Given Manga Reading Order: All 9 Volumes Guide

Given Manga Reading Order: The Complete List

Here’s the full reading order for Given. It’s straightforward — publication order is the intended reading order.

Order	Volume	Notes
1	Given, Vol. 1	Series begins — introduces the core cast and the band
2	Given, Vol. 2	Uenoyama and Mafuyu’s relationship develops
3	Given, Vol. 3	Emotional turning point for Uenoyama and Mafuyu
4	Given, Vol. 4	Haruki and Akihiko’s storyline begins to take shape
5	Given, Vol. 5	Both storylines deepen in parallel
6	Given, Vol. 6	Haruki and Akihiko’s storyline moves to the foreground
7	Given, Vol. 7	Major developments for Haruki and Akihiko
8	Given, Vol. 8	Story heads toward resolution
9	Given, Vol. 9	Final volume — series conclusion

That’s it. Volume 1 through Volume 9, in order. A single-volume sequel spinoff (Given 10th Mix) has been licensed in English by SuBLime (due November 2026). Once released, English readers may wish to add it as volume 10 after completing the main 9-volume run, but it is a separate spinoff story set 10 years later and is not required for the core reading experience.

Given also has anime adaptations — an 11-episode TV series (2019) and two theatrical films released in January 2024 and September 2024. These adapt portions of the manga, but they aren’t separate stories. They cover material from the same 9-volume run, so you don’t need to treat them as separate entries in a reading order. Think of them as another way to experience the same story.

The bottom line: Read Volumes 1 through 9 in publication order. The anime complements the manga but isn’t required reading, and it doesn’t change the sequence.

Why Reading Order Matters for Given

You might be thinking: if it’s just 9 volumes in a straight line, why does reading order even matter? Fair question. The answer is in how Kizu Natsuki structures the story.

Two Romance Storylines, One Story

Given follows four members of a band, and the series develops two central romance storylines that run in parallel. (A “storyline” here just means one thread of the larger narrative — a particular relationship and the events surrounding it.) The first storyline — between guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and vocalist Mafuyu Satou — anchors the early volumes. It’s the relationship that draws most readers in, and it reaches its emotional peak in the first half of the series.

The second storyline involves bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji. This one builds much more gradually. It’s there in the background from early on, but it doesn’t take center stage until the later volumes. By the end of the series, this second storyline carries just as much emotional weight as the first — but only if you’ve watched it develop piece by piece across the full run.

Out-of-Order Reading Breaks the Payoff

If you jump ahead to later volumes or skip the “slower” middle stretch, you’ll spoil key revelations and undercut the gradual romantic tension that makes Given’s later emotional beats land. Kizu Natsuki layers information carefully — a small background detail in Volume 2 becomes a devastating callback in Volume 7. That kind of storytelling rewards patience and punishes skipping.

The Anime Overlap Question

The other reason reading order matters is the anime. If you watched the TV series and want to continue in the manga, you need to know where the adaptation leaves off so you don’t accidentally re-read material you’ve already seen — or worse, skip past material the anime didn’t cover. More on that in the next section.

Manga vs. Anime — Where to Start

Given has a well-regarded anime adaptation, so a lot of readers arrive at the manga having already watched some or all of it. Here’s how to think about your starting point.

Option A: Manga-First

Start with Volume 1 and read straight through to Volume 9. This is the most complete way to experience Given. Kizu Natsuki’s art carries a lot of emotional nuance — facial expressions, the way images are arranged on the page, and visual storytelling choices do heavy lifting that even a good adaptation can’t fully replicate. You’ll also get the entire story at your own pace, without needing to figure out where any adaptation starts or stops.

This is the approach that works best if you haven’t watched any of the anime yet, or if you prefer reading to watching.

Option B: Anime-First, Then Manga

If you’ve already watched the 11-episode TV series, you’ve covered roughly the first few volumes of the manga — the show adapts the opening stretch of the story, focusing primarily on Uenoyama and Mafuyu’s relationship. The TV anime is generally a faithful adaptation, meaning it follows the manga’s story closely without major changes, so you won’t be lost picking up where the show leaves off.

A common recommendation is to start from Volume 1 anyway, even if you’ve seen the anime. The manga includes characters’ internal thoughts, small character details, and subtle moments that the anime condensed or left out. But if you’d rather not re-read familiar ground, you can pick up from around Volume 4 or Volume 5 and continue forward. The transition point isn’t perfectly clean — the anime rearranges some material — so starting a volume or two earlier than you think you need to is a safe bet.

Option C: Experience Both

The anime adaptation follows the manga closely enough that watching it and reading the manga doesn’t feel redundant — it feels like getting two angles on the same story. The anime adds voice acting and, crucially, music (Given is about a band, after all), which transforms certain scenes. The manga gives you Kizu Natsuki’s original art and pacing. Many fans find that doing both deepens their connection to the characters. The TV series is available on Crunchyroll for streaming.

Where Do the Films Fit?

Two anime films were released in 2024. These continue the story beyond where the TV series ends, adapting material from later volumes in the manga — primarily the arc involving Hiiragi Kashima and Shizusumi Yagi (Mafuyu’s childhood friends). If you’re watching the anime in order, the films follow the TV series chronologically. If you’re reading the manga, the films cover events from roughly the second half of the series.

Either way, the films don’t introduce original storylines — they’re adapting the same manga you’d be reading. You can watch them before or after reading the corresponding volumes, depending on whether you prefer to experience the story first in animated or printed form.

Which Edition to Buy

Given’s English edition is published by SuBLime Manga, which is part of VIZ Media and specializes in Boys’ Love titles. All 9 volumes are available in English, and since the series is complete, you can collect the entire run without waiting for future releases.

Physical Volumes

The English-language physical volumes are standard manga-sized single-volume releases. A Volumes 1–7 bundle set is available on Amazon, but there is no complete 9-volume box set or deluxe edition — the full run is available as individual volumes in the same size and format.

This actually makes collecting straightforward. You don’t need to decide between competing editions or worry about which packaging is the better deal. One format, nine books, done.

At a typical retail price of around $12.99 per volume, the full 9-volume set comes in at roughly $117 at list price before any retailer discounts — a very manageable total for a complete series.

Volume 9 — the final volume — wraps up the entire story.

Digital Volumes

All 9 volumes are also available digitally. If you prefer reading on a tablet or phone, the digital editions are identical in content to the physical releases. Digital can be a good option if you want to start reading immediately or if shelf space is limited.

Collecting the Complete Series

Since Given is a finished series at 9 volumes, it’s a very manageable collection. Compared to longer-running manga that stretch into dozens of volumes, Given is compact enough that buying the full set doesn’t require a major investment. You can pick up individual volumes as you go or grab the whole run at once — either approach works fine since nothing is out of print.

Tips for First-Time Given Readers

If you’re picking up Given for the first time, here are a few things worth knowing going in.

It’s a BL (Boys’ Love) Manga

Given is a BL manga — BL stands for “Boys’ Love,” a genre of Japanese comics centered on romantic relationships between male characters. This is the series’ core identity, not a subplot or surprise twist. If you’re new to BL, Given is widely considered one of the most accessible and emotionally grounded entry points — the relationships feel natural and character-driven rather than relying on exaggerated or formulaic romance conventions.

Music Is Central to the Story

The characters are in a band, and music is woven deeply into the narrative. One of the interesting challenges Kizu Natsuki takes on is conveying the emotional impact of music through a silent medium. The manga does this remarkably well through visual storytelling — the way characters react to sound, the arrangement and pacing of images on the page during performance scenes, and the overall rhythm of how pages flow all work to make you feel the music even though you can’t hear it.

This is also one reason the anime adaptation hits hard for fans — actually hearing the songs performed adds a dimension the manga can only suggest. But the manga’s visual approach to music is its own kind of magic.

The Tone Shifts as the Series Progresses

Given starts with a relatively light, warm atmosphere — a quiet guy with a guitar meets a band, friendships form, feelings develop. But the series gradually moves into heavier emotional territory. Grief, loss, and past trauma become significant themes, particularly as the backstory of certain characters comes into focus.

Kizu Natsuki handles these themes with genuine sensitivity. The story doesn’t exploit dark subject matter for shock value — it explores how people carry pain, how they heal (or struggle to), and how new connections can coexist with old wounds. But it’s worth being prepared for that tonal shift so it doesn’t catch you off guard.

Take Your Time

Given is only 9 volumes, and it’s tempting to blast through a short series in one sitting. But this is a story that benefits from a slower pace. The quiet moments between characters — the pauses, the unspoken feelings, the small gestures — carry a lot of weight. Rushing through can cause you to miss the subtleties that make Given feel so emotionally real.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many volumes does Given have?

9 volumes. The series was serialized in Japan’s Chéri+ magazine from 2013 to 2023. Compiled volumes were published from December 2014 to September 2023, with Volume 9 as the final volume. The English edition from SuBLime Manga also has all 9 volumes available.

Is the Given manga finished?

Yes. Given is a completed series. Volume 9 is the final volume, and the story reaches a full conclusion. You can read the entire series from start to finish without any cliffhangers left unresolved.

Do I need to watch the anime to understand the manga?

No. The manga is the original source material and tells the complete story on its own. The anime (TV series and films) adapts material from the manga, so everything in the anime comes from the same source you’d be reading. Watching the anime is a great complement to reading, but it’s not a prerequisite.

Is Given available in English?

Yes. All 9 volumes are published in English by SuBLime Manga. They’re available in both physical and digital formats. Since the series is complete, every volume is already out — no waiting for future translations.

What is the correct Given manga reading order?

Publication order: Volume 1 through Volume 9. A single-volume sequel spinoff (Given 10th Mix) has been licensed in English by SuBLime (English release November 2026), but it is set 10 years after the main story and is optional — the main 9-volume sequence stands on its own. Start at the beginning, read to the end, and you’ll get the full story exactly as the author intended.

Is Given appropriate for younger readers?

Given is a BL romance aimed at an older teen and adult audience. It deals with mature emotional themes including grief and trauma. The romantic content is tasteful but present. If you’re considering it for a younger reader, previewing a few pages of the digital edition or checking a sample online is a reasonable way to gauge whether it’s the right fit.