OVA
Description
Hiiragi Kashima is a central character in the Given series, including the OVA *Given: Uragawa no Sonzai (On the Other Hand)*. He appears as a high school student and musician, undergoing significant development throughout the narrative.
During high school, Hiiragi formed the band syh with childhood friends Shizusumi Yagi (drums) and Yuki Yoshida (vocals and guitar), serving as bassist. After Yuki's death, syh continued as a two-piece. Hiiragi took over vocal duties and songwriting responsibilities previously handled by Yuki, demonstrating his determination to preserve their musical legacy while carrying profound guilt over his perceived failure to support another childhood friend, Mafuyu Sato, after Yuki's death. This guilt initially led Hiiragi to distance himself from Mafuyu, though they later reconnected.
Physically, Hiiragi stands 175 cm (approximately 5'9") with a lean, athletic build suited to his stage presence. He possesses sharp yet approachable facial features, characterized by expressive almond-shaped eyes and thin eyebrows. His blond hair is tousled with choppy bangs often framing his face. His style evolves from youthful, casual attire in high school to more structured and mature clothing in adulthood, reflecting his personal growth. In the OVA *Given: On the Other Hand*, his interactions feature a lively and occasionally confrontational dynamic, particularly in his comedic rivalry with Ritsuka Uenoyama. Hiiragi initially disliked Ritsuka but later invited him as syh's support guitarist after recognizing his musical talent.
Personality-wise, Hiiragi balances outward charisma with inner vulnerability. He is energetic, socially adept, and often the center of attention, using humor and expressiveness to connect. Beneath this, he harbors deep-seated guilt, jealousy, and emotional turbulence stemming from Yuki's death and unresolved feelings about Mafuyu's well-being. His impulsiveness and occasional insensitivity mask strong loyalty to friends and a desire for emotional security. As an adult, he shows increased maturity and self-assurance while retaining a core of empathy and introspection.
His relationship with Shizusumi Yagi is key to his development. After years of mutual childhood friendship, Hiiragi confessed his romantic feelings, leading to a committed relationship. He is openly affectionate with Shizusumi, frequently sharing details of their relationship on social media without hesitation, contrasting his earlier emotional guardedness and signifying growth toward self-acceptance.
In the OVA *Given: On the Other Hand*, Hiiragi provides comic relief through clashes with Ritsuka, likened to "adorable cats" in their banter. While the OVA focuses on Mafuyu and Ritsuka's relationship, Hiiragi's appearances reinforce his protective nature toward Mafuyu and tendency to insert himself into others' dynamics, highlighting his enduring concern for friends.
Beyond music, Hiiragi runs a personal YouTube channel focused on gaming content, adopting a comedic persona distinct from his band identity. He rarely promotes syh on this platform, maintaining a separation between public and private interests. This hobby and his unreserved sharing about his relationship with Shizusumi illustrate his multifaceted personality and comfort with self-expression.
During high school, Hiiragi formed the band syh with childhood friends Shizusumi Yagi (drums) and Yuki Yoshida (vocals and guitar), serving as bassist. After Yuki's death, syh continued as a two-piece. Hiiragi took over vocal duties and songwriting responsibilities previously handled by Yuki, demonstrating his determination to preserve their musical legacy while carrying profound guilt over his perceived failure to support another childhood friend, Mafuyu Sato, after Yuki's death. This guilt initially led Hiiragi to distance himself from Mafuyu, though they later reconnected.
Physically, Hiiragi stands 175 cm (approximately 5'9") with a lean, athletic build suited to his stage presence. He possesses sharp yet approachable facial features, characterized by expressive almond-shaped eyes and thin eyebrows. His blond hair is tousled with choppy bangs often framing his face. His style evolves from youthful, casual attire in high school to more structured and mature clothing in adulthood, reflecting his personal growth. In the OVA *Given: On the Other Hand*, his interactions feature a lively and occasionally confrontational dynamic, particularly in his comedic rivalry with Ritsuka Uenoyama. Hiiragi initially disliked Ritsuka but later invited him as syh's support guitarist after recognizing his musical talent.
Personality-wise, Hiiragi balances outward charisma with inner vulnerability. He is energetic, socially adept, and often the center of attention, using humor and expressiveness to connect. Beneath this, he harbors deep-seated guilt, jealousy, and emotional turbulence stemming from Yuki's death and unresolved feelings about Mafuyu's well-being. His impulsiveness and occasional insensitivity mask strong loyalty to friends and a desire for emotional security. As an adult, he shows increased maturity and self-assurance while retaining a core of empathy and introspection.
His relationship with Shizusumi Yagi is key to his development. After years of mutual childhood friendship, Hiiragi confessed his romantic feelings, leading to a committed relationship. He is openly affectionate with Shizusumi, frequently sharing details of their relationship on social media without hesitation, contrasting his earlier emotional guardedness and signifying growth toward self-acceptance.
In the OVA *Given: On the Other Hand*, Hiiragi provides comic relief through clashes with Ritsuka, likened to "adorable cats" in their banter. While the OVA focuses on Mafuyu and Ritsuka's relationship, Hiiragi's appearances reinforce his protective nature toward Mafuyu and tendency to insert himself into others' dynamics, highlighting his enduring concern for friends.
Beyond music, Hiiragi runs a personal YouTube channel focused on gaming content, adopting a comedic persona distinct from his band identity. He rarely promotes syh on this platform, maintaining a separation between public and private interests. This hobby and his unreserved sharing about his relationship with Shizusumi illustrate his multifaceted personality and comfort with self-expression.