Hikaru no Go (2001)
A young boy, a haunted go board, and the ghost of an ancient master — Hikaru no Go is a beloved shounen anime about rivalry, growth, and the timeless game of go.
Hikaru no Go - Series Information
- Original Title: ヒカルの碁
- First Air Year: 2001
- Last Air Year: 2003
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 23 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 75
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 10, 2001 (United States - TV-G), October 10, 2001 (Australia - G), October 10, 2001 (Brazil - 12), October 10, 2001 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TV Tokyo
- Alternative Titles: 棋魂 (2001) (CN), 棋灵王 (HK), 고스트 바둑왕 (KR), Hikaru's Go (US), 棋靈王 (TW)
- Production Companies: TV Tokyo, dentsu, Pierrot
- Production Countries: Japan
Hikaru no Go - Plot
Hikaru Shindo is like any sixth-grader in Japan: a pretty normal kid with a two-tone head of hair and a penchant for antics. His life completely changes when he finds an old bloodstained go board in his grandfather's attic. The ghost of an ancient go master named Fujiwara-no-Sai was trapped in the board and soon becomes a part of Hikaru's consciousness. Together Hikaru and Sai make an unstoppable go-playing team!
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Hikaru no Go - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Tomoko Kawakami
- Susumu Chiba
- Sanae Kobayashi
- Yumi Kakazu
- Makoto Tsumura
- Kentaro Ito
- Yuu Asakawa
- Mayumi Asano
- Takahiro Sakurai
- Reiko Takagi
Writers
- Shikichi Ohashi
- Atsuhiro Tomioka
- Michiko Yokote
Hikaru no Go - FAQs
Where can you stream Hikaru no Go online?
Hikaru no Go is available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so checking JustWatch is recommended for the most current options.
Is Hikaru no Go based on a manga?
Yes, Hikaru no Go is based on the manga series of the same name written by Yumi Hotta and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1998 to 2003 and became one of the most celebrated sports manga in Japan.
Who are the main voice actors in Hikaru no Go?
The principal voice cast includes Tomoko Kawakami as Hikaru Shindo, Susumu Chiba as Fujiwara no Sai, Sanae Kobayashi as Akira Toya, Yumi Kakazu as Akari Fujisaki, and Takahiro Sakurai as Kaoru Kishimoto, among others.
Did Hikaru no Go increase interest in the game of go?
Absolutely. Hikaru no Go is widely credited with sparking a significant revival of interest in the ancient board game of go, particularly among younger audiences across Japan, South Korea, and China. Go clubs and youth enrollment in go organizations reportedly surged following the anime's broadcast.
What is Hikaru no Go about?
Hikaru no Go follows a young boy named Hikaru Shindo who discovers a haunted go board in his grandfather's attic. The ghost of legendary go master Fujiwara no Sai takes up residence in his mind, setting Hikaru on a path of rivalry, growth, and obsession with mastering the ancient board game.
How many seasons and episodes does Hikaru no Go have?
Hikaru no Go ran for 3 seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 75 episodes. Season 1 contains 30 episodes, Season 2 contains 30 episodes, Season 3 contains 15 episodes, and Season 0 includes 6 special episodes.
What is the content rating for Hikaru no Go?
Hikaru no Go carries a TV-G rating in the United States, making it suitable for all audiences. The series features no significant violence, mature themes, or objectionable content, making it an excellent choice for younger viewers and families alike.
Why did Hikaru no Go end without a proper conclusion?
The anime ended in 2003 largely because the original manga was still ongoing at the time, and the series had caught up to the source material. The sudden departure of a key voice actress also contributed to the decision not to continue. Many fans consider the ending abrupt and unresolved.
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