Volume 1 - Spoiler Free

[qem_chibati]

• Game 1: "Descent of the Go Master”

Our story begins with Shindou taking on an entrepreneur role, that is, he is planning on stealing things from his grandfather’s study in order to make up for his lack of cashflow, that is, his parents have cancelled his allowance due to his appalling grades. (8%!) (AKARI'S FACE. AKARI'S FACE! I love how dubious she is about this.)

He then discovers a wondrous event! A ghost that only he can hear, that is obsessed with an ancient game mostly played by old geezers and causes problems for Hikaru’s health if he doesn’t take into account the ghostly beings wishes. The class is very impressed with the volume and reach Hikaru's vomitting skills!

In order to maintain basic necessities, such as keeping lunch in stomach, Hikaru plans to play a game against his grandfather, perhaps this may assist with his cashflow problems! And the ghost has offered to help him cheat at history if he can play lots of Go. Unfortunately Hikaru doesn’t know the basics so consequently can’t play fast enough to keep his grandfather engaged with the game.

In order to learn the basics, to deal with the afore mentioned problems, Hikaru groans and signs up for tutoring to learn the game, as this is the least painful option. (Why couldn't he get a cool ghost? :( Maybe one that will teach him jutsu and then he can be a ninja and then!)

(Hikaru’s mother is puzzled by this, but not as much as Akari is. I think her brain just imploded.)

Back learning the basics, Hikaru discovers another person at the lessons who is bullying a beginner. Hikaru manages to turn the tables around and thoroughly embarrass the bully, which leads to him being told off by the teacher.

Hikaru asks about Fujiwara – but the go teacher doesn’t know of him. He does tell Hikaru about the greatest go player – Honinbo Shusaku

What An Optimistic Start To The Series This Is! :3


• Game 2: "From a Level Beyond"
• Sai gets to meet the meijin on t.v and find out he’s one of the greatest modern players in Japan.
• The bully tries to make up with Hikaru, but Hikaru is so shocked by the new wig, he ends up embarrassing and driving off Akoto-san again.
• This results in Hikaru being kicked out again and looking for another place to play.
• He discovers a certain salon and asks to play someone his age. Akira lets him play for free.
• Akira offers a handicap, but Hikaru declines saying they are the same age. Akira agrees, not really knowing how to deal with this… To me it looks obvious he’s thinking, “I don’t think he knows what he’s dealing with”… No I don't think he does.
• Akira gets surprised although Hikaru’s holding the stones like a beginner – the moves are actually pretty good.
• … then Akira realises that this is a test to evaluate *himself*.
• We met another player who lets us know that Akira’s pretty much a hotshot, calling him –sensei
• As Hikaru makes his leave saying his no good – but he takes a pamphlet for a children’s tournament.
• After he leaves you can see the salon being shocked and horrified at the news Akira lost – to an absolute beginner.


• Game 3: "Matters of Life and Death"
• Hikaru’s having more problems as Sai is a distraction while he’s doing sport.
• Other kids are noticing that somethings not right with Hikaru.
• Hikaru agrees to go to the tournament if Sai helps him with the test.
• At the tournament Hikaru blurts out one of the moves, and then gets booted out for interference.
• Ogata notices that it was actually a pretty sophisticated move Hikaru spotted.
• Tsutsui!!!!
• Hikaru apologies and then makes his escape.
• Don’t mess with the mejin.
• Ogata tries to find Shindou, but just missed out. Touya-meijin says that if the boys really any good, he’ll join them amongst the pros.

• Game 4: "Inexcusable"
• Poor lonely Akira, waiting for his NEW FRIEND, to come back and play.
• He finds out Hikaru went to the tournament and went to go find him.
• Hikaru tells Akira he’s impressed by how serious everyone is!
• … This does not go down well.
• Hikaru gets dragged off to play a game.

• Game 5: "Akira Bares His Fangs"
• Sai reveals that yes, he does think Akira’s good. But he can totes beat him easily.
• And it’s not because Akira’s a kid, Akira’s gonna grow up to be pretty scary, but his strength is still forming.
• TIGER VS DRAGON MOTIF.
• Everyone is very interested in this match.


• Game 6: "A Decisive Blow"
• Akira loses and is very depressed about this.
• Hikaru… tries? But leaves sadly.
• Hikaru feels really bad about how he left Akira.
• Then Ogata discovers him.
• And kidnaps Hikaru – to take him to the Meijin.
• They play a game!
• Hikaru gets really into the game and makes a move of his own!
• CLIFF HANGER!

• Game 7: "Three Problems of Life and Death"
• This really freaks out Hikaru. RUN HIKARU RUN!
• Meijin on the game - The start of the game was solid but it wasn’t really enough to evaluate a player.
• Touya-meijin notices that there was something different about the last move, which looked like a poor move, but seemed significant.
• Sai swears he didn’t control Hikaru.
• Hikaru says he must of as Hikaru can’t handle stones like that. (Although he does think that the Touyas were both very cool with how they played)
• He runs into Akari who wants him to come check out the Jr Highschool festival.
• Hikaru says he won’t go, but then ends up going and is annoyed he can’t find Akari.
• Hikaru comes across the go club which is offering prizes if you win the game.
• Sai really wants that book, which is a tute by Touya-meijin.
• Hikaru solves the first problem on his own, and even the harder one that TsuiTsui would take time on – without Sai’s help. (Although he does ask for the hardest one as he wants this to be over already).
• Tsuitsui describes the problem as one that it would take someone like Touya Akira to solve and Hikaru spouts complements about how he’s wonderful and amazing and…
• KAGA MAKES HIS ENTRANCE SOLVING THE PROBLEM INSTANTLY AND SAYING SOMEONE LIKE TOUYA AKIRA IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM.

("BEHOLD THE REAL STAR OF THE SHOW HAS ENTERED", Kaga says.)


In this post, I request that people keep this post spoiler free or use a ROT13 generator (there’s one available right here. I will be posting up a post that's available for going crazy with spoilers and comparing volume 1 with post volume 1 discussion shortly!)

Comments

Re: Game 1

[kexing]

Like Hikaru even would have a 1000 yen. Bad Viz!
I am sort of horrified that Hikaru seriously was on the verge of selling the crazy expensive go board for pocket money. No respect for other people’s property!