This is the very first manga that I have ever delved into, and let me tell you, I am completely and utterly hooked.

I have developed a profound love for the characters. Although Hikaru can be a bit of a brat at times, his charm still manages to shine through.

The art in this manga is simply breathtaking. It's so detailed and vivid that it truly brings the story to life.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I love this manga. Seriously, if you haven't read it yet, you need to go to the library right away and check out the first six volumes.

Once you do that, BAM! You'll find that it has just booked the rest of your day and even part of tomorrow. It's that good! So don't hesitate, just give it a try and you'll be hooked too.

This series singlehandedly sparked a love for the game of Go in me that's lasted over a decade so far.

Nostalgia aside, the first volume truly sets the stage beautifully for the adventure that is about to unfold. It vividly shows Hikaru's transformation, from a low-effort punk who initially has little interest in the game to someone who becomes determined to play this complicated game at its highest level.

The story takes the reader on a journey through Hikaru's eyes, allowing us to witness his struggles, his moments of inspiration, and his gradual growth. We see him face challenges that test his resolve and push him to become a better player.

As the series progresses, we become invested in Hikaru's story and root for him every step of the way. The first volume is just the beginning of an exciting adventure that has captured the hearts of many Go enthusiasts and continues to do so to this day.

This starts as what feels like a rather cliché premise: the ghost of an ancient go player inhabits the mind of a school kid who discovers the Go board of (I presume) Honinbo Shusaku. In the initial few chapters, there's a struggle as kids might find the game dull, and the main character, Hikaru, has numerous conflicts with the ghost, Sai.

I have a great affection for the tone of the entire story. It clearly aims to be educational, yet it accomplishes this in a subtle manner, though sacrificing a little on the story-telling front. I'm uncertain if the author was sure of where she wanted to take the narrative. It seems as if she intended to prolong the ghost gimmick, but only after some time did she shift to a more natural development of the Hikaru character. I'm not suggesting that this wasn't her intention for the character; it just gives the impression that she overuses the ghost gimmick (which, if I recall correctly, becomes rather thin towards the end of the story).

I believe the four-star rating is highly subjective. The debut of the series is somewhat weak. While the first book sets up the antagonists of the story (I can't really label them as villains; even antagonist seems too harsh) and some goals that the hero will later address. However, I'm not certain if someone who picks up the first volume without prior knowledge of what it is will be drawn into the story or will simply think it's mediocre and rather uninteresting.

I've always believed that sports stories and manga are the perfect combination for sequential storytelling in this medium. I had the opportunity to explore this in the Shonen Jump anthology, and I was truly amazed by the realistic art style employed by the artist.

The story itself is quite unique as it revolves around a board game. One might have expected it to be dull, but the writer has a brilliant approach. She treats it like a teaching game, as she is also in the process of learning the game herself. This adds an interesting layer to the narrative and makes it engaging for the readers.

I am absolutely certain that I will be closely following this title. I can't wait to see how the story develops and how the characters grow. The combination of the captivating art and the unique story concept has really piqued my interest, and I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this manga.

A young kid finds himself in a rather extraordinary situation when he is possessed by the ghost of an amazing Go player. The ghost, with great insistence, leads the kid to play Go. Naturally, since the ghost is extremely proficient, everyone is astounded as this complete novice, who doesn't even know the basic Go terms and etiquette, somehow appears to be a prodigy.

The story has a slow start, introducing us to the main character, Hikaru, and showing how he and the ghost, named Sai, collaborate as Hikaru gradually begins to learn about the game. As we near the end of this first volume, we start to observe Hikaru developing an interest in Go and desiring to learn more. It's not just to satisfy Sai anymore but also out of his own curiosity.

The creators are careful to ease the readers in, not focusing overly on the actual gameplay but rather on the characters' motivation and behavior. This means that even if you're a complete beginner who doesn't understand Go (like myself), you can still thoroughly enjoy this story. It offers an engaging exploration of the characters and their journey into the world of Go, making it accessible and captivating for a wide range of readers.

Yumi Hotta's Hikaru no Go: Descent of the Go Master (ViZ, 1998) is a remarkable manga that delves into the world of one of the oldest games.

It's truly astonishing how engaging a manga about go can be. The first volume kicks off with a thrilling premise as the spirit of a master Edo-period go player awakens and latches onto Hikaru, a sixth-grade prankster who has no knowledge or interest in go.

As the story progresses, Hikaru discovers an unexpected affinity for the game, even without the ghost's influence. We are introduced to the initial set of characters, get a glimpse of the overall story arc, and for those unfamiliar with go, learn a significant amount about the game.

Personally, having been interested in learning go, I may be inclined to favor this manga, but I firmly believe it's outstanding. It offers a captivating blend of mystery, adventure, and the intricacies of the game, making it a must-read for both manga enthusiasts and those curious about go. ****

A super fun concept - once again, manga had sparked my interest in something that I would have brushed off.

It's truly amazing how a simple manga can have such an impact. The story seems to have a slow start, which is a bit of a drawback for a long series. However, I'm still interested in keeping going.

I just wish the rules were explained better. There are some aspects that are a bit confusing, and I'm hoping that as I read more, it will all become clearer.

Despite the slow start and the lack of clear explanations, I'm enjoying the overall concept. It's like a hidden world that I'm slowly uncovering, and I can't wait to see what else lies ahead.

Although the TW mentions vomit and the suicide (past tense) of a ghost character, it doesn't seem to overshadow the interesting story. I'm curious to see how these elements will play out in the future.

Overall, I'm looking forward to continuing this manga journey and seeing where it takes me.

One of my all-time favorite mangas is Hikaru no Go. In my opinion, it is a textbook for how to write comics for a younger audience, or frankly, any audience.

It is a thorough investigation of a topic, which in this case is the game of Go. The story is interleaved with universally interesting tales of frustrated desires. What's remarkable is that it doesn't rely on fisticuffs or violence to engage the readers.

Instead, it uses the beauty and complexity of the game of Go, along with the emotional struggles and growth of the characters, to create a captivating narrative. The manga manages to make the game of Go accessible and exciting to those who may not be familiar with it, while also delving deep into the strategies and techniques of the game for enthusiasts.

Overall, Hikaru no Go is a masterful work that shows how a well-written comic can educate, entertain, and inspire readers of all ages.

This is an absolutely incredible manga series.

And for that matter, the anime is also quite something - although I must say that for the anime, I would highly recommend the fansubs as the English release is agonizingly bad.

The thing is, this manga really shouldn't be this good. It's all about a bunch of Go-obsessed people. They talk about Go, play Go, and even argue about Go.

And yet, it is the most compelling, involving, and fun manga I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Part of this is due to the amazing characters. Shindou Hikaru, Touya Akira, and Fujiwara-no-Sai are so realistic and interesting. The relationship between Shindou and Touya, well, if you're like me, it can seem very slashy. But regardless of how you view it, it is truly entrancing. The secondary characters are just as engaging.

Moreover, the artwork is simply incredible, especially in the later volumes.

What's more, it has no typical manga elements. There are no battles, just passionate shouting matches over Go games, refusals to play Go games, and playing Go games with the wrong people or in the wrong way. No one levels up, although they do get better at Go. The only really typical manga element is the destined rivalry, and it's between guys playing Go, not ninjas or something else.

Oh, I feel like I'm not doing this justice. And that's because I really can't put into words the joy that Hikaru no Go brings. But it's truly fabulous all the same, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I have watched the anime, and I truly loved it. So far, it has been a loyal adaptation of the manga.

This is, in my opinion, a fantastic series regardless of whether you have an interest in Go or not. Before watching the anime, I had no interest in Go. However, now it has become one of my top 10 favorite anime, and I have developed a great love for the sport. I have finally managed to collect all the manga, and I am eagerly ready to once again enjoy Hikaru's world of Go.

In this first volume, we are introduced to our main characters: Hikaru, Akira, and Sai. I have a great affection for all of them and can't wait to witness their growth once more. Most likely, I will end up rewatching the anime after I have finished reading the manga.

This is a great manga if you wish to know more about Go and actually learn the basics of how to play. By reading this manga, you won't be able to become a professional player, but I think you could become a decent beginner. Not only does it guide you through the basics within the story itself, but there are also Q&A sections that explain basic things, and you get Sai's commentary at the end on how to solve a Go puzzle. I'm not sure if Sai's commentary is present throughout the whole series, but I sincerely hope it is.

Reading this manga and watching the anime really puts me in the mood to play Go. If, like me, you live in the middle of nowhere, there are websites where you can play against people online.

This series will forever be one of my favourite things in the world.

It holds a special place in my heart that words can hardly describe. The nostalgia that envelopes it is so thick that I find it nearly impossible to rate or review it objectively.

Every time I pick up these books, it's like taking a trip down memory lane. The characters and their adventures come alive in my mind, as vivid as if I were experiencing them for the first time.

I never get tired of re-reading it, no matter how many times I've gone through the pages before. Each time, I discover something new, a detail I missed, or a feeling that I hadn't quite grasped before.

This series is not just a collection of books; it's a part of my life, a source of comfort and inspiration. I will always cherish it and look forward to many more re-reads in the future.

Something will never get old. It could be a beautiful piece of art that has endured the test of time, still captivating viewers with its charm and elegance. Or perhaps it's a classic novel that continues to resonate with readers, its themes and characters as relevant today as they were when it was first published.

Love is another thing that never gets old. The feeling of being in love, the excitement of a new relationship, and the deep connection between two people can last a lifetime. Even as we grow older and face the challenges of life, love has the power to keep us young at heart.

Friendship is also timeless. The bonds we form with our friends can withstand the passage of time and the changes that come with it. Whether we've known each other for a few months or a few decades, true friends are always there for us, through thick and thin.

In conclusion, there are many things in life that will never get old. These are the things that bring us joy, meaning, and purpose, and that we cherish throughout our lives.