Hikaru no Go has unfortunately lost a crucial central element, Sai. However, Volume 16 shows that the series can still carry on without him, albeit in a significantly different way. Hikaru, now without any motivation, has completely abandoned the go world. Instead, this volume mainly focuses on Shinichiro Isumi as he studies go in China. The "Chinese Go Association" arc has chosen a strong secondary character to center around. After the initial chapters, I was compelled to keep reading about Isumi's difficulties following his failure in the pro test. The cast in China is quite decent, but considering their one-volume appearance, it's hard to become overly interested in them.

Admittedly, I found it challenging to fully concentrate on each chapter as the loss of Sai is still deeply felt, just like it is for Hikaru who is now aimless. Nevertheless, the expansion of Isumi's character and the go world in general makes Hikaru no Go still worthy of continued reading. I would rate it 3.5 stars.

Overall, while the absence of Sai is a big blow, the series manages to find new directions and characters to explore, keeping the story engaging and interesting for fans.

With Hikaru in a funk from the disappearance of Sai, the story takes an interesting turn. It now focuses on Isumi and his journey to the Chinese Go Association.

This plot development serves mostly as an excuse to share Yumi Hotta's fascinating observations of Chinese go. However, these observations are more than enough to keep the readers engaged.

Isumi's experiences in China add a new dimension to the story. We get to see how the Chinese approach the game of go, which is different from the Japanese style.

The description of the Chinese Go Association and the players there is vivid and detailed. It gives us a glimpse into the world of professional go in China.

Overall, this part of the story is not only interesting but also educational. It broadens our understanding of the game of go and its different cultures.

A good story indeed!

Bringing back a side character was an excellent idea. It added a new layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

The return of this character not only brought back memories and emotions from previous storylines but also opened up new possibilities for future developments.

It created opportunities for interesting interactions and relationships to form or evolve.

The readers or viewers were likely to be intrigued and engaged by the unexpected appearance of this familiar face.

It gave the story a fresh perspective and kept them on the edge of their seats, eager to see how this character would impact the overall plot.

Overall, the decision to bring back a side character was a brilliant move that enhanced the quality and enjoyment of the story.

It shows the creativity and skill of the writer or director in crafting a captivating and dynamic narrative.

This volume didn't grip me as tightly as some of the others. We seem to be in a bit of a lull in the story, which is a bit of a letdown.

However, there were still some亮点. I really enjoyed seeing Isumi's progress. He's come a long way, and it's been interesting to watch his development.

And that last scene, between him and Hikaru? Oh my gosh, it was heart-wrenching. It was like heartbreak was written right on the page. It probably hit me more emotionally than the entire last volume.

I'm hoping that the story will pick up again in the next volume and bring back the excitement and drama that I've come to love.

Pretty great board game manga!

I really liked the story. It was engaging and full of interesting twists and turns. The characters were well-developed and had their own unique personalities.

The art was really nice too. The illustrations were detailed and colorful, which added to the overall atmosphere of the manga. The board game elements were also incorporated very well into the story, making it both entertaining and educational.

Overall, I would highly recommend this board game manga to anyone who enjoys reading manga or playing board games. It's a great combination of both and is sure to provide hours of entertainment.

This is the part where everything is made up and the points don't matter.

It's a world filled with SADNESS.

The stories told here are just fabrications, yet they carry a weight of melancholy.

Maybe it's because in this fictional realm, we can explore the depths of our emotions without consequence.

The characters we create experience heartbreak, loss, and disappointment, mirroring the hardships we face in real life.

But even though it's all make-believe, the SADNESS feels so real.

It seeps into our souls and makes us question the meaning of it all.

In this strange and sorrowful place, we find a strange kind of solace.

For in the midst of the SADNESS, we realize that we are not alone in our feelings.

Others have walked this path before us, and perhaps, together, we can find a way to rise above the darkness.

Isumi is a character that I regarded in a different light this time around, distinct from all the other occasions when I've perused this series.

According to the author, Isumi is the one who is "furthest from Sai". Interestingly, he is also the favorite character among actual professional Go players. I believe I have finally grasped the reason behind this. As an adult, I find that I can identify with Isumi the most as well. Isumi has never truly had to engage in combat with anyone other than himself. This, I think, holds true for the adult lives of most people. It stands in contrast to something as highly dramatic as the rivalry between Hikaru and Akira, or perhaps I should say, their love story.

As we grow up, we often face internal struggles and battles within ourselves. We strive to overcome our own limitations, fears, and insecurities. Isumi's journey represents this aspect of our lives, making him a relatable and endearing character. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the greatest challenges we face are the ones within us.

Yumi Hotta's "Hikaru no Go," volume 16, titled "The Chinese Go Association" (published by ViZ in 2010), presents an interesting turn of events.

After Hikaru vows to retire until Sai returns, Hotta shifts the focus to Shinichiro Isumi. Isumi, who took the pro test with Hikaru and friends last year, unfortunately got flustered and lost three consecutive games, leading to his elimination.

During a trip to China, Isumi visits the Go Association. There, he engages in a pickup match with a pre-teen named Zhao and is soundly defeated. Determined to improve, Isumi vows to stay in China and become good enough to at least beat the children. However, he then discovers that Zhao is one of the top players in China! If he can manage to defeat Zhao, he might have a real chance in this year's pro test.

The series continues to be as excellent as ever, and it's refreshing to see the spotlight shine on a previously minor character for a while. And let's not forget to give bonus points for Isumi's Richard Kern T-shirt! Overall, it's a great addition to the "Hikaru no Go" series. *** ½

Ikakaku-san has returned! That's great!

This character really interests me and I wanted to see it again. Yay! I'm so happy!

But why is everything in katakana? Again? It's hard to read!

Maybe there is a specific reason for using all katakana. It could be to give a certain emphasis or to create a particular style. However, from a reader's perspective, it can be a bit challenging.

I hope that in the future, if possible, there could be a better balance or some additional explanations to make it easier to understand.

Overall, I'm still excited about the return of Ikakaku-san, despite the difficulty in reading the text in all katakana.

The quality of the drawings is truly *chef’s kiss*.

It is simply remarkable how well-crafted these drawings are. Each line, each stroke seems to be placed with utmost precision and care. The details are so fine that they draw you in and make you appreciate the artistry involved.

Whether it's the shading that gives a three-dimensional effect or the use of colors that create a vivid and engaging scene, every aspect of these drawings is a masterpiece.

The artist has truly outdone themselves and it shows in the final product. It's no wonder that the quality of these drawings is receiving such high praise.

They are not just drawings, but works of art that deserve to be admired and studied.

Agh! The volumes just keep getting better and better!

It was truly a delight to see Isumi again after such a long time away. His presence added a new layer of depth and charm to the story.

Having a volume centered on him was an absolute treat. We got to explore his character more fully, learn about his past, and see his growth and development.

But the last chapter! Oh, the last chapter had me tearing up. It was so emotional and heart-wrenching. The way the story unfolded, the relationships that were tested, and the sacrifices that were made - it all came together to create a truly unforgettable moment.

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

I just didn’t enjoy this one as much. Maybe it was because of the plot that didn't quite grip me from the start. Or perhaps the characters didn't seem as vivid and engaging as I had hoped. There was something lacking in this particular experience that made it fall short of my expectations. I found myself constantly waiting for something more exciting to happen, but it never really did. The pacing felt a bit off, and it made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Despite trying my best to give it a chance, I just couldn't seem to find the enjoyment that I usually do in similar works. It's a shame really, because I had high hopes for this one. But unfortunately, it just didn't quite deliver.