What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGiven
Film · 2020
If you loved Given, start with given (2019) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Given across media.
What hooked you in Given was the way the complexities of artistic passion and unrequited longing collide with the ache of growing up.
Start with the source
The source
given
Series · 2019
Books on the same thread
Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森)
Haruki Murakami · Book · 1987
Shares a thread with Given: Coming-of-Age.
Much like the characters in Given, the protagonists here navigate the heavy, lingering weight of loss and emotional growth, exploring how grief shapes the way we pursue our deepest connections.
Eugene Onegin
Alexander Pushkin · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Given: Unrequited Love.
If the layered romantic rivalry in Given captivated you, this classic verse novel offers a similarly timeless examination of unrequited love and the disillusionment that often accompanies youth and longing.
Sputnik Sweetheart
Haruki Murakami · Book · 2001
Shares a thread with Given: Unrequited Love.
The profound sense of alienation and the pursuit of a distant, beloved figure in this story mirror the internal struggle and existential questioning found throughout the narrative of Given.
If We Were a Movie
Zakiya N Jamal · Book · 2025
Explores: Academic Rivalry, Black-Owned Business, Movie Theater Setting.
This romance captures the same tension between professional ambition and personal attraction found in Given, specifically through the lens of rivals forced to navigate their feelings in high-pressure environments.
Series on the same thread
Your Lie in April
Series · 2014
Explores: Grief, Healing Through Art, Overcoming Trauma.
The way music serves as a vehicle for healing and emotional expression in Given is central here, as a traumatized musician discovers a new path through an unexpected, transformative connection.
NANA
Ai Yazawa · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with Given: Coming-of-Age.
This story echoes the focus on the music industry and personal dreams seen in Given, highlighting how the intense bonds formed between roommates can define one's path toward adulthood.
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Explores: Rivalry, Forbidden Love, Career Ambition.
Just as in Given, the secret, evolving relationship between these two rivals highlights the intersection of professional career ambition and the vulnerability of falling for someone you work alongside.
Yuri!!! on Ice
Series · 2016
Explores: Finding Purpose, Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Overcoming Adversity.
The mentor-mentee dynamic and the process of finding purpose through performance in this show directly parallel the character development and emotional stakes that drive the plot of Given.
Podcasts on the same thread
Chasing The Sun - Season 1 [Audioserye]
Podcast
Explores: struggling student, poverty, abuse.
The raw, grounded exploration of coming-of-age struggles in this series matches the emotional honesty of Given, focusing on how individuals persevere through life's hardships while finding their own voice.
Wake Up and Win
Podcast
Explores: anime inspiration, personal growth, goal achievement.
If you appreciated how the characters in Given used their craft to overcome emotional hurdles, this podcast translates those same themes of self-discovery and personal growth into actionable motivation.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Given in?
You should start with the 2019 Given TV series to understand the character dynamics. After completing the series, you can move on to the 2020 Given movie, which centers on the complex love triangle between Haruki, Akihiko, and Ugetsu Murata.
Is Given 2020 a direct sequel to the 2019 series?
Yes, the 2020 Given movie functions as a continuation of the 2019 Given television series. It focuses on the evolving relationships between Haruki, Akihiko, and Ugetsu, picking up the narrative threads established in the earlier show.
Does the Given movie focus on Haruki and Akihiko?
Yes, the 2020 Given movie highlights the relationship between Haruki and Akihiko. It explores the tension caused by Akihiko's existing connection with his roommate, Ugetsu Murata, and shows how the feelings between these three characters begin to shift and move forward.
How long is the Given movie compared to the TV series?
The 2020 Given movie is a feature-length film that follows the 2019 Given television series. While the series covers a broader timeline of events, the movie provides a focused look at the specific conflict involving Haruki, Akihiko, and Ugetsu.