Search - Hikaru No Go, Vol. 1: The Go Masters Descent on DVD

Great anime, great music

thetenken | McLean, VA | 12/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would like to highly recommend the Hikaru no Go anime. If one can get past preconceived notions concerning the premise of the show (What? Kids playing an ancient board game? That's boring...), one will find that the anime is a very good study of character development, motivation, and a very detailed and accurate insight into a world that most are not privy to in our lifetimes. The music of the series is very well suited, with a very inspirational theme that reflects well on the scenes. This series has all the classic motifs of shonen manga (conflict, friendship, and adventure), and does them well.

I would also recommend that people DO NOT read I. Kim's review, as it contains spoilers for the entire series and should definitely not be read by any who wish to read the manga or watch the anime."

Incredibly Powerful and Universal

Kiwi Bird | 11/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hikaru no Go centers on the intense rivalry between Hikaru and Akira over the game of Go. Akira has been training since he was two years old, and Hikaru has only gradually come to see the lure of the game after making the acquaintance of a ghost, Sai, who loves Go more than life itself.

This series draws out the humor and drama of modern life on the 19-by-19 grid of the Go board. This series has a universality that is rarely seen. It can be appreciated by people of all ages, a major feat by itself, and is very unlikely to offend."

Pleasantly surprised

Sil Lum Sifu | 06/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this because of my own interest in Go, and because I thought it would be fun to watch with my daughter - who is studying the game with me. But it is my wife and I who watch Hikaru No Go so raptly! It's very hard, with so many episodes available, to avoid just burning through them. The story does an excellent job of building anticipation for what happens next. The animation itself is nothing special, although it isn't bad by any means. What really shines in this series is the great story, about friendship, personal growth, determination, and Go, of course! The games of Go are very exciting. For reference, some other animes that we think are good are FMA, El Hazard, A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, and Witch Hunter Robin. (Just in case you thought I was a big Sailor Moon fan spouting off about the next "big thing".) After my wife and I watched these, I was concerned they were too sophisticated for my daughter (age 6). I was wrong. She loves the show.

One irritating thing about these DVDs is the poor dub quality. Do yourself a favor and watch them in Japanese with the subtitles. The English voices are extremely grating. Hikaru doesn't sound like a sixth grader. Akira sounds like he has a stick up his backside, and poor Sai has been given an extremely foppish voice. Come on! Sai in the Japanese is really cool! Again, watch with subtitles! The only other thing that irritates me about these discs is the Naruto preview at the beginning of each disc, which cannot be skipped. You have to fast forward through it.

A special bonus: each episode is accompanied by a live-action Go lesson!

We really look forward to the rest of the series."

Absolutely addicting!!!

RedNewt | California USA | 06/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen this entire series at least three times in Japanese, and found myself absolutely obsessed with the series. Each character is individually crafted and each has a unique and fascinating personality and his or her own story to tell. The story totally draws you in, Sai is cute and sad at the same time in his desire to play Go, Hikaru is annoying at first but grows tremendously throughout the story, both emotionally and intellectually. It's a story of love, friendship, the search for excellence, the power of persistance, and the indomitable spirit that fills each one of us. As so many others have stated after seeing this, I wanted to play Go too, I want to meet other people who play Go, and the characters now live in my heart for all time."