Customer Reviews

Hikaru no Go, Vol. 11 (Hikaru No Go (Graphic Novels))

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Yumi Hotta, Hikaru no Go vol. 11: A Fierce Battle (ViZ, 1998)

I hate to say it, but as both series go on, Hikaru no Go is starting to supplant Bleach as my favorite manga series. With most fighting manga, the whole "fight - get stronger - fight - get stronger" cycle is overstated and obviously artificial, but with Hikaru no Go, it's much slower-moving, there are plausible explanations for various events in the get stronger part of the cycle (plateauing, making dumb lucky moves, etc.), and Hotta, over the course of the pro test story arc, has built a credible, realistic stable of strong personalities. Hotta completes that arc in A Fierce Battle, the eleventh volume in the series, and the long-awaited match, with Toya-trained Ochi facing Sai-trained Shindo, is a barnburner. That you know how it's going to come out despite Hotta cliffhanger makes it not one whit less exciting, and that's part of the fun here. A banner volume in a fantastic series that's well worth your time, even if you're not a manga fan (yet). **** ½

Hikaru Shindo, upon discovering a possessed Go board, finds himself befriending the spirit of wronged Go master of the heian period. Sai's spirit has remained with the board until he can accomplish his life's work and play the ultimate Go move.

Unfortunately for Sai, Hikaru discovers his own desire to master Go and in Volume 11, Hikaru has become a professional. Sai's dream is pushed aside to allow Hikaru develop his own abilities and pursue his own dream.

The characters are likeable, the art is appealing and the level of intensity in the story is engaging. At the end of each volume of "Hikaru no Go" you *want* to know what will happen.

This is a great Shounen Jump title, suitable for boys and girls alike.