As I mentioned in my previous volume reviews, I did not enjoy volumes 5 and 6.

Thankfully, volume 7 was more enjoyable, and this one was lots of fun. (Minus that annoying Tsubaki guy. Although, at least because of him, Hikaru's friends realized he needed to practice against adults so that he gets better and doesn't get nervous next time he plays against an adult in the pro test.)

They keep talking about how amazing Akira is at go, but that's to be expected because he's been playing for years. Of course, he's better than Hikaru. I don't believe in prodigies. I believe in lots of hard work and experience. What should be considered amazing is that in just one year of playing go, Hikaru has gotten so good.

There's one thing I'm wondering. If anyone under 30 can enter the pro test, then how come Hikaru had to jump through so many hoops to get there? Or is it because he wanted to improve quickly and becoming an insei was the only way to do that? I don't remember exactly what was said about this when he was just playing for fun and what volume it was in.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. And if I enjoy volumes 9 and 10 as well, then I will buy the rest of the series.

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A wonderful approach to gain knowledge about the Go culture of Japan is through various means. One can start by reading books and articles that specifically focus on the history, rules, and strategies of Go. These resources can provide in-depth insights into the evolution of this ancient game and its significance in Japanese society. Another option is to watch Go tournaments and matches, either in person or online. Observing the skilled players and their techniques can be both educational and inspiring. Additionally, joining a local Go club or community allows for hands-on experience and the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals who share a passion for the game. By engaging in these activities, one can truly immerse themselves in the rich and fascinating world of Japanese Go culture.

This tankobon mainly centers around the Preliminaries for the Professional Go Exams, as indicated by the title.

Even though the top eight insei are automatically seeded into the Pro Exams, Yoshitaka Waya tells Hikaru Shindo that they calculate the average of the last three months and select their eight from that. Thus, despite Shindo reaching the top five, he still had to take the preliminaries because his average ranking didn't meet the requirement.

I'm glad they did this as it exposes Shindo's world to the broader amateur Go world. Introducing amateur adults who wish to take on the Pro Exam, those who were once insei but aged out or were too old to become an insei yet still desire to become a Professional was a really good concept. I particularly enjoyed two of them: Tatsuhiko Kadowaki and Toshiro Tsubaki.

Kadowaki was the Collegiate Go Champion in his time and finally decided to become a Go pro. However, after playing Sai (through Shindo) in a pick-up game, he changed his mind. After seeing the supposed level of the insei, Kadowaki decides to take a year off to truly focus on his game and reapply to become a Go pro the following year.

Tsubaki is a large man named after a flower, with a beard and a brash personality. Shindo nicknamed him Gorilla Man, and he apparently becomes Shindo's new best friend. Due to his imposing and self-confident nature, Shindo felt intimidated and lost the game to him.

Like many things, Shindo barely manages to pass the preliminaries and tells Waya and Shinichiro Isumi about his problem with Tsubaki. Their response is to take Shindo to one of the many Go Salons in Tokyo to play Go and get Shindo used to playing what the Insei call Outsiders.

There are two other notable scenes in this tankobon. Seiji Ogata challenges Kuwabara Honinbo for his title and states that there is a new wave of Go approaching and he wants to face it head-on as a title holder. The second scene that was really impactful is about Shindo's mother going to her father-in-law and asking about her son's recent abnormal behavior - that he wanted to become a Go Pro and didn't inform his parents about this decision.

All in all, I was really satisfied with this tankobon. Although there weren't any major tournament-like games, it does展示 the inner workings of how to become a Go Pro. From the humble beginnings of an insei to working one's way up to the Pro Preliminaries and finally to the Pro Exam, which hopefully begins in the next tankobon.

I'm still having a good time reading this manga. However, I'm not overly invested in Hikaru's story. I'm a huge fan of character interaction and character growth. Sadly, these characters mostly have one goal, which is to move up in the ranks. And there isn't much progression other than going from one go tournament to the next one.

I really liked chapter 62, especially when Sai gets to play! That was a great moment. Also, chapters 66 and 67 were quite interesting as we got a tiny little glimpse into Hikaru's mom's worries. It would have been really nice if the manga had focused more on small, interpersonal issues like that. It could have added more depth and realism to the story. Instead of just constantly focusing on the go tournaments and the characters' ranking, it would have been refreshing to see more of their personal lives and the challenges they face in their relationships.

Overall, while I'm still enjoying the manga, I do feel that it could have been even better if it had explored these aspects more.

This is a rather straightforward volume.

As Hikaru commences the preliminaries for the pro test, he encounters his greatest adversary: a boisterous fellow in his mid-20s!!!

It's not that this guy is extremely distant from him in terms of skill, yet Hikaru gets disrupted in his game.

Can he make a comeback? Sort of?

It isn't the most thrilling volume, but there is a wonderful equilibrium between the progression of the arc for Hikaru and the amount of time the insei characters spend socializing and chatting with one another.

I adore the camaraderie they share, being both friends who assist each other in improving and rivals who must defeat each other to advance.

The interactions and relationships among the characters add depth and charm to the story, making it an engaging read despite not being overly exciting in this particular volume.

It sets the stage for further developments and challenges that Hikaru will surely face on his journey towards becoming a professional.

Overall, it's a solid installment that keeps the readers invested in Hikaru's story and the world of Go.

Hikaru now embarks on the preliminary tests with the aspiration of joining the ranks of professional go players. In Japan and Korea, it is indeed possible for adolescents to become professional go players, but typically they have been engaged in intense playing and studying for years, which is not the case for Hikaru. Of course, the vast majority of adolescent go players do not have a thousand-year-old ghost as their tutor.

Once again, Hikaru nearly succumbs to self-defeat by allowing himself to be intimidated. In the first of his five games in the preliminary trials (where one must win at least three to progress to the next round), he encounters a boorish, bearded man who rides a motorcycle and whom he and his young friends call a "godzilla." Since anyone under the age of 30 can take the pro test, this outsider manages to unnerve his young opponent. He even invites Hikaru to lunch and then boasts about how Hikaru made the error of making the last move before lunch, thereby giving his opponent the opportunity to strategize during the break.

This theme is mirrored in the subplot of Ogata 9-dan versus Kuwabara sensei. Kuwabara, an older go master who currently holds the Hon'inbo title that Ogata desires, proves to be a shrewd old man who outwits Ogata after Ogata makes a "sealed move" before their overnight break.

Most of this volume is dedicated to Hikaru's participation in the preliminaries. There is a female Insei named Asumi Nase, who is quite an attractive young woman. There is a brief moment when Hikaru seems to take notice of her. Will the boy finally develop an interest in something other than go?

Furthermore, his mother has apparently been completely unaware all this time that Hikaru is preparing to become a professional go player. While it is true that Japanese housewives often lead rather secluded lives at home and dote on their sons, Hikaru really needed a wake-up call. Also, we haven't seen his father since volume one...

The story's development is truly amazing.

Surprises upon surprises unfold smoothly along with the excellent plot development.

As the story progresses, it constantly keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to know what will happen next.

The author has done a great job in creating a captivating narrative that draws the audience in and makes them fully engaged.

The seamless flow of the story, combined with the unexpected twists and turns, makes it a truly enjoyable read.

It's as if the story has a life of its own, guiding the readers through a thrilling adventure.

Overall, the development of this story is a testament to the author's skill and creativity, and it's sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

This volume went by quickly.

It was very engaging, as usual, with a fun team dynamic. The storylines were captivating and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The characters were well-developed and their interactions added a layer of depth and authenticity to the narrative.

The team's chemistry was palpable, and it was a joy to watch them work together towards their common goals.

Despite the fast pace, the author managed to convey important themes and messages, making this volume not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

I can't wait to see what the next volume has in store for this amazing team.

Overall, this was another great installment in the series, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

Yumi Hotta, Hikaru no Go: The Pro Test Preliminaries: Day Four (ViZ, 1998)

This installment of the Hikaru no Go series is another great addition, despite the somewhat strange title choice as it actually covers the entire preliminaries. Hikaru is accustomed to playing with his study group, but the pro test preliminaries have a wide range of participants, including adults up to the age of twenty-nine. As a result, Hikaru now finds himself playing against people he has never encountered before. One such person is Tsubata, a bearded and obnoxious adult who seems to have taken a liking to Hikaru. This unexpected attention throws Hikaru's game off significantly. The question now is, can Hikaru overcome these difficulties and advance to the pro test? It's all very engaging and makes for great reading. ****

Hikaru No Go has finally achieved a good equilibrium between its central plot of the impending professional exam and the entertaining subplots. Although it does have a few moments that feel a bit dragged out, it still offers an enjoyable experience. Volume 8 mainly centers around the insei as they prepare for the pro exam. Hikaru, due to not having a high ranking, has to take the preliminaries. Meanwhile, Ogata goes up against a title holder, Kuwabara. Despite having limited screentime, Kuwabara manages to be an interesting character. Hikaru gets psyched out by the adult players at the prelims, which is paralleled by Ogata feeling intimidated by Kuwabara. Additionally, we get a brief one-chapter story of Sai getting to play against a former insei.

Overall, Volume 8 is a promising step in the right direction for this series in terms of balancing storytelling. Obata's art is outstanding on every front, making it a pleasure to look at. The detailed illustrations bring the Go matches and the characters to life, adding to the overall enjoyment of the manga. It will be interesting to see how the story progresses in the next volumes and if the balance between the main plot and subplots is maintained.

How much time has elapsed by now? Is it feasible to achieve such significant improvement in a game within that specific time frame? Hikaru indeed possesses an abundance of talent. However, we are now moving towards the aspects where the mindset plays a crucial role. Even a professional can suffer a defeat if he loses his composure. In a game, time is an important factor. It can determine whether a player has enough opportunity to showcase their skills and make progress. And when it comes to the realm of mindset, it can have a profound impact on a player's performance. A calm and focused mindset can help a player make better decisions and handle pressure more effectively. On the other hand, a loss of cool can lead to mistakes and a decline in performance. Therefore, as we continue to observe Hikaru's progress in the game, it will be interesting to see how he manages his time and maintains a winning mindset.

Ok, I'm only on page 7 because I just started it. So far, all I know is that they are in line for a Go place. I'm really curious about what will happen next. Maybe they will have an exciting adventure at the Go place. Will they meet new people? Or will they encounter some challenges? I can't wait to find out. As I continue reading, I hope to learn more about the characters and the story. I wonder if there are any surprises in store for me. I'm sure that the author has something interesting planned. I'll keep reading and see where this journey takes me.