Huh? A new character?

Hmm.... a bit more story would be nice.

It's always exciting when a new character enters the scene. But just having a new face isn't enough. We need to know more about them, their background, their motives.

Maybe they have a mysterious past that will gradually be revealed as the story unfolds. Or perhaps they have a unique set of skills or abilities that will play a crucial role in the plot.

Adding more story to the new character will make them more engaging and relatable to the readers. It will give us a reason to care about what happens to them and keep us turning the pages.

So, let's hope that the author doesn't just introduce the new character and leave it at that. Let's look forward to a rich and detailed story that will bring this new character to life.

Hikaru and his peers are engaged in a fierce competition to qualify for the Hokuto Cup along with Akira Toya.

This means that the best of the young professional players are going all out. There isn't really a great deal to elaborate on here.

It's essentially a mini tournament arc that serves as a qualifier for what will be the next tournament arc, I suppose.

However, it's still quite good. The new characters are rather cocky, which adds an element of confusion to the mix, especially when combined with all these other characters that we've become familiar with throughout the series.

Their presence shakes things up and makes the competition even more intense and unpredictable.

It will be interesting to see how Hikaru and the others fare in this challenging qualifying stage.

Will they be able to overcome the new opponents and secure their spots in the Hokuto Cup? Only time will tell.

A continuation of the final arc, this is truly a sign of great storytelling. The way the plot unfolds and the characters develop is captivating. However, it did feel a bit drawn out at times. There were moments when it seemed as if the story could have been condensed into a more concise form. Almost as if it could have been presented in just 2 volumes instead of the current length. But despite this minor drawback, the overall quality of the story remains high. The author has managed to create a world and characters that are engaging and memorable. The final arc is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they await the conclusion.

Hikaru no Go has reached a bit of a slump for me. The prelims to determine who will compete in the tournament are so intense that there is very little room for error in getting the spots. It makes the whole situation rather nerve-wracking.

There is one standout game in this volume. Hikaru has to play against someone who employs unconventional tactics. This brings an element of surprise and excitement to the story. It's interesting to see how Hikaru will handle this unexpected challenge.

Other than that, it is a standard affair with a slow pacing that doesn't really pay off. The story seems to be dragging at times, and I find myself losing a bit of interest. However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Hotta's characters still keep me motivated to read this series through to the end. Even with the absence of Sai, the other characters are so well-developed and engaging that I can't help but want to see how their stories unfold.

The story presented a pair of fresh players, each boasting their own unique and inimitable tics. Essentially, they were new and rather strange individuals in this narrative.

To be honest, the story has begun to show signs of dragging on a bit. However, despite this, it remains fascinating to witness Hikaru's development and how he is gradually realizing his potential.

As the plot unfolds, we get to observe the idiosyncrasies of these new players, which add an element of novelty and intrigue. Meanwhile, Hikaru's journey of growth serves as a central focus, keeping the readers engaged and eager to see what lies ahead for him.

Overall, although the story may have its moments of sluggishness, the introduction of these new characters and the progress of Hikaru make it a worthwhile read.

This story is like a warm and delicious comfort food for me.

I find myself constantly drawn back to reread or rewatch it, along with the anime.

Although I can't precisely pinpoint what exactly it is that holds my attention so firmly, my interest in the game of Go undoubtedly plays a significant role.

There's something truly captivating about the strategic and intellectual aspects of Go that seem to intertwine with the narrative of this story.

Moreover, I really appreciate that it presents a generally positive and inspiring tale about the journey of getting good at something.

It shows the hard work, dedication, and perseverance required to master a skill, and it leaves me feeling motivated and uplifted.

This story has become a source of comfort and inspiration for me, and I know I'll continue to return to it time and time again.

"Play good moves only ⚪️⚫️" is a simple yet profound statement. In the game of life, just like in a game of Go or chess, every move we make matters. We should strive to make only those moves that are good and beneficial.

This means thinking carefully before taking any action, considering the consequences and potential outcomes. It requires us to be strategic and discerning, choosing the path that leads to success and growth.

When we focus on playing good moves only, we are more likely to achieve our goals and create a fulfilling life. We avoid making hasty or ill-advised decisions that could lead to setbacks or regrets.

Let us always remember this principle and apply it in our daily lives. By playing good moves only, we can navigate through the challenges and opportunities with confidence and grace, and emerge victorious in the game of life. ⚪️⚫️

The addition of another Really Strong Player was a little sudden.

However, it was understandable. The reason being that I really wouldn't have wanted Oshi to play in the international tournament, and Isumi wasn't available.

When it comes to Waya, he simply wouldn't have been a good fit with Touya Akira and Hikaru.

Nonetheless, this whole situation was still a lot of fun and exciting.

It added an element of unpredictability to the mix, which always makes things more interesting.

Who knows what will happen next with this new addition?

It could potentially change the dynamics of the team and the outcome of the tournament.

Only time will tell, but for now, we can all enjoy the ride and see where this new development takes us.

Things are getting extremely hyped up right now!

We haven't witnessed a great deal of Yashiro's personality aside from when he is playing Go. However, I have a liking for him. Initially, upon seeing the cover, I had the impression that he would resemble Tetsuo, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. It's quite interesting to observe how our first impressions can sometimes be misleading. As the story progresses, I'm looking forward to uncovering more of Yashiro's true nature and seeing how his character develops. Maybe there are hidden aspects of his personality that will surprise us all. Only time will tell, but for now, I'm enjoying this journey of discovery with Yashiro and the other characters in this story.

Hikaru concludes his game with Kadowaki, emerging victorious. Kadowaki concedes that Hikaru is talented but believes Hikaru was even better the last time they played. He is taken aback when Hikaru readily agrees. A new character, Kiyoharu Yashiro from the Kansai Go Association, is then introduced.

He engages in wild and risky Go, starting from the middle (tengen) in one of his games. Hikaru takes on Morishita (his teacher in study sessions), and Akira faces Ogata (his father's student), resulting in two highly emotional matches. Both Akira and Hikaru suffer defeats, yet they prove themselves as players worthy of attention. Subsequently, it's time for the Hokuto Cup qualifiers. In the second round, Hikaru competes against Yashiro in a game filled with bold and unexpected maneuvers.

This volume was enjoyable. However, it was a bit disjointed, and I truly have no idea what the characters are striving for anymore. Even Hotta acknowledges that the schedules and tournaments of professional players are perplexing and intricate. I find it more beneficial to focus on individual matches and their results rather than attempting to understand the overall picture. One thing I am certain of is that the Hokuto Cup qualifier determines who will be part of the Japanese team in the significant Japan-China-Korea tournament.

The game between Yashiro and Hikaru is thrilling, although I suspect it is unrealistically rash.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

I'm truly beginning to have a deep sense of missing Sai. He was such a delight to behold. Just looking at him brought a smile to my face. And his interaction and dynamic with Hikaru were always so entertaining and full of life. They had a special bond that was a joy to witness.

Now, however, I can't help but feel that Hikaru has become an isolated loner. Ever since his most profound and developed friendship with Sai has vanished, he seems to be adrift. It's as if a part of his soul has been taken away.

I am also still not able to get over the abrupt disappearance of Sai. It felt so sudden and unexpected. It occurred at a point in the story that seemed illogical and out of place. It left me with a sense of dissatisfaction and longing for more. I keep wondering how things could have been different if Sai had not left so suddenly.

Pretty great board game manga!

I really liked the story. It was engaging and full of excitement. The characters were well-developed and their interactions added depth to the plot.

The art was really nice too. The illustrations were detailed and colorful, bringing the board game world to life. The artist did a great job of capturing the essence of each scene and character.

Overall, this manga is a must-read for any board game enthusiast or manga lover. It combines the best of both worlds and provides an entertaining and immersive experience. I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us!