No major spoilers in this article.
The correct Given anime watch order is the release order:
- Given — TV anime, all 11 episodes
- given the Movie
- given: on the other hand — officially classified in Japan as the OAD Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
- given The Movie: Hiiragi Mix
- given The Movie: To the Sea
Start with all 11 TV episodes, then continue through the films and OAD in the order above. given The Movie: To the Sea is the official conclusion, so the complete anime story can now be watched from beginning to end.
Given Watch Order at a Glance
| Order | Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Given | TV anime — 11 episodes | 2019 |
| 2 | given the Movie | Film | 2020 |
| 3 | given: on the other hand | OAD | 2021 |
| 4 | given The Movie: Hiiragi Mix | Film | 2024 |
| 5 | given The Movie: To the Sea | Film | 2024 |
For a first viewing, release order is also the clearest story order. You do not need to rearrange episodes or insert the OAD in the middle of the first film.
1. Start With Given, the TV Anime
Begin with all 11 episodes of the Given TV anime. This is where Ritsuka Uenoyama meets Mafuyu Sato, where Mafuyu joins the band, and where music becomes the language the characters use when ordinary conversation is not enough.
The TV series establishes Mafuyu and Ritsuka’s relationship, but it also introduces Haruki Nakayama, Akihiko Kaji, Ugetsu Murata, Hiiragi Kashima, Shizusumi Yagi, and the emotional history that connects them. The later films assume you already understand these relationships.
Do not begin with a movie. Even when a film shifts its focus to different characters, its emotional weight comes from what the TV series has already shown you.
2. Watch given the Movie Next
The 2020 film continues after the TV anime and moves the main focus toward Haruki, Akihiko, and Ugetsu. Mafuyu and Ritsuka remain part of the story, but the central conflict is older, messier, and more difficult than the first romance arc.
This change of focus can surprise first-time viewers. It does not mean the story has abandoned Mafuyu and Ritsuka; it is widening the emotional world of the band.
After watching, readers who want a spoiler-filled explanation of the relationship outcome can continue to Who Does Akihiko Kaji End Up With?
3. Where Does given: on the other hand Fit?
Watch given: on the other hand immediately after given the Movie.
The Japanese official site classifies this release as OAD Given: Uragawa no Sonzai. It was originally included as a new anime DVD with the limited edition of manga Volume 7. Crunchyroll uses the English streaming title given: on the other hand.
The OAD returns the focus to Mafuyu and Ritsuka and shows events that were not depicted in the 2020 film. Because it complements that film rather than beginning a new main arc, watching it afterward gives you the clearest, least confusing experience.
You may see it described online as an OVA or special. Those labels help explain the format, but OAD is the official Japanese classification and is the term used here.
4. Continue With given The Movie: Hiiragi Mix
Hiiragi Mix is the first half of the two-film final project. Its center is Hiiragi Kashima, Shizusumi Yagi, their band syh, and Ritsuka’s involvement with their music.
This film also brings Mafuyu’s past closer to the present. Hiiragi and Shizusumi did not simply know Yuki; they carry their own grief, guilt, affection, and unfinished conversations. That is why Hiiragi Mix belongs after the TV anime, the first film, and the OAD—not before them.
For more character context after watching, read Hiiragi Kashima Explained and Yuki Yoshida Explained.
5. Finish With given The Movie: To the Sea
To the Sea is the final entry in the anime watch order and the second half of the 2024 film project.
The official site describes it as the conclusion of the Given anime series. It brings the story back to Mafuyu, Ritsuka, music, and the question that has followed Mafuyu from the beginning: how do you move forward without treating the past as something that must be erased?
Do not watch To the Sea before Hiiragi Mix. The two films form a connected final chapter, and the emotional and musical developments in Hiiragi Mix lead directly into the conclusion.
Is the Given Anime Series Finished?
Yes. The anime series reaches its official conclusion with given The Movie: To the Sea.
This does not mean the franchise can never receive another project, event, or adaptation. It means the existing anime tells a complete story and the official production presented To the Sea as its finale. A first-time viewer does not have to stop at an unresolved point or wait for a required sequel.
Can You Skip the OAD?
You could still follow the main plot without it, but skipping it is not recommended for a complete watch.
The OAD is short, restores attention to Mafuyu and Ritsuka after the first film’s focus shift, and fills in part of their relationship during that period. It is especially worthwhile if their story is the main reason you started Given.
Where to Watch Given Legally
Crunchyroll currently lists the Given TV anime, given the Movie, given: on the other hand, Hiiragi Mix, and To the Sea in its catalogue. Availability, subtitles, dubs, and individual titles can differ by country and can change over time.
Before subscribing or renting, open the service in your own region and search for each title separately. The official Japanese streaming page also lists Japanese services, but those catalogues and access conditions are intended for Japan.
If a title is missing where you live, use the guide How to Watch Japanese Anime Legally to compare authorized services and regional catalogues. Avoid assuming that a listing from another country applies to yours.
Should You Read the Manga Too?
The anime reaches a conclusion, so reading the manga is not required to understand the viewing order. The original nine-volume manga is still valuable if you want more room for character transitions, conversations, and quieter emotional details.
Use Where to Read Japanese Manga Legally Online to find authorized options in your region. Check the language, format, volume number, and seller before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Given watch order?
Watch the 11-episode TV anime, given the Movie, given: on the other hand, Hiiragi Mix, and finally To the Sea.
Is given: on the other hand an OVA or an OAD?
The Japanese official site calls it an OAD. Crunchyroll lists it in English as given: on the other hand. Some English-language pages call it an OVA or special, but OAD is the official classification used in this guide.
Should I watch the OAD before or after given the Movie?
Watch it after given the Movie. It complements events not shown in the film and brings the focus back to Mafuyu and Ritsuka.
Are Hiiragi Mix and To the Sea separate movies?
Yes. They are the two parts of the final film project. Watch Hiiragi Mix first and To the Sea second.
Is To the Sea the ending of Given?
Yes. The official anime site presents To the Sea as the conclusion of the anime series.
