Hikaru no Go

I added an entry for incoherent musings. It’s all about one of my all-time fave series Hikaru no Go. Check out the short review, uh, more like just thoughts about it.

Years spent lurking over the internet is enough time to discover a variety of lesser known anime - here in the U.S. anyway. When a forum buddy mentioned Hikaru no Go, a show built around a board game called Go, I hardly contained a sound groan. How exciting could it be watching a chess-like tournament? Talk about unappealing. I might as well tune in the Golf Channel and shoot myself. However, the impressive number of episodes, seventy-five in total, and high recommendations from other anime enthusiasts persuaded myself to give it a try.

During a four-day break from work, I decided to screen the pilot episode to provide me a first impression to whether I should allot time viewing the show. Without any major expectations, I was surprised with the addicting quality of HnG. In the end, I spent my entire mini-vacation running a Hikaru no Go marathon.

What exactly is Go?

Go is 4000-year-old, two-player, Japanese board game originated in China then spread throughout Japan. Black and white stones representing night and day, respectively, are played on top of a wooded board with a nineteen-by-nineteen grid. Though it appears simple at first glance, long years of experience, patience, strategy, and cunning is needed to master the skill. Think of a more complex version of chess.

The Premise.

A thousand years ago during the Heian period lived a Go player named Sai of the Fujiwara whose excellent mastery of the game rivals his passion for it. He served as tutor for the emperor and quietly resided in the palace. However, fate intervened with great tragedy. During an important match, he was wrongly accused of cheating an embarrassment causing him his livelihood and dignity. Without any hope, Sai drowned himself in the nearby ocean. As with other restless spirits, his soul remained in this world. He wandered across the sea for hundreds of years, possessed a Go board and finally found someone who he can communicate with. A young boy named Torajirou, filled with kindness and intelligence, allowed Sai to dwell inside his mind. He let Sai play all the games he wanted and in return Sai made the young Torajirou the legendary Honinbou Shusaku. Sai’s dream of mastering the divine move was almost in his grasp til tragedy came knocking on the door. A terrible illness claimed the life of the Shusaku at the early age of thirty-four. Once again, Sai finds himself possessing a Go board once again.

A hundred years later. One rainy evening, a mischievous sixth-grader, HIkaru Shindou, rummages his grandfather’s attic in hopes of finding an item worth selling. He did not expect an antique Go board - possessed by Sai - waiting to be discovered. To Hikaru’s surprise, he is able to see and hear the thousand-year-old spirit. Once again, Sai was able to reside in a person’s mind. The subsequent events that followed show the duo’s journey alongside a large number of supporting cast toward the divine move.

Final Thoughts

For a non-player myself, the game is quite confusing to watch but the writers were smart enough to give various explanations for better understanding. Surprisingly, the match shown in the program elicits excitement and intrigue. Heck, there are few moments where I wait breathlessly for a deciding move. Although the series heavily relies on matches, the character development is where HnG truly shines. Sai, who has been selfishly asking god for an infinite amount of time, gradually realizes the purpose of his existence. Hikaru, who was introduced as a very cheerful boy with no care in the world, matured into a young man with a bright future. Sai, Hikaru, and almost every important character on the series eventually shows a significant amount of maturity.

Humor, drama, and excitement easily whips up one of the most entertaining anime around. Without a doubt Hikaru no Go will remain one of my most beloved show that I will always enjoy watching again and again. Who knew an old Japanese board game would inspire an excellent premise for an anime series? Really, who knew?