ヒカルの碁 [Hikaru no Go] #7

Hikaru no Go, Vol. 7: The Young Lions Tournament

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After stumbling across a haunted go board, Hikaru Shindo discovers that the spirit of a master player named Fujiwara-no-Sai has taken up residence in his consciousness. Sai awakens in Hikaru an untapped genius for the game, and soon the schoolboy is chasing his own dream--defeating the famed go prodigy Akira Toya!

Hikaru is horrified to find that he's losing all of his games at the insei school! The Young Lions Tournament is just three months away, and the insei who qualify will play against rookie pros, including Akira. Hikaru sees his chance to impress his rival, but can he turn his losing streak around in time?

205 pages, Paperback

First published June 2,2000

About the author

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Yumi Hotta (堀田 由美 Hotta Yumi, most often written as ほった ゆみ) is a Japanese mangaka, best known as the author of the best-selling manga and anime series Hikaru no Go, about the game of go that is widely credited for the recent boom of the game in Japan. The idea behind Hikaru no Go began when Yumi Hotta played a pick-up game of go with her father-in-law. She thought that it might be fun to create a manga based on this traditional board game, and began the work under the title of Nine Stars (九つの星 Kokonotsu no Hoshi), named for the nine "star points" on a go board. She later worked with Takeshi Obata (the illustrator) and Yukari Umezawa (5-Dan, the supervisor) in the creation of Hikaru no Go. She won the 2000 Shogakukan Manga Award and the 2003 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for Hikaru no Go.

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 37 votes)
5 stars
10(27%)
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14(38%)
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13(35%)
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37 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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It's not a bad manga by any means. The story has its moments and the art style is quite decent. However, it just didn't manage to capture my full attention and become my favorite. Maybe it's because the plot didn't have that extra something that would make it truly stand out. Or perhaps the characters didn't develop in a way that I could fully connect with them. Nevertheless, I can see that there are aspects of this manga that others might really enjoy. It has its own charm and unique features. It's just that for me, it didn't quite hit the mark. But that doesn't mean it's not a good manga. It's just a matter of personal preference.

July 15,2025
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The tankobon begins with Hikaru Shindo patiently waiting for Yoshitaka Waya to take him to his study group. As he waits, Seiji Ogata, a student of Toya Meijin and the one who sponsored Shindo for an insei, crosses his path. Ogata invites Shindo to attend Toya Meijin's study group, which includes Akira Toya, Shindo's rival. However, Shindo refuses, much to Sai's heartbreak, as he doesn't want to study with Toya but rather beat him. In his parting words, Ogata tells Shindo about the Young Lions Tournament.


The Young Lions Tournament is a Pro-Am Tournament. The amateur part consists of the top sixteen students of Group A. The problem is that Shindo is still at the bottom of Group B. With a new goal in mind, Shindo works extremely hard and eventually manages to get into Group A. He rises in rank and makes it to the sixteenth position just in time for the Young Lions Tournament. But unfortunately, he fails to pass the first round and play Toya in the second.


Meanwhile, the Go Club at Shindo's school attempts to conscript Yuki Mitani to play as First Board. This way, the Boys can participate in the upcoming tournament and maybe even beat their rival school where Toya Akira goes. Surprisingly, they manage to coax Mitani to come and also manage to keep him there. It's a beautiful ending for a Go Club that started with a hope and a dream.


All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tankobon and witnessing Shindo's growth in strength at an astonishing rate. Shindo's journey from the bottom of Group B to Group A and then to the Young Lions Tournament, being just one round away from playing Toya, is truly remarkable. With the Pro Examination即将到来, I can't wait to read the next tankobon in the series. I'm eagerly anticipating seeing Shindo and Toya both become professionals and play a game.
July 15,2025
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Hikaru discovers that there is a Young Tigers Tournament where professionals compete against inseis. However, to participate, one must be in a group and ranked 16th or higher. Hikaru is the 18th in the B group. So, he tries extremely hard. Sai knows his weakness, which is that he is scared of the other players' moves. Eventually, he manages to move up to the A group and finally reaches the 16th place.

When he is playing a game with Waya, he almost gets discovered that he was Sai, who is the strongest Go player Waya has ever known, while Hikaru is a weaker player. The Young Tigers Tournament begins, and his first opponent is Shinich. He loses by 6 and 1/2 points. Akira Toya still thinks about Hikaru's game where he missed the last part of the game. So, he asks Ogata 9 dan. Ogata says that Akira will find out in the pro's test.

This story shows Hikaru's determination and growth in the world of Go. It also highlights the intense competition and the mystery surrounding Hikaru's connection to Sai. The Young Tigers Tournament provides a platform for young players to prove themselves and face tough opponents.

Johanna Ma
205 pages
July 15,2025
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The pacing in this series, as it progresses, can prove to be a bit frustrating.

Despite the fact that my admiration for Hikaru, Akira, and a select few other characters grows with each volume.

I often struggle to recall the names of characters in anime and manga, and this issue has been worsened by the somewhat frequent introduction of new characters who vanish from one book to the next.

However, I am delighted to observe that the relationship between Hikaru and Fujiwara has developed since the last two books.

This evolution adds an interesting layer to the story and makes me more invested in their characters and the overall narrative.

It will be exciting to see how their relationship continues to unfold in future volumes and how it impacts the other characters and the plot as a whole.

Overall, while the pacing and character name recall can be challenging, the engaging characters and evolving relationships make this series a worthwhile read.
July 15,2025
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You should definitely start reading this amazing series.

However, it is of utmost importance that you begin with number 1.

Starting from the first book allows you to fully understand the story's development, the characters' growth, and the overall plotline.

Each book in the series builds upon the previous one, creating a seamless and engaging narrative.

By reading in order, you won't miss any crucial details or connections that are essential for a complete and satisfying reading experience.

So, don't hesitate! Grab the first book and embark on this exciting literary journey.

You'll be glad you did!
July 15,2025
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Some excitement this time.

Waya is recognizing Sai and the young lions tournament.

This recognition brings a new level of anticipation and enthusiasm. Sai, being acknowledged, feels a sense of pride and motivation. The young lions tournament is also in the spotlight, attracting the attention of many.

It is a platform for young talents to showcase their skills and prove themselves. The competition is likely to be intense, with each participant vying for the top spot.

The recognition by Waya not only validates the efforts of Sai and the participants but also gives the tournament more credibility and significance.

It will surely draw more spectators and create a buzz in the community. As the tournament approaches, everyone is eagerly waiting to see who will emerge victorious and make a name for themselves.

July 15,2025
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Ogata-sensei is an interesting person, isn't he? He wants Hikaru and Akira to be a couple.

Another interesting thing is the development of the plot, which is very good and keeps changing. Akira and Hikaru, these two characters, show an interesting development.

The story seems to have many twists and turns, making it highly engaging. We can't help but be curious about what will happen next. Will Hikaru and Akira really become a couple as Ogata-sensei hopes? And how will the plot continue to unfold?

These questions make us eager to read more and explore the mysteries hidden within the story. The combination of the interesting characters and the constantly evolving plot makes this a truly captivating tale.
July 15,2025
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If the path to the Lion War! And, the story of the Go club has a happy ending ^^ Taya, Hikaru is coming!~

Anime-manga match-up:

Episodes 25-26 (double episode) cover up to page 108 of volume 7 (games 52-56.5).

Episode 27 includes pages 161-177 of volume 6 and pages 118-139 of volume 7 (game 51 (minus the first few pages) and game 57).

Episode 28 consists of pages 142-182 of volume 7 (games 58-59).

The first half of episode 29 contains pages 188-205 of volume 7 (game 60).

This set of episodes didn't precisely follow the manga and even went back to volume 6 for a short while. It's interesting to see how the anime adapts the source material, sometimes deviating from the original storyline. This might bring both excitement and surprises to the viewers who are familiar with the manga. However, it also allows the anime to present the story in a different light and potentially吸引更多的观众. Overall, despite the differences, the essence of the story and the characters' development are still preserved, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of the series.
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