Hikaru no Go
By: Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi
Genre: Gaming/School Boy/ Fantasy
Rating: G, depends on interest in the game
Length: 75 Episodes
Year released: 2001
Reviewing: 75 Episodes
Overall Rating: 92.5%
"Destiny has chosen me to play the game." - Shindou Hikaru


Reviewer: Chibiwonton

Synopsis
Young 6th grade Shindou Hikaru never even laid a finger on the ancient game Go. Until the fated day when he found a blood stained Goban (the table used to play Go) in his Grandpa's attic, a ghostly figure, Fujiwara no Sai, was revealed and integrates into his body. Sai happened to be a professional Go player during the Heian period about a thousand years ago. Because of his tragic death, his soul and spirit remained in this world to help him fulfil his final wish: to become closer to the "kami no itte" (hands of god). With the help of this air-headed, careless Go rookie, their journey to reach their goal has already taken the initial step...

Story/Plot: 9
At first when I noticed this anime, I wondered how in the world can they make an anime about Go that drags 75 episodes long? By the time I finished this anime, I was screaming this anime is TOO SHORT!!! I couldn't believe the intensity that they were able to bring in an anime that talks ONLY about an ancient chess-styled game. Awareness of the gameplay was completely unneccessary, but even if you are completely clueless about the game, this anime can still make you hang on the edge of your seat. Aside from the game playing, there is also many side storylines such as Hikaru and Sai's friendship or the struggle to become the better player. I guarantee that anyone who finished watching the first couple of episodes would go to the Yahoo Games and start learning how to play Go.

Characters: 9
Although there are a whole lot of characters thrown into this series, the development of Hikaru, Sai, and Akira are definitely there. You can actually see the transformation of Hikaru from the first episode to the very last episode, as if he was two completely different person. But the amazing thing is, you're so absorbed with their great personalities that you barely notice the massive change! Character designs are fabulous and original, nothing too fancy, perfect for the anime.

Art: 10
The art is very detailed and beautifully done. Even if you're not interested in the game, you can still get away with just looking at the bishounens!! *winks* The art is quite consistent throughout this lengthy anime. The thing that amazes me the most is the huge change of Hikaru and Akira's height and facial features at the end! The artist throws in tiny changes in each episode that there's no way I can tell when Hikaru and Akira actually started on their growth spurt. The artbooks are also very impressive too. Although it is mostly the manga version of the characters, but still each picture in the artwork is drawn beautifully and very detailed. The coloring is absolutely amazing, especially the backgrounds. Nice and high-quality artwork!

Music: 9
I really adore their OSTs. They have such great music for their tournaments and important games, although it sounds like they are fighting a war rather than playing a simple game of go. The opening themes are very catching and the ending themes are stunning. There isn't a song in Hikaru no Go that would disappoint you. I specially reccomend the second opening "I'll be the One" and the third ending "Sincerely Ever Dream" if you are looking for good songs.