Boys, pass it on! ⚪️♾️⚫️ This simple yet powerful phrase holds great significance. It encourages us to connect the past with the present and the future.

The past is a treasure trove of experiences, lessons, and traditions. By understanding and learning from it, we can make better decisions in the present. It helps us avoid repeating mistakes and build on the successes of those who came before us.

The present is where we are now, and it is the time to take action. We have the opportunity to create something new, to make a difference, and to shape the future. By being present and engaged, we can use the knowledge and wisdom from the past to create a better tomorrow.

The future is full of possibilities. It is where our dreams and aspirations lie. By passing on the values, knowledge, and traditions from the past, we can ensure that the next generation has a solid foundation to build upon. We can inspire them to reach for the stars and create a future that is even better than the one we have today.

So, boys, let's pass it on! Let's link the past with the present and the future and create a world that is full of hope, love, and opportunity.

This review is for the entire series and will contain some minor spoilers. Any major spoilers will be hidden!

This series is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite manga. It has it all: endearing characters who experience genuine growth, a captivating story, and plenty of suspense (even though it's about a board game!). The art is also top-notch. I can read it repeatedly without getting bored.

The main protagonist, Hikaru, starts off as the typical shonen hero. He's loud, dislikes studying for school, and has no interest in Go. He even has the characteristic hairstyle of a main character.

However, as the story progresses, his character development is so significant that you might not recognize him if you skipped from the first volume to the last. Watching him grow was truly one of the most satisfying aspects of reading this story.

Of course, Hikaru doesn't exist in isolation. There are many characters he meets on his journey, and I won't list my thoughts on all of them. But I do want to mention that I found it realistic that he outgrows some of his old friendships, causing some characters to fade away at certain points.

There are two characters who are almost, if not just as, important as our main character:

Sai no Fujiwara is the first. He's a ghost who teaches Hikaru Go. He's a fascinating character because, over time, you realize he's rather stagnant. He's lovable and entertaining, but his character is fixed. Development is for the living, and watching him come to terms with that is heart-wrenching.

His eventual disappearance was a logical conclusion, even though it was sad. It also led to a great portrayal of grief and probably depression in Hikaru after he realizes what has happened. I think it was the right choice for the story, and it happened at the perfect time.

The second character is Akira Touya, who is more of a deuteragonist than just a rival. As much as I love Hikaru, Akira is probably my favorite character. He's determined, stubborn, disciplined, and incredibly talented, yet also polite and kind. He's a good person with a very bad fashion sense (which I like to blame on Hikaru!).

He's a major driving force behind Hikaru's desire to become better. He's the second pillar in Hikaru's life after Sai. Their relationship is excellent because it defies so many main character/rival tropes. They don't hate each other at all. Their fights are never so serious that they don't show up for the next practice game. They actually want each other to improve and become better together. After finishing the story, I could easily believe that these two will be in each other's lives forever.

As for the ending, I liked it. It once again defies the typical shonen series formula, where everything is dragged out and then ends with the main character's greatest triumph and adoration from all around.

I wasn't at all unsatisfied, as I might have been with an open ending if the story had been different, because I could easily envision at least five ways the story could continue.

Overall, it's a great story that I re-read at least once a year. And no, I still have only a very basic understanding of Go. You don't need to know much about the game to enjoy the story at all!

"To play chess with me"

15 The most difficult thing to keep in the world

17 "If only I could smile", the memorable smiling face

In life, there are many things that we strive for. Sometimes, it's just a simple desire like playing chess with someone special. However, as time passes, we often find that the most precious things are the hardest to hold onto. Just like the beautiful smile that once brought us so much joy and warmth. We may look back on it with nostalgia, thinking that if only we could see that smile again, everything would be better. But unfortunately, time waits for no one, and those moments have passed. Nevertheless, we can still cherish the memories and let them inspire us to move forward, always remembering the importance of those we love and the things that make us happy.

The series presents an interesting concept known as the "divine move" that the character Sai is in pursuit of.

However, the story takes a disappointing turn when they abandon Sai as he is a ghost/spirit, and the divine move is never accomplished.

Moreover, Shindo fails to win the final crucial match in the volume.

It seems as if the authors simply lost interest in their manga and decided to label volume 23 as the final one, when in reality, it was just the last volume published.

The rivalry between Shindo and Toya, which was the driving force behind the latter half of the series, also fizzles out and becomes lackluster.

Although they easily become friends, the authors choose not to showcase or even resolve their second-round match.

The manga remains unresolved, leaving a lot to be desired.

Even with the final scenes of the last volume, which present insei who admire both Toya and Shindo, this idea doesn't work because Shindo has nothing to show for his struggles, not even the divine move.

As a result, the two insei become dull and rather irritating, especially when the reader is more interested in what Shindo should be achieving.

Furthermore, Shindo's promise to one day tell Toya about Sai is not fulfilled in the last volume of the manga.

Overall, the ending is sloppy and cannot be considered open-ended as none of the impending questions are resolved, which ultimately harms the plot and the overall conclusion of the story.

Turns out I'm just as obsessed with this series as I was 15 years ago

Well... that could have been better.

It seems that the situation didn't turn out as expected. There were perhaps some missed opportunities or areas where improvements could have been made.

Maybe more attention to detail was required, or a different approach could have been taken. It's important to analyze what went wrong and learn from it.

This way, in the future, similar situations can be handled more effectively, and the outcome can be enhanced.

Although this particular instance didn't reach the desired level of success, it serves as a valuable lesson for growth and development.

We should not be discouraged but rather use this experience to strive for better results in the future.

Remember, every setback is an opportunity to learn and improve.

So, let's look at this situation objectively and figure out how we can do better next time.

With determination and a willingness to learn, we can overcome challenges and achieve greater success.

I initiated this series several years ago and only recently revisited it.

To be honest, I had a great deal of enjoyment while going through it. However, the conclusion was truly dreadful.

It's like Shaman King all over again. :((( There are far too many questions that remain unanswered.

This really disappoints me as I was hoping for a more satisfying resolution.

The story had so much potential, but it seems that the author failed to tie up all the loose ends.

It makes me wonder if there will ever be a proper conclusion or if I'll have to live with the ambiguity.

Nonetheless, I still appreciate the overall concept and the journey that the series took me on.

Maybe one day, there will be a sequel or a revised edition that will address all the lingering questions and give this series the ending it deserves.

Until then, I'll just have to hold on to the memories of the good parts and hope for the best.

This story is like comfort food for me.

I just can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is that keeps me constantly rereading and rewatching both this and the anime.

However, my interest in Go definitely plays a significant role.

There's something about the game that draws me in and makes me want to explore more.

Moreover, I really like that it's a generally positive story about the journey of getting good at something.

It shows the determination, hard work, and growth that comes with striving to master a particular skill.

It's inspiring and makes me believe that with enough effort, I too can achieve great things in whatever I set my mind to.

Whether it's in the world of Go or in other aspects of life, this story gives me the motivation and encouragement I need to keep going.

It's a source of comfort and inspiration that I will always cherish.

Disappointing. It truly felt as if they had exhausted all their ideas and stretched the story far beyond its natural conclusion.

Simultaneously, on numerous levels, it presents a very dissatisfying ending. We are left completely in the dark about how Akari, Touya's father, or any of the other secondary characters are faring.

Moreover, the grand final battle concludes on a rather downbeat note, and even the bonus chapters seem to do little to alleviate the bitterness that lingers.

It's a real letdown considering the potential that the story had earlier on. One can't help but feel a sense of frustration and disappointment with how it all wrapped up.

I've completed several other manga series, and I was eagerly anticipating the conclusion of this one. However, I must admit that it doesn't quite measure up.

The Hokuto Cup storyline has been truly captivating, and as the finale of that particular arc, this volume is acceptable. But as the end of the entire manga? It falls short. It offers more promise than it can deliver.

The ending is abrupt, leaving numerous loose ends. Perhaps Hikaru will disclose Sai's existence to someone someday, but we'll never witness it. Maybe the other players and the public will regard him more seriously after this, but again, we won't get to see it. It's rather unsatisfactory.

Nevertheless, this volume features a bonus story that alleviates this to some extent. It not only hints at the ongoing rivalry between Hikaru and Akira but also, by presenting the two inseis, gives us a glimpse into the future of go in Japan. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad this short story was included.

Overall, while the ending of the main manga may be lacking, the bonus story provides a glimmer of hope and an interesting perspective on the go world.

This series is really amazing, outstanding in every aspect. However, who has the courage to give such a disappointing ending? Please continue writing. Otherwise, it will be like "an elephant with a mouse's tail."

Nevertheless, I still rate it 5* because of all the excellent qualities that the series has.

Despite the letdown in the ending, the overall performance of this series is remarkable. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the production values are high.

I truly hope that the author will consider continuing the story or providing a more satisfying conclusion in the future. It would be a shame to leave such a great series unfinished.

Overall, this series is definitely worth watching and enjoying, even with its flaws. I look forward to seeing more from the author in the future.