Given (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The story follows music, painful romantic entanglements, and the possibility of moving forward after change.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Genius in the Audience

Akihiko watches Ugetsu perform and recalls how their meeting damaged his confidence. Meanwhile, Given learns that it has advanced to the contest's final screening.

Key Events

• Akihiko Watches Ugetsu Perform — Akihiko watches Ugetsu perform and recalls meeting a musical genius who shook his confidence. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata Location: Violin concert
• Akihiko's Resentment — Akihiko recalls resenting Ugetsu, though music remains deeply important to him. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata Location: Violin concert
• The Band Advances — Given learns it has passed the contest's second round and reached the final screening. Characters: Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji Location: Band rehearsal setting
• Haruki Writes Lyrics — Haruki works on lyrics as the band prepares for its upcoming performance. Characters: Haruki Nakayama Location: Unspecified writing setting

A Home That Cannot Hold

Akihiko reveals the instability of his living situation and how he hid its severity from Haruki. After Akihiko's involvement with someone else is exposed, Haruki tells him to leave and withdraws his help as bassist.

Key Events

• Akihiko's Unstable Living Situation — Akihiko explains that he has stayed with Ugetsu and sought other places to live after his parents separated. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata, Haruki Nakayama Location: Ugetsu's residence
• Akihiko Hides His Hardship — Akihiko admits he concealed how desperate his living situation had become from Haruki. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Haruki Nakayama Location: Unspecified
• Haruki Tells Akihiko to Leave — After Akihiko's involvement with someone else comes to light, Haruki tells him to leave. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Haruki Nakayama Location: Unspecified residence
• Haruki Withdraws from Bass Duties — Haruki says he will no longer fill in as the band's bassist, leaving Akihiko without a place to stay. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Haruki Nakayama Location: Unspecified
• Haruki Waits for Akihiko — Haruki cuts his hair and waits for Akihiko to return. Characters: Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji Location: Unspecified

A Song for What Changes

Haruki prepares lyrics about uncertainty, longing, and carrying on after painful change. Given reaches the final screening and performs.

Key Events

• Given Reaches the Final Screening — The band arrives at the final screening of the amateur contest. Characters: Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji Location: Contest screening venue
• Haruki's Song of Change — Haruki's song expresses uncertainty, longing, and hope that life can continue after painful change. Characters: Haruki Nakayama Location: Contest screening venue
• The Band Performs — Given performs at the final screening before Akihiko rushes to find Ugetsu. Characters: Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji Location: Contest screening venue

The Farewell and Its Aftermath

Akihiko finds Ugetsu, apologizes, and ends their relationship while affirming that his devotion to the violin was real. Ugetsu accepts the goodbye, and the band fails at the final stage despite the significance of its performance.

Key Events

• Akihiko Ends Things with Ugetsu — Akihiko says goodbye, acknowledges his genuine devotion to the violin, and apologizes for hurting Ugetsu. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata Location: Unspecified
• Ugetsu Accepts the Goodbye — Ugetsu accepts the farewell and wishes Akihiko well; Akihiko confirms he has somewhere to stay. Characters: Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata Location: Unspecified
• The Contest Ends in Failure — Given does not pass the final stage, but its performance and Akihiko's farewell mark a turning point. Characters: Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji Location: Contest screening venue

Story Breakdown

• Akihiko Remembers Ugetsu — A concert revives Akihiko's conflicted memories of Ugetsu and music.
  • Violin Concert — Akihiko watches Ugetsu perform.
  • Shaken Confidence — Akihiko recalls resenting the genius he encountered.
• Given Advances — The band learns it has reached the final screening and prepares to perform.
  • Contest News — Given discovers it passed the second round.
  • Performance Preparation — Haruki works on lyrics as the band gets ready.
• Akihiko's Unstable Home — Akihiko describes the circumstances behind his dependence on other people's homes.
  • Staying with Ugetsu — Akihiko has been living with Ugetsu.
  • Hidden Hardship — He admits he concealed his desperate situation from Haruki.
• Haruki Sets a Boundary — Akihiko's involvement with someone else damages his relationship with Haruki.
  • Asked to Leave — Haruki tells Akihiko to leave.
  • Bass Support Ends — Haruki says he will no longer fill in as bassist.
• A Song of Change — Haruki's lyrics express pain while allowing for hope beyond it.
  • Uncertainty and Longing — The song expresses unresolved feelings.
  • Hope to Continue — Its words suggest life can go on after painful change.
• The Final Screening — Given performs at the contest's final stage.
  • Band Performance — The band presents its song at the screening.
  • Contest Failure — Given does not pass the final stage.
• Akihiko Says Goodbye — After the performance, Akihiko confronts the end of his relationship with Ugetsu.
  • Apology to Ugetsu — Akihiko acknowledges the hurt he caused.
  • A Difficult Farewell — Ugetsu accepts the goodbye and wishes him well.
• A Turning Point — The performance and farewell signal a change even though the band loses.
  • A Place to Stay — Akihiko tells Ugetsu that he has somewhere to go.
  • Moving Forward — The band experience becomes significant beyond its contest result.

Directed by

Hikaru Yamaguchi

Key Cast

• Takuya Eguchi — Akihiko Kaji (voice)
• Masatomo Nakazawa — Haruki Nakayama (voice)
• Shogo Yano — Mafuyu Satou (voice)
• Yuma Uchida — Ritsuka Uenoyama (voice)
• Shintaro Asanuma — Ugetsu Murata (voice)