Given — Staff Commentary on Upcoming BL Movie

As movie theaters start opening-up across Japan, films that had been delayed are getting new release dates — with the hopes that the recent spike of COVID-19 cases doesn’t cause further delays. After the release of Twittering Birds Never Fly, Blue Lynx was scheduled to release their second Boy’s Love (BL) film this May, but it was indefinitely delayed. Now, Given has been announced for release this summer, on August 22nd. Picking up from where the 2019 anime left off, the film will focus on Haruki’s repressed feelings for Akihiko, as well as unresolved tension from Akihiko’s past relationship with his current roommate, Ugetsu. Alongside the announcement, the original manga author and crew released a press commentary on the film’s website, translated below, as well as a new trailer.

Could you tell us about your experience making the movie?

Kizu Natsuki (Original Manga Author): “When we decided to move forward with a movie I was surprised. I majored in film studies in college, so it is a great honor to have my work become a movie.”

Yamaguchi Hikaru (Director): “Since the story of the movie was already written before the project was decided, I felt it was immediately time to continue after I saw the final episode of the TV series. I saw the final episode on TV, and the announcement after the ending that the anime was completed. The story arc about the high-school students had been shown on TV, but the college-aged characters were meant to follow right after in another show. I had the spirit to not waste any time with what we had already started.”

Yukino Ayana (Script Writer): “This move will depict the relationship between Haruki, Akihiko, and Ugetsu. Haruki and Akihiko take a step forward and begin communicating better, but they are still adults who don’t talk about their true feelings. The TV series was a series of short stories, so for the movie we had to try a different approach. Because it’s a movie, we have different creative freedoms with certain scenes.”

Michiru (Score): “I am very pleased to see Given on the big screen.”

Centimeillimental (Theme Music): “In the TV series, I felt that the theme was ‘the people who are no longer.’ In the movie, the theme is about the ‘people who are here.’ I hope that the music can add a softness to the heartfelt tone and the feel of the film.”

Were there any differences between producing Given as a movie versus an anime?

Hikaru Yamaguchi: “For the TV series, I directed about 2.5 animated episodes and the series was 11 episodes long, each about 20 minutes. This time the biggest challenge was how well I could fit almost the same amount of content of roughly 5 episodes into a 60-minute film. After that, I had to remember we’re doing a project meant for a screen bigger than a TV, so I was always thinking about how to present this ‘as a movie’ in terms of appearance. The sound quality is also different from that of TV, so I hope you’re able to enjoy a new experience in the theaters.”

Ayana Yuniko: “The TV series had a long script, and the movie script was very condensed. It’s still the same process adapting Kizu-sensei’s manga without sacrificing the feeling. However, it was difficult to handle a large number of episodes for a given length. I worked alongside Kizu-sensei and proceeded accordingly.”

Centimeillimental and Michiru will be in charge of the music, the same as in the anime. What kind of music did you want to deliver this time in the film?

Michiru: “We have been working with the hope that we can deliver songs that support the character’s conflicts and everyday life with music, add color, and excite the story.”

Centimeillimental: “Like last time, I cherished this project. Instead of seeing it as just another anime, I interpreted this work as if the characters were real people. Just like us, every day they felt love, joy, sadness, and pain. I hope that the songs will be interpreted as a living person and that all the people involved in this work can share and sympathize with the characters, staff, performers, and everyone who sees it.”

Please give a message to all the fans who are watching.

Natsuki Kizu: “With the situation in the world, I want to still see Given released. I’m grateful that there are people who look forward to seeing it, despite everything that is happening. It’s a tremendous act. Thank you.”

Hikaru Yamaguchi: “Thank you for your patience. I wrote the script so that people who’ve read the manga and those who only watched the anime can enjoy it equally, and that it will easily satisfy those who watch it. The songs this time are all especially wonderful. Please enjoy the movie.”

Ayana Yukino: “Fans will be able to watch the movie, even though the planned stage play was canceled. We’re grateful we finished the anime when we did, since many things like the stage play were canceled. Thankfully, not the movie! Please take note of its inseparable, indivisible, hesitant, and worried tone.”

Michiru: “The movie Given was postponed once after the declaration of the emergency, but it is finally available in the theater. By all means, I hope you can enjoy the soundtrack with the theater’s surround sound.”

Centimeillimental: “There was no way to predict a global threat like coronavirus. Sadly, the release of this movie was behind schedule. Even after you’ve finished watching the movie and left the theater, I’m sure there’s still a lot of terrible things happening in everyone’s lives. There may be nights when you can’t sleep because of anxiety. However, the message of Given is being able to overcome anything. It’s going to be okay. Even if you can’t sleep, the dawn will still come.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrTm4d6Q_o