Given OVA and Live-Action Drama Announced

Big news for fans of the popular boy’s love (BL) manga, Given. It’s a quiet past couple of months ever since the movie was released on blu-ray, but now we’re finally getting the continuation and a few extra surprises with it. Volume seven of the manga is set for release in Japan this December, but coming with it will be a special limited edition bundle with a new OVA!

As I said in our review of the movie, the film cut a few scenes that took place on the side of the main plot that occurred between Akihiko and Haruki. The subplot not included in the film was a lover’s spat between Uenoyama and Ritsuka, which wouldn’t be solved by the end of the events of the film. The film’s ending felt unfinished. As detailed on the Given official website, the OVA is going to tell of these events featuring Uenoyama and Ritsuka. The new OVA titled Given: Uragawa no Sonzai (Given: The One on the Flip-Side), is set for release on December 1st.

But wait! THERE’S MORE!

In addition to the new OVA, the website also announced the series is being produced into a live-action TV drama, also called Given. It will start over from the beginning of the story. The first episode is scheduled to broadcast in Japan on July 17th.

given live action promo shot — Promo image on set with Ritsuka and Mafuyu

Staff announcements for Given have been made over the past month, including:

Jin Suzuki as Uenoyama Ritsuka
Sanari as Mafuyu Sato
Kai Inowaki as Akihiko Kaji
Shuntaro Yanagi as Haruki Nakayama

Arisa Yagi as Yayoi Uenoyama
So Okuno as Kashima Hiiragi
Akira Onodera as Yuki Yoshida
Inaba Tomo as Ugetsu Murada

Given, the manga, started in 2013, illustrated by Kizu Natsuki. Since then it has grown to be one of the most recognized boy’s love series in the world with an 11-episode TV anime and a movie sequel. The story follows a group of four musicians when they join together to form a rock band. During their time together, the four characters realize they are in love with one of their corresponding bandmates and work through their feelings with music to understand their emotions as well as let go of past trauma weighing them down.