Hikaru no Go

Given the story line, I didn't have a lot of expectation going into this one and ended up pleasantly surprised. There are no amazing episodes, just a good paced, easy to watch story that was an enjoyable way to pass the time. It was even tempting to learn how to play go after watching this. The art wasn't spectacular, but I liked the subtle aging of the young characters as they grew over the two or so years this series takes place. After the series finished, even though it wasn't mind blowingly amazing, I often thought about it and ended up re-watching the series again and then writing this review. I strongly suggest looking past the boring sounding story line and giving this anime a go. It might just surprise you.

I do not usualy write a review, but this time for this Anime I felt I had too. I started the series a couple of years ago and dropped it after the 14th episode. Thinking at that point this was was all it could offer. I was very wrong. After trying it for the second time, I am very glad that I did. It was beyond expectations and would recommend it for anyone to watch.

I never knew what Go was when I first started watching this. After I completed the series, that's all I wanted to do was play Go. This series goes very deep in the mind of the main character so much that you want to play against him just to see what he would do next.

Well it was good, but hard too focus at times. let's break this up: Story: It had a good storyline, I liked how it introduced to story line in the first episode, then again, it's an anime about go, not much to introduce. Art: It animation I thought weren't too bad, although personally, not my favorite kind(where guys look like girls). The animation looked like an Shojo anime(one of my least favorite genres), but it's not. I'm not sure how to put this anime into a genre. Sound: The voice actors I thought did a great, the opening themes were good too, but what kept it from being a 10 was the the voice gets dull at time, some times, not most of the times. Character: This show is the definition of character development, from the first episode, to the middle, to the end, the character changed. It makes you think, remember that kid Hikaru? He can't even place a stone right! Enjoyment: I'm sorry to say, but to me, this dosen't have enough acting in it. I'm a shouen lover, this doesn't do it for me. However, the fact that a little bit of comedy was mixed in changed my opinion overall(how Sai thinks everything we have know is weird). Though it gets boring at times. Overall: This was a great anime, I really enjoyed it, although it gets boring at times, it will get better. The good thing about this anime is that you have to know how to play go to watch, it's possible that even if you hate go from the bottom of your heart, you can still enjoy this. Then again, all of this is just me.

What's not to like? A transexual looking reincarnation of a legendary Go player teaching a kid how to play Go and paved out a career for him. Good art, good story, and the ending was just absolutely nice! Also I love how they teach you a little bit of Go at the end of every episode. The anime almost made me wanted to start playing Go, ALMOST. The only turn offs were the Go salons, I mean wtf? I sure as hell haven't seen a street full of Go salons like what they showed in the anime. Only thing I saw in real life that's even close to that is a casino. P.S. Keep in mind as you watch the anime that switching hands DOES NOT make you play better, the artist should get shot for that; setting that aside, the anime is great.

This anime brought me into a new and unique story perspective that you won’t find in almost any other entertainment. Very few shows, anime, and movie Can make you feel for a board game and for characters the way this anime does. I was very new to Go when I first watched this anime, but I had such an appreciation for its complexity and attachment to character by the time it was over. I began to see go in all parts of my life and I remembered the quotes of characters in significant moments. The first couple episodes draw you in and then the anime gets a little slow around the 3-5 episode range if I remember correctly. Once you get past this first slow bump, the anime will have you hooked. Furthermore, the anime is a bit older and the animation isn’t anything like modern shows nowadays, but once you get used to it, it’s almost better than most anime animation now. It has a great homie feeling. The music is also some of my favorite music from an anime ever like damn.

In the interest of keeping things short and sweet I would say I definitely recommend this anime. Even if u know absolutely nothing about go (like me). The interpersonal drama in the show really elevates the excitement of the sport. I would say if you like sports anime you will like this. The music is very good and MOST of the characters are likeable and make you root for them. My one criticism is the main character is not very likeable. He can be kinda annoying but this part of his character was made up with sai (his go ghost instructor). Although the end left a bit to be desired.

DISCLAIMER: You don’t need to know anything about the board game “go” to watch/enjoy this anime. I really liked this anime while not knowing this game existed before I watched it. Also this review contains minor spoilers from ep 1. Plot/Story This anime is about the board game “go”. The MC Hikaru finds a go board in his grandfather's house and meets a ghost named Sai that only he can see. The ghost is an ancient go instructor for the Japanese Emperor in the Heian Era. Hikaru knows nothing about the game but lets the sai play by following his instructions. In a go salon he met a kid the same age named Akira, he’s a genius at the game for his age. Hikaru shows interest in the game and makes akira his rival, here begins hikaru’s journey in the go world. Animation/Design I liked the art but nothing too spectacular. I really liked how they animated the way they placed the stones on the field, didn’t know it could be done so cool lol. Characters I really liked the characters in this anime even though hikaru can be a little annoying but he's just a kid after all, but for the rest you will find yourself completely in sync with Shindou's reactions to other people. Sai was also a cool character and I liked his development later on. Audio/Soundtrack The sound when the stones hit the field are really satisfying and the bgm really fits in intense games. Also the first 20 seconds of the first ending are really nice, the rest is okay. None of the other openings/endings were that good tbh but for the rest they did great Overall I really enjoyed this anime even tho i didn't know any of the rules of GO, I did start playing myself though mid anime caus it looked very interesting and i understand a lot more know about it but u dont need to know anything about the game to truly enjoy the anime, The ending satisfying

I never realize before I started watching this series that I will love this anime so freaking much!.I finished 75 episodes in less than two weeks. I just could'nt stopped!I was captivated by the sounds ,the story ,the characters, Go, and everything that one never knew I could experience watching this anime. At first ,before watching any epidsodes , i thought it was going to be like Jumanji or something like that. To my surprize it was nothing I 've expected and everything to be expected from an amazing anime!...The story was so good I put on hold all other anime I was watching at the time!.......

I must admit that I wasn't expecting to like this anime so much, but the fact is that I had a great time watching it. The subject is original, the characters are endearing, Obata's designs are very well done, the story manages to involve you quite strongly despite a rather slow pace, which manages to make Go very cool to watch, and there's lots of other really cool stuff. I'd still like to emphasize two things that I find very successful: Firstly, the Hikaru/Akira rivalry, which is the main thread running through the anime and which is very well written, with one of them pushing the other to take up Go and the other pursuing a chimera that will make him change his way of playing in the presence of Sai's game through Hikaru's intermediary. So both progress in Go and evolve as their rivalry progresses, and that's super interesting. The second thing is the theme that the anime tackles through its story, talking about many aspects of Go (even the less glamorous ones like the precariousness of amateur players), which gives quite a broad portrait of the profession and that's rare enough to highlight. On top of that, there's a whole subject on the transmission of knowledge and a questioning of where to stop in one's quest for excellence, and what's the point of going so far and regularly questioning the passion and absolutism of the characters in the Go. In short, this is a truly original and very clever anime, which managed to captivate me on a subject I wasn't particularly interested in from a distance, while at the same time moving me at certain moments (especially the ending, which is bathed in the feeling of looking back at all the ground we've covered so far). To sum up all this talk: Look at Hikaru no Go, it's super cool and not well-known enough.

Very unique Anime. I am not a big fan of sport like animes but this one here is top notch. Some might argue it's not a typical sport but i am putting it in the same category, it's a very centered topic which the whole anime evolves around and it's simply amazing. I remember binging the entire anime and afterwards getting into GO for quite some time, downloading GO Apps on my phone and playing non stop myself for a few months. I have never been as inspired to do something in the real world as it was depicted in an anime.

Wow never thought this one would get me this invested. I have very little prior knowledge to GO. Know what it is but never played and dont know a single rule before watching it. Not much into sports or game shows either. Its usually more like One outs, that has a more psychological twist to it, or Akagi (Mahjong). Hikaru no go is more lighthearted show. Sure theres some psychological battles going on but not really in the same sense as the previously mentioned. But despite that i ended up really enjoying it. Great characters. Very relaxing show. Hikarus journey. The matches. Its just enjoyable all the way through 75 episodes. Loved the small segments at the end when they had a women, i think her name was Yukari and two kids explaining GO. Music: Wow didnt think a show like this would have such great music. The first OP is killer and have been played frequently on my phone since hearing it for the first time. Overall high quality on all OP and ED. And the original BGM is great also and heigthens the story GO battles and the more sad/calming moments. Art: Not much to say. Early 2000 -2010 is best for me. The only negative thing i can say is it ends without a real conclusion the the sequel special. Would live to have seen that tournament. Especially since they added a new character which ended up being one of the mist interesting despite only featuring for one episodes. The show also takes a small dip towards the end but ended on a high note. I think what i take with me the most and the shows greatest strength is how it made me interested in the world of GO. Seems like the manga/anime had that effect in Japan also when it aired way back. Ive been reading about it and watched some games on youtube. Show gets a very strong 9/10 for me. A kickass final tournament and it could have maybe jumped to a 10/10. One of the biggest anime surprises for me how invested i became in not just this show but the game of GO itself. Well done everybody involved in this project and thank you.