been used many, many times before. Finally, we understand where the name of the show comes from. The guitar was ‘given’ to Mafuyu, it felt like a curse but turned out to be a blessing. And like many bands, they just take something and roll with it. I put a lot of thought into Chromatic Dreamers, but hey, I’m a girl, I overthink and complicate everything haha

Mafuyu is now shopping for strings. I remember standing in front of a stand for a while. How complicated can strings get? Well, there’s steel, nickel, brass, and nylon. There’s various brands, just like guitars. Each brand will have different sets with varying thicknesses, and many overlap each other. You can’t see or touch the strings, so it’s all a guessing game. You’ll have to buy a few and try them out.

Many people though, especially beginners, won’t change their strings unless it breaks, which could take years to happen. If it does break, it can be intimidating for one to change it themselves, so they would bring it in to a shop and pay extra for a clerk to change them.

But if you are a guitarist who plans to perform and record or teach, changing your strings is definitely one of the first maintenance things you’ll learn, and it will save you a lot of money as well. They say you should change it about every 3 months, but I’m sure most guitarists will keep it much longer. They are like, $8-$15 for most packs, but some brands and thicknesses going upwards of $30-$40!

Episode 11 (Final)

Ueno recalls a memory of him and his bandmates discussing another band who’s drummer and singer got together and that caused drama where one had to leave the band. As I said earlier as well, NO DATING IN A BAND! Ueno is now feeling conflicted. Back then, he was totally against dating but now he’s feeling like a hypocrite for wanting this to happen.

At least they were upfront with it, and not hiding this from their bandmate. And that’s true, he asked Aki and told em to be upfront and there’s nothing wrong with it 😛

I love how he confronts Ueno when he said bandmate couples should ‘drop dead’, yet now, he is dead serious about being allowed to date. Poor leader LOL He’s giving them the Kpop lecture, popularity matters first, so its best to appear single and available for the fans.

At this point, while his old classmates/friends are over, Mafuyu receives a text talking about Promotional Shots, or just professional photos of the band. If one wants to be serious, they really need quality photos for online, ads, articles etc, so I had my band do that really early on. Since we are all rookies, I felt we had to work even harder and invest more to prove that we were serious to others.

Kiiragi says they should take some too and Mafuyu asks if he’s in a band. Mafuyu was aware of their old band with Yuki, but he probably wasn’t sure if they were still ongoing, or what would have happened since their guitarist is gone. Kiiragi says they have a session guitarist.

Session musicians are advanced musician who can fill in when needed, for recordings and performances. They are usually paid for their work and are expected to just do what they’re told for a role, unless they are asked to create a part for a song.

While they may work with a band long-term, they aren’t considered official members of the band, and most don’t intend to be as they would make more money working for more people. In this case though, a classmate they knew was aware of the situation and agreed to fill in.

After their shoot, they’re all quite flabbergasted. They said they have taken photos before, but they were casual, taken themselves with a timer, using a photography student, etc. Trust me when I say this, a real studio with a professional makes all the difference. Especially if they have their own studio with backgrounds and lighting. They’ll usually include touchups as well. Totally worth the money.

The last part of the season has them celebrating Haruki’s birthday, starting with a pie to the face. They’re taking pictures to share on social media with their fans. After the others head home, Haruki takes a photo of Akihiko as well. The shutter goes off.

Just a little fun fact, due to up-skirting, ‘chikan’ (train sexual assault) and other perverts in Japan, along with the general public liking their privacy, all Japanese phones have built in shutter sounds that cannot be turned off. So it’s not that Haruki forget to turn the sound off his phone, he just couldn’t. 😛

It’s a pretty bitter-sweet ending for Season 1. Some things went well, especially for Mafuyu, but I feel bad for Haruki. While everyone else is having their relationship drama, he’s been quite lonely. Guiding and helping the others, expecting nothing in return ;_____;

Final Thoughts

As I said in the intro, definitely one of my favourite music animes. I will stick to the 9.5 rating I gave it in this article where I’ve rated all the musical animes I’ve seen. While it is certainly realistic and there’s so much attention to detail that one could actually learn from it, I still have to drop half a point for Mafuyu’s unnatural growth at guitar. If it was the clarinet or or tuba, it’s certainly possible, but there’s just no way for guitar. Definitely learn more about my reasoning in my Guitar Prodigy Analysis article.

I think anyone who can look past the BL aspect and enjoy the show as it is can learn a few life lessons as well. I think we can all relate to one or two characters, or perhaps gone through something they have. Romance, grief, learning a new skill and/or having pressure on you to do well, etc. Too many animes try so hard to create crazy stories and they have many magical elements and such, but this one keeps it close to home, and I appreciate it for that.

10/10 Music. 10/10 Cast. 10/10 Plot. 10/10 Animation! I have watched the movie and even the live drama, but I’ll hold off on writing about those until the next season comes out ^_^

What did you think about Given? What’s your favourite song from the series? And guitar or band golden nuggets that I missed? Definitely leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! I look forward to discussing it with you all!

And definitely let me know if you learned anything from my review as well. I’ve been blogging for less than a year, so any feedback would be great for when I write other reviews!