#mafuyu satō

[foundfamilyhq]

[chelseajackarmy]

given

[bogigrell-art]

💖Mafuyu & Uenoyama Limited Edition Pin 💖

75mm big Mafuyama hard enamel pin with UV printed details + glitter effect~ Designed by me ^^ (IG: bogigrell_anime_art)

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[robotshowtunes]

Boys in the Band

[hellcatinnc]

Second Chance

Warning This includes: SFW/Angst (Read Tags Before Continuing)

Tags: sfw, angst, suicide, sadness, depression, coma, near death, angst love story, headcanon, fictional, promises, marriage, proposal, gay, boys love, boy love, bl

Word Count: 1,901

Feature: Mafuyu x Yuki (GIVEN)

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After a huge fight Yuki laid in his room in the dark thinking back to the fight him and Mafuyu had days before. He continued to drink he felt like there wasn't much to live for anymore and only him, only Mafuyu made him happy even an ounce. He had planned so many times to leave this world and then he would see Mafuyu smile at him and for a moment he forgot again. It was always that way he was his constant star that kept him grounded if nothing but for moments in life when all he wanted to do was die. He laid there in the dark and tears streamed down his face, he was sure he had lost the only person who ever loved him and that he loved. He stared at his guitar then looked at his phone holding it flipping through all his pictures of him and Mafuyu together. Tears streamed more as he took another drink of the beer downing another can. His mom was out of the house and his darkness was taking over. He wrote a note to him sharing his heart one last time.

Dear Mafuyu,

I'm so sorry I wasn't there and was worried more about my music than you. This was never further than the truth and I got lost but you were the only one I ever loved. I'm sorry I couldn't be all you needed and I'm sorry I have to leave you like this but I know you will never forgive me, you deserve better than me. I will always be with you, know this was not your fault I love you more than anything, more than life itself. Losing you was the biggest regret of my life.

Goodbye, My Love.

Yuki

As he put the letter in a envelope his phone vibrated on the table and he saw Mafuyu's number come across his phone, his heart ached as he denied the call. He got up and set a chair underneath his ceiling light as he wrapped his belt around it. His phone vibrated again it was still the same he denied it again. He stood in place on the chair as he slid the belt around his neck tears streaming down his face, his breath labored he wanted this but he hated hurting Mafuyu. His mind racing he knew he needed more than him, he needed someone not so messed up in the head. His father had killed himself it was fate he would follow one day as well. As he tightened the belt he slowly went to step off the chair when it happened the chair flipped back. He felt the belt tightening around his neck his vision started to blur, yet all he could see was Mafuyu's face he was sure it was an illusion. His words he struggled to say as the image of his face was fading... I'm sorry I said the ocean was going to kill me!"

As his whole world turned black. This should have been the end of Yuki's life, its where it all would end. Weeks later has passed and Yuki opens his eyes realizing he was in a hospital bed as he looked over and Mafuyu was asleep with his head on the bed as he was hunched over. He looked down as he reached for his hand this beautiful red headed boy looked up and their eyes met. Tears started streaming down Mafuyu's face, he couldn't hold back as he started to shake. He looked at where Yuki's hand was now on his and he broke he started to hysterically cry.

He had ran to his house that night when he couldn't reach him. He got there and he remembered where the extra key was as he ran into his bedroom just in time to see Yuki hanging from the belt and he climbed on that chair grabbing a knife off his table and cutting him down. He sat in the floor holding him thinking he had lost him he had already blacked out. He had heard his last words as he gurgled them as he was suffocating, and he wasn't ready to let him go he couldn't live his life without the one person who understood him. He called 911 while holding Yuki in the floor surrounded in beer cans until they got there. The doctors had told him and Yuki's mother he may never come to but there was hope, and ever since that day weeks before Mafuyu didn't leave his side for more than to use the bathroom in the same room. Yuki's mom would bring him food, and his mom would bring him a change of clothes but they understood he just couldn't leave Yuki.

Yuki pulled Mafuyu in to his arms in the bed as he whispered in his ear "I'm so sorry...I was weak." He lifted his chin up seeing how much he was breaking his beautiful red headed boy that he loved so much. He thought he was doing better for him, that he would be better without him as he looked into his eyes he realized he was so wrong they needed each other more than he would ever know until this moment. Mafuyu looked at him as he saw even Yuki's face was saturated in tears now as his heart hurt so bad here was his second chance her never wanted to fight ever again. Yuki could see all the worry and pain on his face as he pulled his lips into his as he captured them and what was such a soft kiss became more desperate, tears falling as they kissed like they realized it was almost the end of them. Yuki pulled him in bed with him and held him for what seemed like hours as he laid his head on Yuki's chest. Mafuyu could hear his heart beating in his chest realizing life could have been different he might have been sitting in a church saying goodbye to his love that was lost to the darkness.

After some time passed and the tears had started to subside he looked down at Mafuyu and softly spoke. "I love you, Mafuyu. I understand if you can never forgive...." He never finished before his lips were covered by Mafuyu's lips as he reached up cupping his face as he kissed him back deep with so much love and adoration mixed with his own sorrow and apologies felt in every part of that kiss. As they broke away Yuki met Mafuyu's eyes and finally spoke through his broken voice thick with pain and hurt. "You said you'd grow old with me...but you were going to leave me behind. Why?" Yuki knew it was a matter of time before he had to answer that question. He took a breath seeing how much this answer meant to Mafuyu but knew after he answered he may end up losing him anyways. He kissed his lips softly one last time just in case before answering him. "I thought after the fight I lost you. You are the only one, the only one that kept me wanting to live. The thought of living without you was too much, I couldn't take it."

They both knew there was a second chance and Mafuyu kissed him tenderly after his reply. "I want only you, forever. Don't ever try to leave me again, unless you take me with you." As his words were spoken Yuki's heart broke as his tears started to lace his eyes realizing that Mafuyu would rather die with him than live without him. Yuki looked into his eyes as he caressed his face nodding in agreement. "I'll do anything for you." He knew when he spoke those words they were truer than ever he couldn't leave this sweet boy, ever. The doctors wanted to keep him another two weeks to make sure there was no damage as well as have him follow up with a psychologist they had on staff to help with the depression he had consuming him. After a few weeks of what seemed like a challenge Yuki agreed for Mafuyu to see treatment even after he left there as well as sign up for alcohol anonymous. He had so much to prove to Mafuyu but Yuki was determined to be the man he could trust and love.

The last day they were leaving the hospital his band mates showed up leaving Mafuyu outside the room. He was alone sitting feeling like it was all happening all over again which was why they fought as it was, he hoped the second chance would teach him different. After about twenty minutes the band mates walked out smiling as they patted Mafuyu on the back comforting him. Yuki walked out of the room and walked over to him sitting in the chair in a empty waiting room. As both families and friends we present but no one else. Yuki got down on one knee in front of him pulling a ring from his pocket. "This is a promise ring, I will never try to leave you again. How stupid was this?! Let's go home!" He slid the ring on Mafuyu's finger as he pulled him close kissing his lips softly he whispered into his ear. "I quit the band!" Mafuyu's looked up at him in shock to his words, so sure there was nothing more important than that band to him but before he could speak Yuki was reading his expression and continued. "Before you ask...its what I wanted to do this is our second chance and I never want to lose you, never want to make you feel alone and like you don't matter. I love you and you will always have my heart."

He clears his throat then looks back at Mafuyu "This ring is a promise that when we are of age, I want you to marry me." Tears filled Mafuyu's eyes and he nodded excited yes as he rubbed the ring now on his wedding finger. Yuki kissed his lips as the family and friends surrounding them cheered them on. Everyone knew they were meant to be and thats how it should have always been and with the second chance they had a future awaiting them. For the first time Yuki no longer wanted to leave this world, never wanted to leave and hurt Mafuyu again. As they walked out of the hospital Yuki held his hand as he smiled over at him.

A few weeks later they were at a concert watching their friends, Yuki's old band mates play their music that Yuki had wrote. He held Mafuyu's hand tightly as he smiled at him. The next band after with the lead Uenoyama standing on stage with his other band mates, Akihiko and Haruki. They began to play as Mafuyu and Yuki held hands laced into each other, their eyes so full of love as Yuki leans down kissing his lips in front of the world. What was once hidden was now wide open and he didn't care if the world saw he loved this sweet red headed boy and planned to marry him one day. He was the anchor to this life now, he was blind for so long but no longer. They needed each other like they both needed breath in their lungs to breathe.

[pink-heart-jam]

Ten BL titles to make you cry

Special thanks to @ghaniblue who inspired this reclist!

If you’re like me and enjoy your BL occasionally sprinkled with trauma & heartbreak, I got you some good food. As you can probably tell, these BL stories are not for the faint of heart so make sure to check the tags before jumping in. Apart from Momentum - which compiles both happy and sad shorts - these are really tough reads that tackle heavy themes such as depression, prostitution, sexual and psychological abuse, addiction and the likes. Some of these are just a series of unfortunate and painful events, really. But I promise that all the suffering comes with moving love stories about healing, endurance, redemption and hope; so if you enjoy complex characters, complicated relationships, amazing world building and compelling plots, you can’t go wrong with these. Completed works are marked with an *. Stay safe and enjoy!

*Dark Heaven by Juns

Conor, a Korean-American, lives in a city where same-sex marriage has been legalized, but where racist and homophobic hate crimes are still frequent. He joins a band with Simon and the two go on to create their own “dark heaven” in an abandoned church. Feelings develop between the pair, but light cannot dwell with dark, and their time together will soon come to an end.

*December Rain by Kimon

Fresh out of the army, Suchae decides to take some time off and travel around the country by himself. On the first day of his trip, he spots a guy who looks totally his type at a rundown bus terminal. Despite the possibility of him being a creep, Suchae is drawn to the mysterious stranger. Cw: tragedy

Given by Kizu Natsuki

The series follows a group of four students in an amateur rock band, and the dual romantic relationships that form among them: between electric guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and vocalist Mafuyu Satō, and between bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.

Missing Love by In hyerin

While celebrating his engagement at a reunion, Lim Wooyeon encounters Lee Geom, who has gone missing for eight years. In a dark alley, Lee Geom, who disappeared after suddenly kissing him, awakens the regret buried in his heart.

*Momentum by Park ji-yeon

“Momentum” is a series of beautifully drawn vignettes that glimpse into the life-altering moments of several couples as they fall in and out of love. This BL features a series of characters learning how to love, understand, and forgive one another – and in some cases, the world – at different moments in their lives.

*Ouroboros by Songhyel

Woo Hyung’s life has hit rock bottom. He’s traumatized after several days of being imprisoned and abused by his brother-in-law, an event that eventually left him both wifeless and jobless. His only way of coping is sex, and two very different men who can provide exactly that show up in his life.

*Pearl Boy by Zoy, Inking

Dooshik is in a bind. After making off with the takings from the gay bar where he worked, he seeks refuge in a small, coastal town. As his funds dwindle, he desperately needs a way to make ends meet.

Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai by Yoneda Kou

Yakuza Yashiro who only ever loved Kageyama, meets his new bodyguard, Doumeki Chikara. The masochistic, lewd and beautiful Yashiro and his silent, clumsy, impotent subordinate, Doumeki. This is the story of a man who has never known happiness and a man who is reborn by getting to know him.

*Stigma by Marloong

In the dark alleys of the city, there's no hope for trash like Sehyun. Having sex with strangers in the cramped stall behind a bar is just a typical Thursday night. But after a chance encounter with the brash and violent Boris, he begins to dream of living a normal life and putting an end to his restless nights.

Under the Plum Blossom Tree by Bori, Baekha

As the son of a prestigious political figure in Joseon, Hajin has only ever been interested in studying to become like his father. That is, until he meets Kim Namwoo, a young man who takes on various odd jobs as he struggles to pass his exams. As they overcome hardships together and learn more about each other's history, they soon realize that their lives are intertwined in more ways than they thought.

[sitp-recs]

Anime Recs Pt 3

Hello hello! I’ve been sick on and off this month and had a blast revisiting my fave anime for this rec series. Following the queer friendly list and the sports anime list, I finally bring a selection of BL (boys love) titles. Most are Japanese 🇯🇵 except for Mignon 🇰🇷 and Tian Guan Ci Fu 🇨🇳 I’m not gonna lie, there’s a fair amount of adult themes and hardcore angst here, but you’ll also find sweet romance and a couple coming-of-age stories. One of my favorites from this list - Ai No Kusabi - is an old classic (I recommend the 1992 OVA series over the 2012 remake) and the quality is not the best, but all other shows are pretty recent and can be found online or on Crunchyroll. I initially planned for this to be my third and final rec list, but I got a few additional recs in the action/fantasy genre for a potential new list, if anyone’s interested? Stay tuned!

1. Ai no Kusabi (dystopian, tragedy)

Summary: This futuristic tale is set in a world ruled by a super computer Jupiter, where its cyborg creations, the Elites, rule over the human populace. Iason Mink, a high-class "Blondy" elite from the capital runs into Riki, a "Mongrel" from the slums, and makes him his "Pet". As Riki learns of the dangers Iason faces by keeping him, he finds himself developing feelings for his master.

2. Banana Fish (mafia, tragedy)

Summary: Set primarily in New York City in the 1980s, the series follows street gang leader Ash Lynx as he uncovers a criminal conspiracy involving "banana fish", a mysterious drug that brainwashes its users. In the course of his investigation he encounters Eiji Okumura, a Japanese photographer's assistant with whom he forms a close bond.

3. Doukyuusei (movie - school, romance)

Summary: Rihito Sajo, an honor student with a perfect score on the entrance exam and Hikaru Kusakabe, in a band and popular among girls, would have never crossed paths. Until one day they started talking at the practice for their school’s upcoming chorus festival.

4. Given (school, music)

Summary: High schooler Ritsuka Uenoyama is the guitarist for a band composed of himself, bassist Haruki Nakayama, and drummer Akihiko Kaji. He becomes a reluctant guitar teacher to Mafuyu Satō, a shy classmate, after repairing the broken strings on Mafuyu's Gibson ES-330. See also: Given movie.

5. Mignon (short series - vampire romance + the hottest smut you’ll see today!!!!🥵)

Summary: Centered on BL Vampire themes, the story portrays Mignon, an underground fighter in love with his doctor, who is coincidentally a vampire. The doctor's revelation triggers complications as their relationship unfolds.

6. Saezuru Tori Wa Habatakanai | Twittering Birds Never Fly (movie - mafia, drama)

Summary: The sexually masochistic yakuza boss, Yashiro, isn't the type to warm up to others easily. But when Chikara Doumeki, his newly hired bodyguard, catches his interest, he reconsiders his "hands-off" policy with subordinates. See also the side story: Don’t Stay Gold.

7. Sasaki and Miyano (school, romance)

Summary: Shy and easily flustered Miyano harbors an embarrassing secret - he is a "fudanshi", a boy who likes boys' love manga. Intrigued, the clueless delinquent Sasaki requests to borrow one, marking a shift in their strange dynamic.

8. Tiān Guān Cì Fú | Heaven’s Official Blessing (romance)

Summary: Crown Prince Xie Lian ascends to the heavens for the third time as the laughing stock among all three realms. On his first task, he meets a mysterious ghost who rules the ghosts and terrifies the heavens, yet, unbeknownst to Xie Lian, this ghost king has been paying attention to him for a very, very long time.

9. Umibe No Étranger (movie - romance)

Summary: On an island off the coast of Okinawa, two young men meet on a beach. Shun Hashimoto is gay and aspires to be a novelist. He is interested in Mio Chibana, a somber high school student, and starts to flirt with him. Day by day, the two of them grow closer, but then, suddenly, Mio decides to leave the island.

10. Yuri!!! On ICE (sports, romance)

Summary: Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki faces a crushing defeat during the Grand Prix finals and heads home, unsure of whether or not he wishes to continue his skating career. After a video of Yuri mimicking Russian figure skater Victor Nikiforov's routine goes viral, Victor decided to become Yuri's coach, much to the dismay of his coach, his fans, and his fellow Russian skater Yuri Plisetsky.

[omnitheist27]

The 40: Catch the Bullet

"To answer your question, you get to be a superhero by believing in the hero within you and summoning him or her forth by an act of will." - Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias

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@the-ravenclaw-werewolf, @purplemochi20055, @hulkchloron99, and @r3dp4nd4ch1ld

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I decided to bust out my drawing tablet and use Photoshop again to create a comic for The 40, and I will say...it's a start for me to brush up on my digital illustration skills.

Izuku has come a long way after his year-long intense training regiment compared to his Pre-Character Development self. But the most gracious physical feat he had performed that would make Bakugou jealous and All Might proud, was being able to catch a bullet fired from a revolver.

I was looking over Alan Moore's well-known comic, Watchmen, and was greatly interested in Ozymandias' character and the astonishing physical and mental feats he's able to perform after dedicating himself to training his mind and body by retracing the steps of Alexander the Great by traveling the world. The one thing that interests me about how he managed to become what he is, is through his interview in the second to last issue. Where Adrian firmly believes that anyone can do what he can achieve, as you need to have the belief and willpower to see it through.

And what do you know...Izuku manages to do the impossible after the many trials that await him in the year-long intense training regiment. Reacting immediately upon seeing an unknown assailant pull a revolver on him, and summoning all of his willpower and technique to time his catching of the bullet correctly. However, like with Ozymandias, Izuku's skin was damaged from the bullet due to the obvious friction from the speed it had. But it's still a great accomplishment compared to his pre-training self, as the bullet would've burst through his hand and killed him, never mind the idea that he could actually catch it.

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Afterward reaction from the other members of The 40.

Spike Spiegel: Shhiieeeeeeeeettt kid...you actually caught it...

Levi Ackerman: Well I'll be damned...

Zuko: Izuku...you did it.

Korra: That...was the most craziest thing you have ever done.

Saitama: ...Good for him...

Mob: That was close!

Edward Elric: How is that possible?

Ishigami Senku: That can't be scientifically possible!

Gojo: Bwa ha ha ha! Amazing!

Hanako: That was close.

Souma: Holy crap!

Mako: Whoo hoo Izuku-kun!

Kobayashi: That was too close for comfort!

Tohru: (worryingly) Izuku-kun!

Chika: Hmm...I must keep a close eye on this one.

Haruka: ...Huh...

Naegi Makoto: He actually caught it!

Ciel Phantomhive: That was...impressive...

Katsuki Yuuri: That took some insane reaction speed.

Shouyou Hinata: Go for it Izuku!

Saiki Kusuo: I knew he would catch it. Looking at you Omnitheist27.

Suzui Ryōta: I wouldn't take a gamble like that.

Heine Wittgenstein: He has come a long way.

White Blood Cell / Neutrophil (U-1146): The medulla oblongata must be very active for him to do that.

Satō Mafuyu: ...

Hasegawa Langa: ... 

Killua Zoldyck: While impressive for someone like Izuku, I've seen greater reaction time.

Kamado Tanjirou: Yeah! Izuku-san!

Kuroko Tetsuya: ...

Okumura Rin: I've got to train harder if I want to do that.

Fujioka Haruhi: That really was close.

Emma: Go Izuku!

Serinuma Kae: I've got to read Observepeople again!

L: To possess the will needed to pull that off...

Shiota Nagisa: I'm not sure if I want to do that...

Legoshi: So humans are capable of such feats.

Suzuki Iruma: I wonder if learning to catch a bullet would come in handy for school?

Fujinuma Satoru: That...is something you don't see every day.

Feliciano Vargas (North Italy): I'm starting to get flashbacks of Japan wanting to cut bullets.

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Canon MHA cast reaction:

Midoriya Inko: (bawling) IZZUUUUUKKUUU!!!

All Might: (in English) Oh my...oh my...GOODNESS!!!

Bakugou Katsuki: Tch! I would've caught it as well!

Uraraka Ochako: You did it Deku-kun!

Iida Tenya: WHILE I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND SUCH ACTION, I WILL ADMIT MIDORIYA-SAN'S EFFORT!

Todoroki Shouto: Midoriya...

Asui Tsuyu: That was reckless Midoriya-san, but good job.

Mineta Minoru: HE'S INSANE!!! Although he was pretty cool.

Kirishima Eijiro: MANLY!!!

Shinso Hitoshi: Could I do that...

Togata Mirio: POWER!!!

Izumi Kota: Kick his ass Izuku!

Eri: D-D-Do your best Deku!

Shouta Aizawa: (to the rest of Class 1-A) If I catch any of you performing a stunt like that...

[omnitheist27]

The 40 - Commentary on Shark Meat

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@the-ravenclaw-werewolf, @purplemochi20055, and @hulkchloron99

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Hey everyone, no new fancomic for today, instead I'll be writing about The 40 giving their commentary by cooking and eating shark meat.

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Spike Spiegel: I've eaten seafood before, but shark meat does have its own different taste.

Levi Ackerman: Hmm…so this is what creatures in the ocean taste like...

Midoriya Izuku: I've eaten plenty of fish, but shark meat has a very different texture.

Zuko: This shark meat tastes quite well compared to the fish I've eaten.

Korra: This...is really good!

Saitama: Taste better than regular fish. I think I'll be diving into oceans to hunt as well.

Mob: Hmm...

Edward Elric: I never knew that shark meat tasted so good!

Ishigami Senku: Hmm...shark meat has been eaten in Peru for over 10,000 years.

Gojo: ...Tastey...

Hanako: It's so good that I have a physical body for this!

Souma: I got to say, the shark meat came out better than I expected!

Mako: *Nom Nom Nom!*

Kobayashi: Hmm~

Tohru: Hmm~

Chika: *Nom Nom Nom*

Haruka: Maybe I'll think of going shark hunting during the summer

Naegi Makoto: Shark Meat tastes so great!

Ciel Phantomhive: I've eaten plenty of delicacies, but shark meat is something new to me.

Katsuki Yuuri: It's good...but I'll still prefer Katsudon.

Shouyou Hinata: Hmm~

Saiki Kusuo: It's not bad...*though I wonder how many ideas are you running out Omnitheist27*

Suzui Ryōta: Hmm~

Heine Wittgenstein: I've never tried a delicacy such as this before!

White Blood Cell / Neutrophil (U-1146): The cells that make up these creatures must be quite different from humans.

Satō Mafuyu: …

Hasegawa Langa: …tasty

Killua Zoldyck: I'm sooooooo going fishing after this!

Kamado Tanjirou: With such texture and taste, I wouldn't mind creating a fishing commune back home.

Kuroko Tetsuya: ...

Okumura Rin: *Nom Nom* So good!

Fujioka Haruhi: Hmm~ The club could use something like this.

Emma: What is this taste and texture!

Serinuma Kae: I can't get enough of this!

L: Hmm…needs some sugar.

Shiota Nagisa: Hmm~

Legoshi: This meat...could it replace herbivore?

Suzuki Iruma: This tastes better than what I used to fish for.

Fujinuma Satoru: ...

Feliciano Vargas (North Italy): Germany and Japan would definitely love to eat this.

[seapasture]

maple and harvest for the autumn asks !!

Thank you for the ask, Miki!! ⭐

maple - is there a hobby / skill that you’ve always wanted to try but never did?

I've always been really interested in clay sculpture! I would love to be left to my own devices in a studio with a block of clay for a day - it has always struck me as a really expressive artform and I really admire the way sculptors are able to create such evocative forms with just their hands and some tools. It's almost like painting but with further dimensionality. I'd be really keen to try it some day - maybe I should buy some airdry clay and start small!

harvest - what fictional character do you most identify with? Why?

Whew, what a question! It's difficult to simply pick one because I identify with various characters for many reasons. Seeing as he's been on my mind a lot today, I will say Mafuyu Satō from given!

Mafuyu is one of my all-time favourite characters - he is very dear to me and makes me feel very seen. When I watched given for the first time, he immediately stood out to me as a character I saw myself in. He is a reserved individual with a flat-affect, but do not be deceived into thinking he is unemotional! Mafuyu cares very deeply, to the extent that he struggles to move on from his past and often finds himself consumed by memories in the aftermath of trauma. The series explores the way Mafuyu has bottled up these feelings, and how this brings him a great deal of pain; he eventually finds a medium to express himself through and it becomes a rich and essential outlet to him. Mafuyu is soft, gentle, but also quietly opinionated and keen to use his newfound voice as a platform to help others. All of this deeply resonated with me as a viewer, and I have held him in my heart ever since.

I also watched the series at a time where I was trying to better understand myself, and it meant a lot to see the depiction of a canonically queer character in an anime which didn't reduce him to a harmful stereotype. Mafuyu falls in love with other boys, and it is not depicted as something weird or, alternatively, wholly character-defining. It is an important part of his narrative, but it doesn't dominate it - he exists as a broadly dimensional character, and it meant a lot at that point in my life to see the way queerness was simply normalised in the series and through Mafuyu's character specifically.

One other thing that struck me about Mafuyu was how deeply autistic-coded he is. Along with all the traits I have listed, Mafuyu appears to struggle with social cues and his methods of interacting with other people are distinctly 'unusual'. He speaks in a quiet monotone and tends to stare people down, but at other times he averts his gaze entirely. He swings between being emotionally intense and distant, and has a tendency to be directly honest with his words. He also exhibits echolalia and as a child is shown to line-up objects and generally play alone as opposed to with his peers. Watching Mafuyu onscreen was so meaningful to me as an autistic person with trauma - it felt like nuances about myself were being conveyed to me in a way that felt realistic and encouraging, as opposed to being alienating stereotypes. When I watched given in 2019, I found this article which explores Mafuyu's autistic traits a bit further - if you're curious, I highly recommend giving it a read. I haven't read the manga yet and (as far as I am aware!) he is not canonically autistic, but I feel like it is such a palpable undercurrent to his character that (in my opinion) it is difficult to interpret him as neurotypical.

Apologies for the ramble! Mafuyu is very beloved to me and I identify with him a lot! I will also give an honourable mention to Ugetsu, who is another deeply relatable character to me from given, but I will spare everyone another ramble!

autumnal asks

[hellcatinnc]

Given Anime Review

Spoilers Included (Suicide Mentions)

What can I say about this anime it touched me more than I thought it would. I started watching it cause it was a recommendation because liked Sasaki to Miyano however I will say upfront these two are nothing alike. Sasaki to Miyano was light hearted and sweet a true guilty pleasure for me, Given is a sad but sweet anime that will pull at every heart string. It pulled me in on the first episode I wanted to see where the relationship with Ritsuka Uenoyama & Mafuyu Satō. I had no idea what I was getting into as each episode passed I felt such a connection to Mafuyu yet also a detachment all at the same time. I know its weird but I saw grief in him so early on there was this dark cloud over him and I longed to know what made such a beautiful boy so sad. I watched Uenoyama fall in love with him with each episode even when he didn't see it himself. The other band mates were such a sweet connection as well but nothing on these two, they were the center and heart of this anime.

Honestly my heart was not prepared where this anime took me. The more you find out that Mafuya is dealing with a loss of what first seems like a friend before you realize it was someone he was in love with. You don't see much of his past until later in the anime the first parts are honestly about seeing him learn to play the guitar thanks to Uenoyama. Now this was a sight to see at first this shy, aloof kid asking a tsundereish type guitarist to stop and help him when he didn't know how to fix his strings, tune it up, or even play the guitar. I thought it was a nice touch because at first you don't even understand why this kid is walking around with a guitar he doesn't know how to play. This is where later in his story explains it all. You get the idea maybe middle way that he lost someone dear to him that he was in love with. Being its a BL you know it was a guy too, however you don't know more than the person died.

This is where it gets really sad. You find that him and Yuki which were total opposites of each other were together. You also go on to find out their connection to each others was as kids. Yuki found Mafuya because his dad beat him all the time. Their bond as latch key kids made a big difference as well with the other 2 friends they have never understanding them truly. They grew up being total opposites of each other but they loved each other. They eventually grew together til one day Yuki kissed him. They were good together and you hear through the episodes this humming song Yuki would hum which later became the only sound that Mafuya could think of and later what he put lyrics to so he could sing a song. The sad parts is you find out they have a huge falling out and the Yuki goes home drinks himself into a point where he kills himself, and Mafuya finds him. This kind of grief is one of the hardest this is where I understand him so much and I could feel his pain.

The whole anime is leading up to Mafuya writing down his feelings to that sound that he kept in his head because of Yuki. He kept Yuki's guitar and that was all he had left. They never reconciled which was the saddest part. The one you thought that might have killed himself was the opposite, the outgoing kid everyone loved he felt he was nothing without Mafuya. Sad parts about suicide it consumes you that type of depression. From the outside it would look obvious why wouldn't Yuki try again later at reconnecting however the grief he lost the only person who understood him was too much. It was hard to watch in some points being I have been struck with grief this year so its where I understood Mafuya so much, and to feel numb yet at the same time all this pain all at once with no way to really understand or express to someone else. I liked by the end of the season you see him step up to the mic and put lyrics to that sound that he carried in his heart. His words struck a cord in me and I was in tears by the end of it.

I feel like he needed that though expressing how he was feeling, hurting it was his way of saying goodbye even if it hurts, it was his acceptance that he would never be with Yuki again. The worst part is from Mafuya's side I think he felt responsible for Yuki's death and I think thats part of that grief he was carrying. After the show Uenoyama surprised me by walking him off the stage cause he could see how he was feeling but it was sweet. While Mafuya was trying to thank him he just leaned in kissed him soon after he walked away but I think Mafuya needed that he needed to know that he felt for him how he felt as well. Like I can't picture him ever making the first move I mean even Yuki made the first move on him.

These are the other 2 guys in some kind of love triangle doesn't go full in depth but they are all cute side characters. It was still nice having them in the mix though and damn the guy Ugetsu Murata yum he was a hottie. However I scan over it looks like this is all in the manga but since the anime focuses mostly on Mafuya its left out.

Overall I can't imagine most not liking this as long as your ok with BL and suicide is something you can deal with. Now let me correct this they never show anyone dead or anything when you find out about Yuki its kind of a flashback bit all you see is his guitar on the floor and a bunch of stuff on the floor and they talk about how Mafuya found him which I think is what messed him up even more. Now not gonna lie from the little I have read about the manga it does give you more details like in the anime you know Yuki kills himself but you don't know its by hanging himself, you wouldn't know Akihiko and Haruki the other band mates will eventually date, you wouldn't even know the name "Given" was name for Mafuya cause of the guitar given to him from Yuki's mom. Most everything else is in the anime I just wanted to add that so people understand because I do think they should have been added. Anyways I hope you check it out its a really good anime.

[translationandbetrayals]

Given: the power of music.

Given it’s a manga written and illustrated by Natsuki Kizu in 2013. The story of this comic is about 2 boys, Mafuyu Satō and Ritsuka Uenoyama, that fall in love between music. To not give spoilers (if you haven’t watch this incredible anime) I want to focus only on the important part of this drama, and it’s the music and the magic that it brings to the show. The music is the soul of given, it’s what projects the feelings in all their splendor. You can tell when the characters feel happiness, anger, discouragement, and especially, sadness and desolation.

All members of given have a sad and kinda dark past that links them to musical instruments, fact that I believe, is the best plots of what given is, all of them begin to relate in a more intimate way with sounds and chords (if it’s possible) and start to make their own stories with tears and powerful meanings.

I honestly believe that if given wouldn’t had the connection with such good melodies, it wouldn't be so good as it is. The fans of the show frequently listen to the Ep’s that are on different streaming platforms, keeping alive the beauty of a group of friends that make their best to be one of the greatest bands of japan, songs that I also, will keep on the deepest of my heart forever.

Thank you Natsuki Kizu for showing us what a simple combination of chords can do to our bodies, mind and soul. Completely recommended.

María José Acevedo Seignourel.

[foundfamilyhq]

Mafuyu Satō has been adopted into the tumblr found family

[girlnotmadeforthisworld]

I mean, does it really exist such a pure and powerful love in real life?

[clavierao]

夜が明ける

[supererick911]

The Kiss😘