Hikaru No Go
While searching through his grandfather's attic, Hikaru Shindou stumbles upon an old go board. Touching it, he is greeted by a mysterious voice, and soon after falls unconscious. When he regains his senses, he discovers that the voice is still present and belongs to Fujiwara no Sai, the spirit of an ancient go expert. A go instructor for the Japanese Emperor in the Heian Era, Sai's passion for the game transcends time and space, allowing him to continue playing his beloved game as a ghostly entity. Sai's ultimate goal is to master a divine go technique that no player has achieved so far, and he seeks to accomplish this by playing the board game through Hikaru. Despite having no interest in board games, Hikaru reluctantly agrees to play, executing moves as instructed by Sai. However, when he encounters the young go prodigy Akira Touya, a passion for the game is slowly ignited within him. Inspired by his newfound rival, Hikaru's journey into the world of go is just beginning.
- 2001-2003
- 3 seasons
- ImaginAsian TV
- Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sports
- TV-G
While searching through his grandfather's attic, Hikaru Shindou stumbles upon an old go board. Touching it, he is greeted by a mysterious voice, and soon after falls unconscious. When he regains his senses, he discovers that the voice is still present and belongs to Fujiwara no Sai, the spirit of an ancient go expert. A go instructor for the Japanese Emperor in the Heian Era, Sai's passion for the game transcends time and space, allowing him to continue playing his beloved game as a ghostly entity. Sai's ultimate goal is to master a divine go technique that no player has achieved so far, and he seeks to accomplish this by playing the board game through Hikaru. Despite having no interest in board games, Hikaru reluctantly agrees to play, executing moves as instructed by Sai. However, when he encounters the young go prodigy Akira Touya, a passion for the game is slowly ignited within him. Inspired by his newfound rival, Hikaru's journey into the world of go is just beginning.
Season 3 Episode Guide
15 Episodes 2002 - 2003
Episode 1
Satame ga kieta?
23 mins
The time has come for Sai to leave has come, leaving Hikaru angry and frustrated. He goes back to his Grandfather's attic and discovers that the Blood-stained Go board, where Sai's spirit once resided, is now clean. In his quest to find Sai, Hikaru takes off for Innoshima, where Sai first appeared to Torajiro, the young man who later became the great Hon'inbo Shusaku.
Episode 2
Hiroshima saikyô kishi
23 mins
While in Innoshima, Mr. Kawai stumbles into a Go Salon where, as a result of a misunderstanding, he finds himself owing a lot of money to Shuhei, a formidable Go player who is enormous both in size and talent. But when this top amateur recognizes Hikaru from Go Weekly, he decides to take on this reluctant neophyte pro.
Episode 3
Mô utanai
23 mins
Hikaru goes through old game records to find past matches with the great Hon'inbo Shusaku. While going through them, he becomes engulfed in guilt over not playing enough games with Sai and his subsequent disappearance.
Episode 4
Keichô no kaki
23 mins
In this bonus flashback episode, Hikaru and Sai encounter an antiques dealer who sells counterfeit heirlooms he claims are from the distant past. But when a young girl finds her grandfather's stolen bowl in his shop. It's up to Hikaru and Sai to make sure that bowl is returned to its rightful owner.
Episode 5
Ikaku no go
23 mins
In order to rediscover his game, Isumi goes to China where he meets a young, impulsive player who bares a striking resemblance to a friend and fellow former insei.
Episode 6
Unmei no deai
23 mins
Back before Hikaru Shindo met Akira Toya, a young Children's Go champion pays Akira a visit to the Go Salon in order to challenge him. Meanwhile, Akira's bursting with delight over his father, Toya Meijin,
Episode 7
Tamesareru ikaku
23 mins
Still in China, Isumi decides to stay and to improve his game and boost his confidence. With the help of his new friend Yang Hai, he challenges the bratty Le Ping to a rematch. Meanwhile, Asumi runs into Hikaru, asking the questions that on everyone's mind "Why isn't he playing?"
Episode 8
Fusenpai
23 mins
With Hikaru giving up on Go, everyone is worried, including his mother, who vents her concerns to his teacher. From the aggressive Mr. Tsubaki to the easily excitable Mr. Kawai, everyone is angry and confused over Hikaru's decision to forfeit his matches and quit the game.
Episode 9
Kessen no hômonsha
22 mins
Isumi returns to Japan a stronger and more focused player. He soons discovers what everyone else already knows: Hikaru Shindo is losing his games by default. In an attempt to solve this mystery, Isumi starts to investigate and figure out what is going on with Hikaru.
Episode 10
Satame ga ita...
23 mins
Isumi finally tracks down Hikaru and pleads with him to play one game with him. Hikaru, fearful that if he plays Sai will not return, reluctantly agrees. Will Hikaru be able to recapture his love for the game?
Episode 11
Fukki sen
23 mins
Hikaru's back to his old self and ready to move up the rankings of professional Go. First up is Murakami, a pro who previously defeated Hikaru in the Young Lions Tournament. Meanwhile, things are changing at the Haze Go Club as Yuki, Akari and the rest of the team contemplate about their futures.
Episode 12
Hashiri dashita futari
23 mins
Now that Hikaru's playing again, he's drawn the attention of Go Players throughout Tokyo, as well as the readers and writers of Go Weekly. Meanwhile, the world of Go is changing as a new wave of younger players are beginning to dethrone the veterans of the game.
Episode 13
Shintô tai tôya
22 mins
The match-ups for the Meijin Qualifiers is out and it's Hikaru vs. Akira in the first round. With the pressure of the match brimming inside of Hikaru, he invites Akari to play some Go.
Episode 14
Kimi no naka ni iru
23 mins
The match everyone has been waiting for has finally begun! With every move, the game builds with a fevered intensity. As Akira begins to recollect on how Hikaru rose from Insei to pro, he discovers Hikaru's secret by witnessing one of his moves.
Episode 15
Natsukashii egao
23 mins
As they break for lunch, Akira confronts Hikaru on the fact that he has discovered that Sai is within him. After the game, Hikaru goes home and goes to sleep. In his dream, he sees Sai once more and tells him everything that has happen since he left, including that he and Akira have agreed to play each other on a regular basis at the Go Salon.
