Hikaru no Go

During a search in his grandfather's attic, the titular character of "Hikaru no Go," Hikaru Shindou, comes across an old Go board that holds an unexpected surprise. As he touches it, a mysterious voice emerges, and moments later, Hikaru loses consciousness.

Upon awakening, he makes a startling discovery - the voice belongs to Fujiwara no Sai, the spirit of a masterful Go-player from ancient Japan's Heian Era. Sai, who once served as a Go instructor to the Japanese Emperor, possesses an unwavering passion for the game that defies the boundaries of time and space, enabling him to continue his beloved pursuit as a spectral presence. Sai's ultimate ambition is to master a divine Go technique that has eluded players throughout history, and he aims to achieve this by engaging in the game through Hikaru.

Despite having no prior interest in board games, Hikaru reluctantly agrees to participate, making moves according to Sai's guidance. However, everything changes when he crosses paths with Akira Touya, a young go prodigy. Encountering Touya stirs something within him, awakening a burgeoning fascination with the game of Go. Inspired by his newfound rival, Hikaru's odyssey into the captivating world of Go in "Hikaru no Go" is only just commencing.

Release: 2001

MyAnimeList Score: 8.08/10