Episode 1

**Episode 1**「Boys in the band」is the 1st episode of the **Given** anime.

## Synopsis

Ritsuka Uenoyama meets Mafuyu Sato one day in his normal napping spot. Ritsuka ends up fixing Mafuyu’s guitar, which leads to Mafuyu pestering Ritsuka to teach him guitar over and over. Ritsuka declines over and over but somehow, after seeing how passionate Mafuyu is about learning guitar, Ritsuka starts to remember how he felt when he first started playing music.

## Characters

* Mafuyu Sato
* Ritsuka Uenoyama
* Akihiko Kaji
* Haruki Nakayama
* Yuki Yoshida (Brief glimpse)
* Shogo Itaya
* Ryuu Ueki
* Yayoi Uenoyama

## Promotional Images

Ritsuka looks to MafuyuMafuyu hearing Ritsuka play his guitarSitting alone with his electric guitarMafuyu seizes Ritsuba, he wants him to teach him guitarRitsuka's room, guitar and equipment beside his bedRitsuka walking to schoolHaruki playing bassKaji on the drumsAnnouncement image10 minutes until Episode 1Boys in the Band preview image
## Summary

Mafuyu enters his room and takes out his phone and instrument. He walks out of his room, where he encounters Kedama, and swiftly pets him on the head before closing the door. When he walks to school, Mafuyu notices that he is experiencing the same dream over and over again. He recalls a brief memory to someone who was quite inebriated. Mafuyu grips the guitar between his arms, terrified, and places his fingertips on the guitar strings before they snap.

Meanwhile, in school, Ritsuka sleeps with his head on a desk and his arms folded. Shogo wakes Ritsuka up and asks if they want to go grocery shopping. Ritsuka reluctantly refuses the offer. Shogo then invites them to play basketball. Ritsuka stands up from her desk and decides to snooze instead. Ritsuka walks across the campus and into the basketball gym, where he opens a door from within.

Ritsuka goes up the stairs only to discover that his sleeping area has been taken by someone else. The pupil gradually awakens and sits up upright, both of them staring at each other. The student approaches Ritsuka and invites her to sit with him. Ritsuka sits a few feet distant from the student, who inquires as to his identity. Ritsuka introduces himself to the pupil. Ritsuka begs the student to say anything since his behavior is strange, and he notices that the guitar strings are broken.

The student gradually approaches Ritsuka, who is surprised by the abrupt approach. The student approaches Ritsuka and asks whether the guitar can be repaired, as Ritsuka slowly backs away. Ritsuka tells the pupil that he probably can't fix it right now since he doesn't have the tools.

With the instrument being repaired, the dejected pupil begins to lose hope. This prompts Ritsuka to fetch his tools and hastily repair the guitar strings. The Student praises him for his efforts, while Ritsuka advises him to be happier and pay him. Before Ritsuka urges him to wait, the learner carefully tries to pluck a string.

     With the pupil watching, Ritsuka begins tuning the melodies on the guitar and stringing it properly with his hands. Inspired by the music, the pupil requests that Ritsuka teach him how to play.

Ritsuka is fast sleeping in bed when a pair of boxers is thrown in his face. Ritsuka's older sister inquires whether he is in a band today. Ritsuka informs her that he does not want to drag her relationship issues into the band. Before his sister smashes a bottle at his head, Ritsuka makes a note of Kaji-san dumping her.

Ritsuka explains himself and his interest in guitar. Ritsuka's father gave him a guitar while he was in sixth grade, and he gradually improved over the years. Ritsuka recalls the pupil he assisted the day before, and how he almost sobbed when he first broke a string.

The student falls asleep on the staircase while sitting up and trying not to fall. Ritsuka is irritated by the fact that he keeps seeing the same pupil. Ritsuka walks up the stairs and gently strokes the student's hair to wake him up. The student gradually awakens and sees Ritsuka, who smiles at him. Ritsuka is taken aback by the response. The student expresses gratitude to Ritsuka for repairing the guitar and presents him 1,000 Yen. The pupil then begs Ritsuka to teach him how to play the guitar while holding a bright dollar. Ritsuka refuses the student's money, although the student does give him bread.

Ritsuka informs the student that he has never taught anybody how to play the guitar and advises him to search up how to play or join a light music group to establish a band. The pupil inquires as to what a "band" is. Ritsuka inquires as to what is wrong with him and that he carries a guitar around without knowing anything. The pupil is disappointed. Ritsuka apologizes and lies down on the stairwell. The pupil wonders if he's genuine and softly shakes him, wanting to inquire anything. When he turns away, Ritsuka asks him what he wants. The pupil approaches him and requests that he teach him how to play the guitar.

Ritsuka slowly exits class and examines both ways before leaving. Ritsuka returns home and notices that the student is following him. Ritsuka motions for him to halt and keeps walking. Ritsuka keeps walking and comes to a halt as he notices the student still following him. Ritsuka tells him that he may ask someone else to teach him how to play the guitar and returns to the pupil hiding behind a tree. Ritsuka continues walking and turns around swiftly to find the student cowering behind a pole. Ritsuka becomes anxious when the pupil repeats Ritsuka's name.

Ritsuka takes the pupil to the studio, where they meet Akihiko. Akihiko asks Ritsuka who he is, and Ritsuka responds that he feels like he picked up a stray puppy. Ritsuka admits that he attempted to lose him but couldn't. Ritsuka advises the student that he should respect Kaji since, despite his intimidating appearance, he is actually rather lovely. Haruki enters the studio and inquiries about the pupil. Ritsuka informs the student that Haruki is the band's bassist. Ritsuka advises the pupil to make an introduction. The student steps up and introduces himself as Mafuyu Sato to Ritsuka, Akihiko, and Haruki. Mafuyu informs them that he has come to observe them play. Akihiko and Haruki are overjoyed to hear this and promise to put on a performance for him. Ritsuka inquires whether they are certain, to which Akihiko responds, "Why not?" Ritsuka explains that Mafuyu is a newcomer who doesn't comprehend. Mafuyu gets disoriented.

Mafuyu sits back and watches as Ritsuka, Akihiko, and Haruki prepare to perform. Ritsuka inquires of Mafuyu about the type of guitar he wishes to hear. Mafuyu tells Ritsuka something interesting. Ritsuka begins by strumming his guitar, followed by Akihiko and Haruki a few seconds after. Ritsuka, Akihiko, and Haruki are having so much fun performing that they give it their all.

Ritsuka and Mafuyu stroll home together late at night. Ritsuka asks Mafuyu a question, but he does not respond. Mafuyu drifts off and looks at Ritsuka. Ritsuka says no when Mafuyu asks if he may come back. Mafuyu instructs Ritsuka to teach him to play the guitar. Ritsuka warns him to stop and says he's never taught anyone anything. Mafuyu wants him to educate him again, but Ritsuka tells him to stop. Ritsuka takes Mafuyu's arm and drags him over to him. Ritsuka instructs him to keep an eye behind him. Mafuyu informs Ritsuka that he is unable to see behind him. Ritsuka invites him to check out the light music club once again, explaining that he's not trying to be nasty, but rather doing it for his own benefit.

Yayoi, Ritsuka's sister, is waiting for him at home and instructs him to prepare the pizza. Ritsuka inquires of his sister as to what he was doing when he first began playing the guitar. His sister says he started strumming on the guitar. Ritsuka informs her that asking her was a poor idea. Ritsuka recalls forgetting while monitoring the pizza microwave. Ritsuka recalls Mafuyu's eyes and wonders if they used to be like that.

Ritsuka starts playing basketball in school. Ritsuka attempts a basketball throw but misses and falls on his backside. Ritsuka thinks to himself that it bothers him and that he hasn't been to the same location since yesterday. Ritsuka exits the basketball court and requests that a student called Hosokai switch with him. Ritsuka sits against a wall, wondering whether Mafuyu is waiting for him.

Ritsuka returns to the same location and realizes that Mafuyu isn't theirs. Ritsuka peers up and behind the stairwell. Ritsuka wonders why it bothers him so much and whether he has given up. Ritsuka waits on the stairwell for a few days, perplexed.

Ritsuka is left stunned, looking at some food in a supermarket aisle, mouth agape. Akihiko approaches him and hits him on the head, wondering whether anybody is home. Akihiko informs him that he has been making that strange look for a few days. Ritsuka informs him that this is how he always seems. Akihiko is skeptical and informs him that the Ritsuka he knows has a far more regal appearance.

Ritsuka and Akihiko change their clothing. Akihiko tells Ritsuka that it may be fantastic incentive for him and tells him about his experience with fire. Ritsuka wonders if it was really visible on his face.

When Ritsuka and Akihiko enter the studio, Haruki is shaking Mafuyu's hand. Ritsuka and Akihiko are taken aback to meet Mafuyu again. Mafuyu returns her gaze to Ritsuka, who is still shocked to see Mafuyu. Ritsuka is perplexed and inquires of Mafuyu as to his purpose for being here. Haruki informs Ritsuka that Mafuyu has accomplished something extraordinary.

Mafuyu informs Ritsuka that he can change the guitar strings by himself and string the instrument with his hand. The sound of the guitar has Ritsuka enthralled. Mafuyu inquires of Ritsuka about the proper tuning of the guitar. Ritsuka examines Mafuyu's fingertips and inquires if he visited the light music club. Mafuyu tells Ritsuka that he went and saw a lot of interesting people and instruments, but he believes Ritsuka is cooler. While Ritsuka, Akihiko, and Haruki are stunned, little explosives are set off nearby. Ritsuka agrees to teach Mafuyu more about the guitar.

## Trivia

* The title of the episode, "Boys In The Band" is based on the song "Boys In The Band" by The Libertines.

## After credits scene

The first animated scenes for Episode **#02 Like Someone In Love** is shown as Mafuyu sits atop the stairs, he visualizes Kaji, Haruki, and Ritsuka as he holds a work catalog, Ritsuka is seen reacting to Mafuyu sing.