The showdown between Hikaru and Korea’s first, Ko Yong Ha!
Creative Staff
Story: Yumi Hotta
Art: Takeshi Obata
What They Say
Hikaru is in the toughest battle of his life when he faces Ko Yong Ha, Korea’s top player in the Hokuto Cup tournament. The stakes, however, aren’t for personal glory but for something far deeper, something that differentiates a mere game from a way of life. Hikaru knows what this means to him, but will he understand what it means to the new wave of go players and, indeed, the game of go itself?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Hikaru and Ko Yong Ha battle it out in the final round of the Hokuto Cup. Though his and Japan’s reputations are at stake, Hikaru is playing for something even more meaningful, and Hotta-sensei keeps up a recurring theme of go’s past and future throughout this exciting final match. Even Toya Meijin appears briefly to ruminate on his unforgettable online game with Sai and its possible connection to Shusaku.
I have to admit I never thought a manga about a board game could be so compelling. I’m sad to see it end, but though some might be dissatisfied with the outcome of the Hokuto Cup, I’d say Hotta-sensei concludes on a bright note and leaves you with the impression that the characters’ lives continue beyond the last page.
On that note, the series wraps up in 127 pages but makes up for it with two bonus stories. One is a flashback of Hikaru’s (Sai’s) second game against Toya, and these images of the younger Toya and Hikaru clearly illustrates how much they’ve grown up. The second bonus is about two insei’s encounter with Hikaru and Toya at the Young Lions Tournament. Though the story focuses on the insei, it gives you a strong sense of the impact Hikaru and Toya have already made on the world of go.
In Summary
Hikaru No Go has consistently enthralled its readership with rivals and battles that push its main character to the limit, and the final volume is no different as a determined Hikaru gives Korea’s first a run for his money. It’s a fine ending to an excellent, long-running series, and I do wish I could see just a little more of how much further Hikaru can go.
Extras include two bonus stories and seven sketches from a sketchbook Obata-sensei made for Hotta-sensei when this series concluded.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: All Ages
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
MSRP: 9.99
