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阿光終於踏上了高手雲集的職業棋士之路，他即將面對的第一個舞台，就是出道前新人要跟頂尖棋士對弈的新初段系列賽。阿亮的父親·塔矢行洋名人竟然指定阿光當他的對手…？
189 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
17 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Yumi Hotta
103 books100 followersYumi Hotta (堀田 由美 Hotta Yumi, most often written as ほった ゆみ) is a Japanese mangaka, best known as the author of the best-selling manga and anime series Hikaru no Go, about the game of go that is widely credited for the recent boom of the game in Japan. The idea behind Hikaru no Go began when Yumi Hotta played a pick-up game of go with her father-in-law. She thought that it might be fun to create a manga based on this traditional board game, and began the work under the title of Nine Stars (九つの星 Kokonotsu no Hoshi), named for the nine "star points" on a go board. She later worked with Takeshi Obata (the illustrator) and Yukari Umezawa (5-Dan, the supervisor) in the creation of Hikaru no Go. She won the 2000 Shogakukan Manga Award and the 2003 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for Hikaru no Go.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 5, 2024
Now that I'm re-reading this series, this volume offers more foreshadowing of Sai's final fate. This volume also introduced one of my favorite characters from this series, Kurata! He's a professional go player who talks big, plays big, and eats big. He's basically an all-around great guy.
This was another solid volume. This series always almost never disappoints. I'm glad I collected this in physical copies because it is a re-readable series.
This was another solid volume. This series always almost never disappoints. I'm glad I collected this in physical copies because it is a re-readable series.
January 30, 2022
Hikaru has his first game as a professional Go player. He lets Sai play against Toya Meijin but with an imaginative handicap of 15 instead of 5 1/2 so that Sai won't utterly destroy Meijin. At last he had to resign. But Kuwabara Honin'bo and Toya Meijin both realised that Hikaru played with a handicap. Kuwabara even put some money on Hikaru's victory with Ogata 9-dan.
Hikaru tries to cheer Sai up by bringing him to an amateur Go festival there he meets other too-confident Pros Kurata and Gokiso.
Sure it's not the last we'll see of them.
Hikaru tries to cheer Sai up by bringing him to an amateur Go festival there he meets other too-confident Pros Kurata and Gokiso.
Sure it's not the last we'll see of them.
January 23, 2012
Now that Hikaru is a professional go player (at age 14) where is the story going to go? Well, obviously the series is building up to the big confrontation between Hikaru and Akira Toya, but as with so many of the games in this series, we see intermediate proxy fights in which Hotta has to come up with a new twist. In volume 12, she has Hikaru playing in the "Shinsodan" series, which pits rookie go professionals against the top veterans. And Akira's father, Toya Meijin, requests Hikaru as his opponent.
Sai, Hikaru's poor ghostly sidekick, has been wanting to play Toya Meijin since they first met. At this point it's hard to know whether to feel more sorry for him, who is stuck haunting a 14-year-old, or Hikaru, who now wants to play for his own development but has a ghost begging him to let him play. Of course if Hikaru lets Sai play against Toya, everyone will see he's playing at a level far above what he's demonstrated previously, which will raise awkward questions and set unreasonable expectations for Hikaru in future games. So how can he let Sai have his wish and not screw himself over? It's a nice bit of character drama which Hotta resolves with yet another bit of go trickery.
The "B" plot in this volume is Hikaru and Sai going to a go festival and meeting an unscrupulous professional and a shady vendor selling cheap go boards fraudulently marked up as valuable antiques. The only purpose to this subplot seemed to be to give Sai something else to do, and to introduce a new character. So, I am knocking this installment down a star for a rather mediocre side plot.
I'm about halfway through the series now. Sooner or later Hikaru and Akira have to have their ultimate showdown, and Sai has to play a "real" game against Toya Meijin. I am guessing that will happen around the series climax, so this is the point where I wonder if Hotta will pull off some brilliant new storylines to maintain the intensity of the series until then, or if we're going to get 12 volumes of "filler." Although even the filler is readable enough so far.
And I am still feeling inspired to improve my own go game.
Sai, Hikaru's poor ghostly sidekick, has been wanting to play Toya Meijin since they first met. At this point it's hard to know whether to feel more sorry for him, who is stuck haunting a 14-year-old, or Hikaru, who now wants to play for his own development but has a ghost begging him to let him play. Of course if Hikaru lets Sai play against Toya, everyone will see he's playing at a level far above what he's demonstrated previously, which will raise awkward questions and set unreasonable expectations for Hikaru in future games. So how can he let Sai have his wish and not screw himself over? It's a nice bit of character drama which Hotta resolves with yet another bit of go trickery.
The "B" plot in this volume is Hikaru and Sai going to a go festival and meeting an unscrupulous professional and a shady vendor selling cheap go boards fraudulently marked up as valuable antiques. The only purpose to this subplot seemed to be to give Sai something else to do, and to introduce a new character. So, I am knocking this installment down a star for a rather mediocre side plot.
I'm about halfway through the series now. Sooner or later Hikaru and Akira have to have their ultimate showdown, and Sai has to play a "real" game against Toya Meijin. I am guessing that will happen around the series climax, so this is the point where I wonder if Hotta will pull off some brilliant new storylines to maintain the intensity of the series until then, or if we're going to get 12 volumes of "filler." Although even the filler is readable enough so far.
And I am still feeling inspired to improve my own go game.
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February 12, 2020I think this might be my favorite volume so far. The tension between Sai and Hikaru was interesting and I really liked how Hikaru tried to cheer him up.
July 3, 2021
For being a pro, Hikaru Shindo knows very little of the Go World – it really shocked the patrons of his favorite Go Salon. With their help, they provided Shindo with old copies of Go Weekly – a newspaper dedicated to the Go World. In which, Shindo and Sai devoured.
Shindo's very first game as a Pro is his Shinshodan Series against Toya Meijin, who Sai wanted to play with a vengeance. Up till now, Sai has only played Shindo, but he wants to play a game with Toya Meijin, who is considered the best Go Player in the world. However, allowing Sai to play through him would complicate Shindo's life. He can't have supreme skill one day and the next back to ordinary self – it would be difficult to explain.
On the very day of the game, Shindo agreed to let Sai play the Meijin, but at a severe handicap, which Sai agreed to. With the severe handicap, Sai lost badly, but the Meijin knew what was happening, and although he doesn't know why Shindo would play with a severe handicap, he couldn't wait to play him in an even game one day. That night, they both agree that Sai won't take any games away from Shindo, but if he could choose to play anyone it would be the Meijin.
To cheer Sai up, Shindo took his ghost to an Amateur Go Festival. While there, Sai through Shindo prevents an unscrupulous Go Pro in selling cheap goban for the expensive type. They also prevented the selling of a goban with a forgery of Shusaku signature, because Sai's previous vessel was him and he knows his calligraphy.
We also met Atsushi Kurata at the festival. Kurata is a rising pro who shows promise that is one generation above Shindo and Toya Akira. Shindo didn't make a great impression to the older pro, but their interaction was quite humorous.
All in all, I really love reading this tankobon. It illustrates a new conflict between Shindo and Sai. Now that Shindo is a Pro, it would be difficult to let Sai play go with anyone else, but him. It's an interesting new dynamic, as Shindo grows stronger the less he needs to depend on Sai. I'm curious as how this relationship would continue.
Shindo's very first game as a Pro is his Shinshodan Series against Toya Meijin, who Sai wanted to play with a vengeance. Up till now, Sai has only played Shindo, but he wants to play a game with Toya Meijin, who is considered the best Go Player in the world. However, allowing Sai to play through him would complicate Shindo's life. He can't have supreme skill one day and the next back to ordinary self – it would be difficult to explain.
On the very day of the game, Shindo agreed to let Sai play the Meijin, but at a severe handicap, which Sai agreed to. With the severe handicap, Sai lost badly, but the Meijin knew what was happening, and although he doesn't know why Shindo would play with a severe handicap, he couldn't wait to play him in an even game one day. That night, they both agree that Sai won't take any games away from Shindo, but if he could choose to play anyone it would be the Meijin.
To cheer Sai up, Shindo took his ghost to an Amateur Go Festival. While there, Sai through Shindo prevents an unscrupulous Go Pro in selling cheap goban for the expensive type. They also prevented the selling of a goban with a forgery of Shusaku signature, because Sai's previous vessel was him and he knows his calligraphy.
We also met Atsushi Kurata at the festival. Kurata is a rising pro who shows promise that is one generation above Shindo and Toya Akira. Shindo didn't make a great impression to the older pro, but their interaction was quite humorous.
All in all, I really love reading this tankobon. It illustrates a new conflict between Shindo and Sai. Now that Shindo is a Pro, it would be difficult to let Sai play go with anyone else, but him. It's an interesting new dynamic, as Shindo grows stronger the less he needs to depend on Sai. I'm curious as how this relationship would continue.
August 31, 2015
This story is comfort food for me. I can't quite put my finger on what keeps me rereading/rewatching this and the anime, but my interest in Go certainly helps. I also like that it's a generally positive story about getting good at something
September 10, 2025
4.5/5 (Review is for the series as a whole and does not contain spoilers)
12-year-old Hikaru finds an old Go board in his grandfather’s attic and accidentally frees the ghost spirit of a young Go teacher from medieval Japan, named Fujiwara-no-Sai. Sai has a strong passion for Go and wants to achieve the “Divine Move,” but unfortunately for him, Hikaru knows nothing about Go and has little interest in learning the game. When Sai finally convinces Hikaru to play, they defeat fellow middle school student, Akira, who has been training relentlessly with his father, Go master Toya Meijin. Akira, who is good enough to go pro, is shocked at his defeat and declares that Hikaru is his rival. This rivalry sparks a passion in Hikaru, who decides to learn the game and soon becomes a good enough player in his own right.
This series is appropriate for the middle grade age group, and may inspire readers to want to learn how to play the game of Go. The author consulted with actual Go players to make the manga moves more authentic, and throughout the series there are tidbits and instructions on how to play and resources for learning more about the game. In addition, this series teaches valuable lessons about friendship and explores some of the challenges in coming-of-age, especially as we grow up and move away from some people. This series is also likely to appeal to fans of sports manga, as it features similar story telling devices, and works to build tension in the Go games that the players play. Overall, this series is a fun, low stakes story that makes me want to learn a bit more about the game of Go.
12-year-old Hikaru finds an old Go board in his grandfather’s attic and accidentally frees the ghost spirit of a young Go teacher from medieval Japan, named Fujiwara-no-Sai. Sai has a strong passion for Go and wants to achieve the “Divine Move,” but unfortunately for him, Hikaru knows nothing about Go and has little interest in learning the game. When Sai finally convinces Hikaru to play, they defeat fellow middle school student, Akira, who has been training relentlessly with his father, Go master Toya Meijin. Akira, who is good enough to go pro, is shocked at his defeat and declares that Hikaru is his rival. This rivalry sparks a passion in Hikaru, who decides to learn the game and soon becomes a good enough player in his own right.
This series is appropriate for the middle grade age group, and may inspire readers to want to learn how to play the game of Go. The author consulted with actual Go players to make the manga moves more authentic, and throughout the series there are tidbits and instructions on how to play and resources for learning more about the game. In addition, this series teaches valuable lessons about friendship and explores some of the challenges in coming-of-age, especially as we grow up and move away from some people. This series is also likely to appeal to fans of sports manga, as it features similar story telling devices, and works to build tension in the Go games that the players play. Overall, this series is a fun, low stakes story that makes me want to learn a bit more about the game of Go.
May 12, 2022
Once Again, A Great Volume!
by Barbara Kelley
In this episode, Toya Meijin requests that Hikaru play him in the Shinshodan game, where a high ranking professional plays a new pro. In a previous volume, Akira Toya played Oza Zama. Anyway, Sai begged Hikaru to let HIM play the Meijin instead of Hikaru. It will be quite interesting when you read what happened. Meanwhile, in the room where several people were watching the game between Toya Meijin and Hikaru, Kuwabara Sensei bet Ogata the the "brat" would win. In the Funimation anime version, Kuwabara called Hikaru "the kid". I preferred the anime version. Ochi, Waya, Akira, as well as some journalists, were also in that room watching the game. Next, there was the scene where a shifty salesman and s shifty old pro were trying to sell fake Kaya boards as real Kaya boards, and were trying to sell a board that they said belonged to Shusaku Honinbo, a great Go player from over 200 years ago. Sai recognized that the signature on that Go board was a fake. This is an excellent series. This episode also introduces the reader to Kurta 6 Dan. (Remember, Dan is pronounced as Don in Japan.) I will read Volume 13 next. I have already purchased all 23 volumes, so I can just binge read them. I gave this volume 5 big fat stars!
by Barbara Kelley
In this episode, Toya Meijin requests that Hikaru play him in the Shinshodan game, where a high ranking professional plays a new pro. In a previous volume, Akira Toya played Oza Zama. Anyway, Sai begged Hikaru to let HIM play the Meijin instead of Hikaru. It will be quite interesting when you read what happened. Meanwhile, in the room where several people were watching the game between Toya Meijin and Hikaru, Kuwabara Sensei bet Ogata the the "brat" would win. In the Funimation anime version, Kuwabara called Hikaru "the kid". I preferred the anime version. Ochi, Waya, Akira, as well as some journalists, were also in that room watching the game. Next, there was the scene where a shifty salesman and s shifty old pro were trying to sell fake Kaya boards as real Kaya boards, and were trying to sell a board that they said belonged to Shusaku Honinbo, a great Go player from over 200 years ago. Sai recognized that the signature on that Go board was a fake. This is an excellent series. This episode also introduces the reader to Kurta 6 Dan. (Remember, Dan is pronounced as Don in Japan.) I will read Volume 13 next. I have already purchased all 23 volumes, so I can just binge read them. I gave this volume 5 big fat stars!
January 16, 2022
Please don´t hate me, but I think everybody is making too much of a fuss over Hikaru.
After all, it´s not HIS talent that makes them waver, it´s the fact that he was acknowledged by Akira Toya and the speculations about the reason go through the roof. "If Akira acknowledged him, he must be terribly good."
Well, Hikaru IS a great player, but his reputation partly made of the state Akira has in the Go world. Hikaru is acknowledged by many, but only after word about Akira came out, everybody was on the edge of their seats. What I mean is, if Akira wasn´t as good and famous as he is, his acknowledged would mean nothing. That´s how the world is and Hikarus reputation definitely profits from it.
And I don´t think it´s very cool to only very seldomly correct peoples ideas about him.
After all, it´s not HIS talent that makes them waver, it´s the fact that he was acknowledged by Akira Toya and the speculations about the reason go through the roof. "If Akira acknowledged him, he must be terribly good."
Well, Hikaru IS a great player, but his reputation partly made of the state Akira has in the Go world. Hikaru is acknowledged by many, but only after word about Akira came out, everybody was on the edge of their seats. What I mean is, if Akira wasn´t as good and famous as he is, his acknowledged would mean nothing. That´s how the world is and Hikarus reputation definitely profits from it.
And I don´t think it´s very cool to only very seldomly correct peoples ideas about him.
July 26, 2025
A bit of a time skip, and we're in the pro world with Hikaru and the others. And here's the conflict, ready-made: Sai wants to play all these strong players, but how is Hikaru going to deal with the consequences if he does agree? Drama intensifies, everyone from Toyas to Kuwabara putting in their bit.
The "Sai's day out" part reads a bit more like filler, although it does introduce some characters we'll see later, so it's not quite without purpose. Btw in my version the volume is called differently, it's "Shinshodan series" which makes a bit more sense.
Also, Akira briefly appears in traditional dress, together with his father. Sweet!
The "Sai's day out" part reads a bit more like filler, although it does introduce some characters we'll see later, so it's not quite without purpose. Btw in my version the volume is called differently, it's "Shinshodan series" which makes a bit more sense.
Also, Akira briefly appears in traditional dress, together with his father. Sweet!
August 2, 2018
Hikaru's first series as a pro turns into a bit of a mess when Toya Meijin requests Shindo as his opponent in a series pitting new pros against old veterans and Hikaru allows Sai to play the match instead. This plays out fairly early, but leads to a series of incidents in which Hikaru finds it increasingly difficult to allow Sai the freedom to play go himself that he had earlier in the series. As it becomes increasingly important for Hikaru to "fight his own battles," Sai is pushed further and further from the board and more and more into an advisory role.
October 23, 2023
Shindo entra nel mondo dei professionisti del Go e attira subito l’attenzione del padre di Akira, che chiede espressamente di giocare contro di lui.
Peccato che Sai provi un desiderio implorante di giocare al posto di Hikaru: dapprima contrario, quest’ultimo alla fine acconsente, ma gli chiede di giocare con un handicap di quindici moku, per evitare di venire scoperto e finire di nuovo al centro dell’attenzione. Ovviamente il padre di Akira vince la partita, ma si accorge dell’handicap che Hikaru/Sai si è autoimposto e gli dice che la prossima volta giocheranno alla pari.
Peccato che Sai provi un desiderio implorante di giocare al posto di Hikaru: dapprima contrario, quest’ultimo alla fine acconsente, ma gli chiede di giocare con un handicap di quindici moku, per evitare di venire scoperto e finire di nuovo al centro dell’attenzione. Ovviamente il padre di Akira vince la partita, ma si accorge dell’handicap che Hikaru/Sai si è autoimposto e gli dice che la prossima volta giocheranno alla pari.
November 5, 2023
Hikaru No Go Vol. 12 is a Sai focused storyline; with Sai dueling against Toya Meijin (Akira's father). This expedition match is intense and we get to see various characters react to it as it unfolds, including Akira. We then shift focus to Sai being infuriated at a go event where a pro player who sells go merchandise is attempting to scam people. While the latter story is still enjoyably, the real meat is in the opening chapters. Vol. 12 is a welcome interlude before Hikaru begins his life as a professional player.
April 8, 2025
Yumi Hotta, Takeshi Obata and Yuakri Umezawa continue to form and excellent team with amazing results. Sai is feeling depressed as he sees the future Go players longing to play Hikaru and not Sai…who was the reason they all initially sought him out. This is so interesting of a volume and the match between Akira’s father and Sai…it’s the type of thing that may or may not happen again in the entire series! The pages flow and the action is intense for a game played on a board.
November 11, 2017
さいはやはり強い。
さいが名人の前に座ったシーンはびりびり！私はヒカルならさいの上にも座らない。でもその瞬間にヒカルもちょっと寂しそう。彼も名人と打ったかた。
それで倉田先生は犬夜叉の人木の妖怪仙人とぴたり！すごい似ている！
さいが名人の前に座ったシーンはびりびり！私はヒカルならさいの上にも座らない。でもその瞬間にヒカルもちょっと寂しそう。彼も名人と打ったかた。
それで倉田先生は犬夜叉の人木の妖怪仙人とぴたり！すごい似ている！
April 8, 2019
Pretty great board game manga, Really liked the story and the art was really nice😁😻👌♟♟📖💕
March 17, 2021
This was fun. Loved Sai being back in the story again. Kurata is one of my favorite characters too
July 11, 2021
Loved seeing Sai get to play again!
November 24, 2021
Memasuki dunia pro dan Toya Meijin vs Sai.
Keberadaan Kurata Pro sungguh karakter yg unik
Keberadaan Kurata Pro sungguh karakter yg unik
May 17, 2023
Sai is so cute!!!! I love his lil temper tantrums when he hasn't played in a while, he's so passionate about go. 💖
February 6, 2024
Hikaru vs. Toya Meijin
July 28, 2024
Integrity class
August 3, 2025
This is a crucial volume in the development of Hikaru and Sai as a duo. Now that Hikaru has become a pro, he wants to keep winning and proving himself. He wants to win and impress others with his own skill, without Sai. And Sai of course is happy to see Hikaru succeed but still wants to play go as well. This is a catch-up volume where we get to see how these two have changed over the pro test arcs, now that Hikaru can take a step back and check in with Sai instead of constantly worrying about his upcoming games. We get to see an interesting match, then Hikaru goes to a big go exhibit where we meet WONDERFUL CINNAMON ROLL OF KINDNESS KURATA-SENSEI (oh and some bad people too but who cares). It's a less intense volume but the way it emphasizes the growing divide between Hikaru and Sai's goals is important as the series is going to continue.
March 29, 2015
This is a really strong series. It's true that if you break it down it really follows a simple pattern: fight - grow stronger - fight some more - grow even stronger, but I find it believable enough to enjoy it. And in the story it doesn't feel as monotonous as it may sound. A lot of it is thanks to the characters and to the different situations they find themselves in. Here, Hikaru suddenly faces Touya Meijin, Akira's father, and it's great to see the different characters' reactions to this match. In fact, they're almost more exciting than the game itself, although I have to say that I find most of the games truly captivating, especially because sometimes you don't know who you want to win. I'm really loving this, but I guess that's obvious :D
March 8, 2011
Yumi Hotta, Hikaru no Go, vol. 12: The Shinshodan Series (ViZ, 1998)
The Pro Test may be over, but that's just the beginning of Hikaru's adventures. His first match as a pro comes in the Shinshodan Series, and Hikaru has gained attention from places even he never expected; it turns out a mysterious competitor has specifically requested him as an opponent, and the whole Go world is waiting with bated breath to see how this match is going to turn out. When Sai finds out who it is, he begs to be allowed to play the match himself, but Hikaru is concerned that his play is now different enough from Sai's that people will notice. Another excellent entry in the series. ****
The Pro Test may be over, but that's just the beginning of Hikaru's adventures. His first match as a pro comes in the Shinshodan Series, and Hikaru has gained attention from places even he never expected; it turns out a mysterious competitor has specifically requested him as an opponent, and the whole Go world is waiting with bated breath to see how this match is going to turn out. When Sai finds out who it is, he begs to be allowed to play the match himself, but Hikaru is concerned that his play is now different enough from Sai's that people will notice. Another excellent entry in the series. ****
July 26, 2011
３.５★ I think if I didn't watch the anime and thus already know the story, this volume would be four stars. I really feel for Sai and the anime actually adds a bit that's not in the book to give it a slightly more upbeat feel. However, perhaps that's why I was so sad when <....>. I think if I had read the manga from the start, I wouldn't have been nearly so shocked when <...>, maybe.
Anime-manga match-up:
ep 47 = vol 12 up to pg 53 （第９７～９８局）
ep 48 = vol 12 pgs 56-99 （第９９～１００局）
ep 49 = vol 12 pgs 102-137 （第１０１～１０２.７５局）
ep 50 = vol 12 pg 138 （LOL only one page! The rest of the ep was review!）
ep 51 = vol 12 pgs 139-end （第１０２.７５～１０４局）
Anime-manga match-up:
ep 47 = vol 12 up to pg 53 （第９７～９８局）
ep 48 = vol 12 pgs 56-99 （第９９～１００局）
ep 49 = vol 12 pgs 102-137 （第１０１～１０２.７５局）
ep 50 = vol 12 pg 138 （LOL only one page! The rest of the ep was review!）
ep 51 = vol 12 pgs 139-end （第１０２.７５～１０４局）
March 23, 2017
Found myself ripping through this one. Now that Hikaru is a pro and a strong player in his own right, his dependence on Sai is diminishing, while Sai's desire to play the stronger players Hikaru is facing grows. It will be very interesting to see how their relationship evolves. Ordering the next one. (My library doesn't own this Manga, so I've been borrowing these on inter-library loan. Thanks to Wake County Libraries in NC for lending me this volume.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2013
#Program BUBU
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December 11, 2010F HOT hng v.12
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