Photo from Given Code 2. Akihiko touching Haruki's hair and asking Haruki aren't his bangs getting in the way.
Photo from Given 10th Mix_2. Akihiko commenting how Haruki's bangs have grown.
Given Code 2: Akihiko talking about Haruki's long bangs 🌸
Given 10th Mix_2: Akihiko talking about Haruki's long bangs 🌸
#ainoreadsgiven
That little heart when Haruki welcomes them? And those little flower effects, I love them so much 😭 Especially when they are shown around Haruki. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Smiling Haruki holding Mafuyu's hands and as he welcomes shocked Uenoyama and Akihiko into the studio.
Haruki is SO CUTE 😭 I wanna imagine that's what Akihiko is thinking too with that expression hahaha. I feel like it was probably good for Mafuyu that he ran into sweet Haruki first and not into the other two 😅 #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Akihiko crouching in front of Uenoyama telling him he's been making a weird face lately.
Started learning Japanese 'cos it was cool, but I stuck with it for the puns 😆 When I was doing Nani Tabeta translation I had to deal with a couple of puns and man, hats off to translators! Here Akihiko says that Uesama he knows usually has more uesama(=emperor)-like expression. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Uenoyama's sister Yayoi sprawled on the sofa in homewear.
As one of three siblings, I love when we see realistic sibling relationships in media! Yayoi and Ritsuka are a great example of realistic siblings. This panel makes me think of the little omake comic where Uenoyama is sent to buy pads for Yayoi. It's one of my favourites. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Uenoyama pulls Mafuyu to safety from traffic.
Mafuyu asking Uenoyama to play something cool, Uenoyama then going all in to show off his band, then walking Mafuyu to the station, and then there was this whole episode of him pulling Mafuyu into safety from traffic... Hard to believe he isn't trying to woo Mafuyu from the start 😅 #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Surprised Akihiko watches Haruki play the bass.
This is a subtle touch in Given, but every time we are shown Haruki playing bass, and it's from Akihiko's POV, there's so much focus on Haruki and his face, often showing details like how his hair moves and exposes his neck. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Akihiko and Haruki taken back by Uenoyama's enthusiastic guitar and think they can't be left behind.
I promise I am able to focus on other things than Akiharu too, but this chapter is so focused on them. I love the side eye they share and again, how synced they are with their thoughts. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Haruki and Akihiko talking about what type of music they would play.
Also this might be the first time I'm paying attention to what Haruki is wearing... But what's with that neckline?? That tease-y button up top that ends soooo low, just to reveal a bit of t-shirt underneath? Yo? How can he look so slutty while still being fully covered hahaha. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Different expressions.
Kizu-sensei's banging expressions. I love how expressive Given can be and how effortlessly Kizu-sensei blends the more serious art with the more comical expressions. I find this so inspiring and it makes me want to get better at drawing fun expressions ❤️. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from Given Code 2. Akihiko and Haruki want to show off to Mafuyu who has come to watch their band practice.
This whole chapter is such an Akiharu chapter... I love how cute they are with the synced reactions and how they wanna show off to Mafuyu. That adorable finger touch??? #ainoreadsgiven
I got into Given through the anime series, but I swear if I had seen this artwork I would have shipped Akiharu from this page onwards (but I started shipping them early on with the anime too, hehe). They are so hot here. The way Haruki intensively stares at Akihiko?! Leaves me weak 😩 #ainoreadsgiven
I didn't forget about this! I just haven't had the time to type anything up, but now it's time to carry on #ainoreadsgiven. Code 2, let's gooo. The chapter starts with an absolute banger artwork of Akihiko and Haruki ❤️ #Given
I'm gonna be honest, the first chapter... it's not slow as such, but not the most attention grabbing stuff either. A pretty standard let's- introduce-everyone chapter with a little bit of mystery around Mafuyu. Anyway, I'm gonna carry on with the ch 2 another day! #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
Photo from the Given chapter 1
And Haruki 💕 Pretty as ever. I like how Akihiko has his eyes on Haruki even though they are both being puzzled by Mafuyu's appearance in this scene. Can't blame him 🤭 And that wraps up the first chapter~ #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
Akihiko!!! He has no doubt gone through the most drastic design changes through the series out of all the characters. But I love this original, grumpy gremlin Akihiko too ❤️ I love how formally Uenoyama speaks to Akihiko. It's totally different to how he speaks to anyone else. #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
Mafuyu being like "what's a band" 😭 I'm with Uenoyama here, what a weirdo?? He obviously should know what a band is... in general and because Yuki was in one? #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
Mafuyu's famous O_O expression!! I love it. My favourite thing about Mafuyu, his wacky expressions. I also love how Uenoyama is like "No, I don't need your money" but then thinks to himself that he really wants the money. Relatable. #ainoreadsgiven
This is really why I need to just read more in Japanese. It's such a great way to learn new words or expressions. But I always put it off 'cos it obviously requires more effort than reading in English 😅 #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
This re-read actually reminded me of when I first read Given! I had never seen the word のめり込む before! But in this rare occasion, because of the context, it was so easy to understand what the word meant without looking it up (to be absorbed - Uenoyama got absorbed in music). #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
I really adore the paneling in Given. For example this scene. It's such a fun and simple way to demonstrate how Uenoyama's resolution to not change Mafuyu's guitar strings is withering down lol. Kizu-sensei has always been so good at this, I think! #ainoreadsgiven
Photo from the Given chapter 1
The front view of the characters' faces have changed so much! #ainoreadsgiven
Photo of Given manga vol 4
I mean it's immediately clear how much sensei's style and the characters have evolved. All of them have quite long and similarly structured faces in the first cover, whereas already by the vol 4, there's more variety. I do like how pissed off Uenoyama looks in the vol 1 cover art! #ainoreadsgiven
Photo of Given manga vol 1
I'll be re-reading Given and post about it! I'll tag these #ainoreadsgiven so feel free to mute if you want.
First things first. The cover. I've only got Given in Japanese... Actually are the English covers different? I think they might be? I might have to get them at some point.
