Hikaru No Go Volume 5: Start

Hikaru No Go Volume 5 (2005) by Yumi Hotta

Description: Sai's games on the Internet have Go players around the world guessing his true identity. among them is Hikaru's rival, Akira, who suspects that Hikaru is hiding behind the screen name "sai". So intense is Akira's interest, in fact, that he skips the first day of his pro exam for a re-match. And on a rainy Sunday, the battle of wills begins anew...

Review: I have to say this installment was the turning point for Hikaru's character. He finally has a goal and will do just about anything to do it. It was really interesting to see how he turned out. The characters are written so well that I have been so engrossed in this story. I really can't wait to read more.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hikaru No Go Volume 4: Divine Illusions

Hikaru No Go Volume 4 (2005) by Yumi Hotta

Description: Another tournament is underway. Three members of the cutthroat Kaio Go Club face three members of the budding Haze Go Club. As tensions rise, the antagonism between both teams culminates in a telling match between Akira and Hikaru. Who will win? Which team will win? Even if the answer surprises you, the ensuing drama won't.

After the excitement of the tournament, there's nothing left for Hikaru and Kimihiro to do... except learn how to play more Go! In the process, Hikaru finds a way to let Sai play all the Go his fluttering heart desires without everybody and their mother pointing and staring at Hikaru. Find out what Hikaru discovers in this volume of Hikaru No Go!

Review: So this installment is basically the ultimate tournament and then the aftermath. Even though Hikaru is defeated, he still wants to keep on playing. He does discover something... the internet. Now Sai can get off his back and play all the Go he wants. It was pretty intense during the tournament. I have to say that Akira is a little freak. Not that being a freak is bad, but he is a bit odd to say the least. I am still enjoying this series and can't wait to read more.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hikaru No Go Volume 3: Preliminary Scrimmage

Hikaru No Go (2005) by Yumi Hotta

Description: Akira is beginning a new school year at Kaio Middle School. With his daunting reputation as the Toya Meijin's son, Akira fins he must prove himself to more than a few mean and jealous classmates. And with the help of upperclassman Yuri Hidaka, Akira finds the confidence to persevere in his hunt to beat Hikaru. Meanwhile, Hikaru is having a hard enough time just trying to find a third teammate to play in the Haze Middle School Go Club. A possible teammate arrives in the form of Yuki Mitani - but will he join their club or continue to swindle old timers for their pocket change?

Review: We continue to follow Hikaru in his goal to find a third member for their Go club. His passion is very interesting. For a person who really didn't like Go, he sure is determined to play in the tournament. We are introduced to Yuki, who is playing Go for money. Although he gets what is coming, has he really learned his lesson? I continue to enjoy the character and humor of Yumi Hotta. A really fun and great read.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hikaru No Go Volume 2: First Battle

Hikaru No Go Volume 2 (2004) by Yumi Hotta

Description: With sure and steady moves, Sai and Hikaru are making a name for Hikaru Shindo as the one who might possiby beat the venerable Akira Toya. Wait. Who are we kididng? Hikaru: sure and steady...? Yeah, right! In between all the shenanigans Hikaru gets himself into during school and aafter, and dealing with Sai's unhappy sobs when Hikaru tries to run away from playing Go, his fame is grwing. Principals, teachers and Go tournament kids alike are all wondering who this unruly bronco foal Go player is. Tetsuo, a Shogi punk who had a beef of his own with Akira, harasses poor Hikaru at frist - then later puts him on his own Go team! Meanwhile, Akira, looking for a rematch with Hikaru, is surpised to find Hikaru playing with a third-rate Go club. You won't be disappointed with the further adventures of this dynamic Go duo!

Review: In this installment, Hikaru is getting more and more into Go. He is now in a Go club and competing in a tournament. It is interesting to see how the character of Hikaru is growing. He is getting a little more confident and tries to make plays on his own. I am intrigued with the Go culture and enjoy reading about it. The characters are written well and make me want to read more.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hikaru No Go Volume 1: Descent of the Go Master

Hikaru No Go (2004) by Yumi Hotta

Description: Hikaru Shindo is like any sixth-grader in Japan: a pretty normal school boy with a two-tone head of hair and a penchant for antics. One day, he finds an old bloodstained Go board in his grandfather's attic- and that's when things get really interesting. Trapped inside the Go board is Fujiwara-no-Sai the ghost of an ancient Go master who taught the strategically complex board game to the Emperor of Japan many centuries ago. In one fateful moment, Sai becomes a part of Hikaru's consciousness and together, through thick and thin, they make an unstoppable Go-playing team. Will they e able to defeat Go players who have dedicated their lives to the game? Will Sai achieve the"Divine Move" so he'll finally be able to rest in peace? Begin our journey with Hikaru and Sai in this first volume of Hikaru no Go.

Review: I never thought a manga about Go would be that interesting, but Yumi Hotta really makes it fun. This was a great introduction to Hikaru and the whole universe of Go. I didn't realize how popular it was in Japan. My husband plays Go so I am familiar with the game (he was obsessed for a while - he even make a computer game). The characters are great and I instantly fell in love with them. Also, Hotta's humor is just great. I love the little "behind the scenes" included. They really make me laugh. Another great thing about this series is all of the good information about the game itself. I have really learned a lot. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Score: 4 out of 5