Hikaru no Go Review Pages

Hikaru no Go
Kiba wo Muku Akira
(Akira Bears his Fangs)

Copyright: © 2001, Hotta Yumi, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Avex Mode, Studio Pierot
Length: 25 minutes
Rating: NR, Suitable for Family Viewing
Format: Original Japanese Dialogue (VHS, DVD)

synopsis:

dvd jacket

Akira has finally caught up with Hikaru, outside the National Children's Go Tournament. For Hikaru, seeing the many contestants including children younger than himself, it was an eye-opening experience; so many young children who are so focussed and serious about the game made a strong impression on Hikaru. For Akira who has always been serious about Go, Hikaru's cavalier attitude towards the game is an affront to his pride as a player and his love of the game. To Akira, Hikaru is seemingly a very able player. However, in truth, Hikaru is only playing those moves that Sai dictates. Insulted by Hikaru's seeming disregard for the profession that Akira has worked towards for nearly his entire life, Akira challenges Hikaru to a re-match...

capsule review:

Things start to come together here in this third episode of Hikaru no Go. Character development continues especially for Hikaru as he tries to understand Akira's seriousness about Go. This development especially makes this episode an interesting watch. From beginning to end, viewers are firmly focussed through two rounds of game play as the characters reveal more about themselves and their personalities. Moreover, the direction in these revelations combined with some very intense music keeps viewers riveted. Not something that one would necessarily expect in a non-action based show, there is some highly energetic and suspenseful music in this episode. The music in this third episode, while recycling some melodies, also adds a number of new melodies that adds to the overall atmosphere of this episode.

While there isn't much story per se, it is the development of Hikaru's character and his struggle to understand Akira's motivations, as well as his awakening desire to be more in command of and understand the game of Go that truly drives this episode. While this aspect of the story will continue to develop in subsequent episodes (otherwise this would be Sai no Go), it is here that we see the beginnings of Hikaru's own interest in the game. All in all the first three episodes make for a very intriguing beginning to this series. With the music and direction as well as the occasional flashes of humour combined with an i-Go based storyline, this series is showing some good promise. The music is especially interesting with strong opening and ending theme songs as well as good background themes, the soundtrack could be worth looking into. Next volume and episode please!
- JYN, 2002.07.10

café rating (original japanese):

Story:	[3 / 5] - This is primarily a character development episode based around Hikaru's character.
Direction:	[4 / 5] - Strong pacing mixed with a highly effective music track keeps viewers riveted.
Acting:	[4 / 5] - Strong efforts by the all the seiyuu.
Animation:	[3 / 5] - Good for TV animation.
Music:	[4 / 5] - Again some highly effective melodies are introduced in this episode.
Translation:	[ N/A ] - Based on the original Japanese version.
Overall Rating:	[4 / 5] - Things start to come together here in this third episode. The strong direction and music track keeps viewers firmly interested in the story and the game. Onwards!

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Page last modified 2002.07.10

synopsis:

capsule review:

café rating (original japanese):

Story:

Direction:

Acting:

Animation:

Music:

Translation:

Overall Rating: