Hikaru no Go Ch. 152 - The Opponent is 7-Dan
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

We see the regular faces at the Touya Meijin Go Salon as Ichikawa-san talks with a customer about how Akira hasn't been around as much lately. Ichikawa-san explains that Akira has been taking Chinese and Korean language classes in his free time. The customers start talking to Akira about the Hotuko Cup and how disrespectful Hikaru was the other day but Akira reassures them that as Hikaru said, he also will keep going forward and not let Hikaru catch up to him.

We then see Hikaru at the Go Institute Building before his first big match against a higher dan player. We see many of the known higher dans but they are just saying hi and wishing Hikaru good luck. Hikaru's opponent is revealed to be Gokiso and Hikaru can't hide his disgust that he has to play the likes of him. Gikoso scolds Hikaru for his disrespect but congratulates him on realizing that the Shusaku signed Goban was a fake. Hikaru vows that this is one opponent that he can't lose against.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 153 - One Step Forward
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

Hikaru continues his game with Gokiso who is surprised by how calm and catious Hikaru is playing. After all the trash talking he expected Hikaru to come out firing but the game is progressing slowly. Gikoso is pleased with his own game and takes the chance to point it out. Hikaru stays calm and tells him to be quite and look deeper on the board.

The scene shifts to organizers of the coming Hokuto Cup (the Japan-Korea-China Junior Team tournament) who are going over the accomodations for the event. A discussion between some employees of the sponser company reveals the existence of a new kid from the Souther Go Institute who has shown great promise.

We then go back to Hikaru's game where Gokiso is now defeated. Gikoso resigns and thinks to himself that Hikaru must have played like he did so he could embarrass Gokiso as much as possible. Gokiso lets of his anger and asks Hikaru if he studies Shusaku's games since he seems to know so much about him. Hikaru answers that he does everyday. Akira who is playing in the same room seems that Hikaru has won thinks to himself about whether Hikaru will struggle in the Hokuto cup preliminaries.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 154 - Ueshima Appears
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

This chapter starts at Haze Junior high with Mitani getting some academic help from Kaneko. Mitani does his best to act like Kaneko is doing him a favor by helping him but she pretty much has him on a string. Akari is spotted looking in on the class and Kaneko tells her that Hikaru isn't here. Akari tries to act like she wasn't looking for Hikaru and then they talk about how everyone will be seperated when high school begins. Kaneko reassures her that Hikaru lives near by so she'll always be able to see him.

We then shift to the Go club where Koike is trying to get some excitement out of Okamura who doesn't really care much about the club since he's only there because they kicked him out of the Shougi club. Okamura is about to leave when Yabe shows up with a new kid named Ueshima who plays go against his dad often. Yabe starts talking about how they now have a real third-captain and Okamaru starts getting mad, yelling that that's his position. The characters start arguing and Okamura challenges Ueshima to a game to see who's stronger. Ueshima confidently accepts but the game ends in a big victory by Okamaru. It turns out that Ueshima, while experienced, is just not a very good player, Yabe is very dissapionted.

We then see a depressed Akari leaving a cram school, she isn't doing to well and her chances of getting into a good high school aren't very good. She runs into Hikaru's mom who tells her how hard Hikaru is working at Go. Akari sees that the light is on in his room and gains the confidence to keep trying her best.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 155 - The Two That Don't Come
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

Isumi is having pictures taken before his Beginner Dan Series game against Kuwabara Honinbo and is very nervous. Kuwabara plays some mind games with him and offers Isumi the job of being his golf caddie.

As Hikaru is heading over to watch Isumi's game he bumps into an old face, Kadowaki. The two talk about the game they played almost two years ago and Kadowaki wants to know how Hikaru could have lost three times in the pro exam. We then see Waya, Ochi and Hondo talking to each other. We find out that Isumi was undefeated in the exam while Kadowaki lost only once. Ochi comments that Honda was lucky to pass with six loses. As the group starts talking out the Hokuto cup we also find out that Waya beat Ochi, who goes crazy when reminded of it. Ochi then mentions that he heard there is a talented guy coming out of the Western Japan Go association.

We go back to Hikaru where Kadowaki tells him that he looked up to his talents but now doesn't know how to feel. As Kadowaki walks away Hikaru asks him for a game.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 156 - Hikaru vs. Kadowaki
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

We have some great color pics of the HikaGo gang enjoying some summer fun at the beach. As Kadowaki and Hikaru sit down for the match Kadowaki tries to impress Hikaru with his strong performance in the Pro exam. As he's about to tell him that he only lost one, Hikaru says "Yeah, you lost to Isumi-san." Kadowaki would have rather him focused on something else but then Hikaru confirms that losing only once was impressive. The game starts with Kadowaki wondering to himself whether he wants to be able to compete or whether he wants to get crushed again. He speaks of the feeling you get when you witness someone who's power is so great you don't think you can ever catch them.

Mean while, the Kuwabara and Isumi game has started. Kuwabara is impressed and asks the name of the kid he is playing. He then mentions how a lot of strong youngsters ahve been arriving lately and that it was worth hanging around for so long.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 157 - Memories
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

Kadowaki resigns and the sides start discussing the match. Hikaru says it was a tough game and Kadowaki compliments his ability. Kadowaki mentions that thanks to players like Hikaru, it was worth becoming a pro. Hikaru gets red and tries to laugh it off but as he leaves he can't help notice that Kadowaki seems disappointed. He then asks for the truth. Kadowaki reiterates that he thinks Hikaru is very strong but is forced to reveal that he feels the old Hikaru(Sai) he played in the past was stronger. As Kadowaki apologizes, Hikaru smiles at him and say "I think so too." Kadowaki is confused even more than he was before.

As Hikaru joins the others we find out that Isumi defeated Kuwabara by 6 and a half moku. After Waya asks where he was Hikaru tells them he was playing against Kadowaki as he walks away. Kadowaki then walks in and Waya asks him if he's friends with Shindo. Kadowaki reveals to them that he played Hikaru once in the past and got crushed. Waya, Ochi and Honda react strongly as their earlier hunch is proven true. Kadowaki explains that Hikaru seemed stronger back then and the characters are all confused when Ochi says "I told you, worrying about Shindo is a waste!"

The next scene takes place on a future day as Honda is arriving to his sensei's house. He notices some shoes he doesn't recognize and wonders who they belong to. As he walks in the room he meets an older pro from the Kansai(Western) Go Institute and also notices a younger guy sitting next to him. The child is revealed to be the new pro from Kansai named Yashiro Kiyoharu, he's 3 years younger than Honda so that would make him about 15. The older Kansai pro suggests they play a game and brags that Kiyoharu is very strong. We learn that Kansai pros are determined by Insei record and not a pro exam, thus Kansai does not have new pros pass every year. Honda remembers that this must be the powerful newcomer from Kansai that Ochi had been talking about. The game starts and Yashiro places the first stone in the middle of the board. Honda is surprised but vows that he can't lose this game.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 158 - First Hand, Tengen
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

Honda's sensei is commenting how impressive Yashiro was to the older Kansai pro and apologizes for Honda not being up to the challenge. We then see Honda and the others discussing playing on Tengen(the middle of the board) as your first move. They mention that it's rare to do that and can make the game very complicated. They comment the the young Kansai kid used the strategy very effectovely. Honda seems pretty down, he's then asked about the Hokuto cup and explains the the prelims will start in April with 4 members of the Tokyo pros and 4 members of Pros from other areas. He reveals that there's a prelim to decide the 4 Tokyo reps next week. His sensei seems that he is discouraged and tries to give him advice. He tells him that the path of a pro is long and there is no finish line, that its a life long study.

We then go to then go to the Tokyo prelim and as Hikaru and Waya are reviewing the match-ups, Ochi walks in to ask who he's playing. He's sees that he's playing someone named Yamada-san and comments that the split up all the better players so they won't knock each other off. He mentions Yamada will be an easy win for him. At this point Yamada, who was standing behind Ochi, calls him "Glasses Mushroom" and tells him to keep that kind of comment to himself. Ochi says that it makes no difference, that they are in a world where it will be continually determined who is stronger and weaker.

Honda walks in and it's revealed he will be playing Shindo. The game starts with Honda playing Tengen like Yashiro did the previous week. Hikaru says it's interesting but says it's not enough. Ochi beats Yamada, Waya beats a girl, and Hikaru beats Honda as the chapter ends.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 159 - Kansai Institute
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

We learn of the existence of another Go Institution in Japan that goes by the name of the Kansai (Western) Go Institution. While only about 1/3 the size of the Japanese Go Institution, it seems to have been gaining in strength and has one player challenging for a title for the first time in 10 years. The two institution get mixed together in the 3rd preliminaries of the major tournaments. Go players using the hall at the institute building are talking about how Kiyoharu is going to do well in the Hokuto Cup. One guy mentions how he's a pro now so calling him by his first name is rude, while another guy responds that Kiyoharu learned Go here so they practically raised him. Though someone jumps in that he surpassed them all in one month. The members then get into a discussion about how Kiyoharu will be going to high school even though he is a pro because his parents don't respect the occupation of a Go player and made him agree to go in exchange for becoming a pro. One guy comments how he advised Kiyoharu to just break off his relationship with his strict parents and how Kiyoharu responded that he'd become a top pro and make them respect him.

We then see Hikaru at his grandfather's house. Grandpa calls Hikaru and points out how he always goes to the loft whenever he comes over. Grandpa offers to give Hikaru the Goban that up there but Hikaru says he's fine with the one grandpa gave him long ago. They get ready to play a game when Hikaru asks grandpa if he realizes Hikaru is a pro and tells him to place some handicap stones. Grandpa yells that he can't have a handicap against his grandson before commenting that he noticed Hikaru has a game against a 9-dan this week. It's revealed Hikaru will be playing Morishita sensei, whom he's been studying under for about two years. Grandpa mentions that it must be a tough game then but Hikaru says that if you want to get to the top you have to beat everyone. Hikaru then almost gives his grandpa a heart attack when he says he's going to try and win by 50 moku.

We then see Hikaru at the Institute building as Saeki-san walks in and say hello. They talk about their opponents for the day. Saeki tells Hikaru that Morishita has been in the Honinbo and Mejin league and even challenged for a title twice. Not only that but Morishita has been playing very well as of late. We then see Ogata finish off a cigarette as he walks into the game room to see Akira staring back at him. Akira and Ogata begin game 5 of the Honinbo league for the 57th tournament while Hikaru and Morishita start their game, which is the 2nd round of the 2nd preliminary of the 58th Honinbo tournament.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 160 - A Moment's Timidness
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

The games between Hikaru and Morishita and Akira and Ogata are proceeding well. It seems the younger guys are holding their own. In a discussion during lunch, Morishita tells other older pros that Shindo's strength may already be above his. But that while Hikaru has played him many times, he has never played him in a real game like this. And if that matters Morishita will win.

We then shift to Korea where Touya Meijin has finally emerged after a 30 chapter break or so. He's playing the young Ko Yonha(I think he's 16) and those around are talking about how he was upset about the Meijin retirement because he is reaching ability to rival him.

Back to the Hikaru game, Morishita plays a hand and Hikaru is taken off guard. He is trying to hold on when he notices the air is different. He tells himself to stop being fearful and recover but Morishita seems to be all over him. He looks at Morishita's serious face and all he can say is "ugh." The same thing is happenning to Akira as Ogata seems confident.

Hikaru no Go Ch. 161 - The Young Lions
by Hotta Yumi & Obata Takeshi

Hikaru stares at the board beforing realizing it's time to resign. He thinks about how he'll have to start all over from the bottom in next year's Honinbo tournament. Morishita tells him how much he's improved but Hikaru talks about how he's not where he wants to be just yet. We then see Akira as he resigns his game against Ogata. Those watching the game start talking about how this game was probably difficult for Akira, playing one of his mentors and all. That that may have lead him to not play at his best. Ogata then jumps in and says that Akira played at his best, meaning that there is a clear difference in their strength and that Akira is below him. One of the pros watching notes Ogata's lack of confidence as he said the words he thinks to himself that Akira must have pushed Ogata so far that he had to say something like that to intimidate Akira.

We then shift to Korea as Hon Suyon and Ko Yonha are discussing the game Yonha played against Touya former-Meijin. Suyon compliments his older friend on playing so well against Meijin. Yonha then mentions that Touya talked to him about a kid one year younger in Japan that could compete with Yonha. Suyon goes crazy yelling that "he" can't be that strong. It turns out Yonha was talking about Akira while Suyon was thinking about Hikaru. We then find out that Suyon has been chosen as a member of the Korean teams.

Hikaru No Go 162

The chapter opens with Akira at the go salon talking about moving out and living on his own. How he wants to move away from his father. I guess he wants to become his own man. He then says he doesn't need to since his dad and mom are in China for a while. Someone comments about what he will do for meals and Ichikawa immediately offers to come and cook for him but Akira says he wants to do that stuff for himself.

Someone comments that if his parents are leaving they will miss his junior high school graduation. Akira says that he has a game that day and won't be going o the graduation anyway. Someone says Akira could have rescheduled the game for another day bu Akira said he didn't want to cause any problems.

We then move to Hikaru's graduation as the Go club is taking pictures. Mitani and Hikaru aren't there but the others take some group photos together. Akari gives the camera to Natsume for a girls team photo and then we see Hikaru sitting around thinking how this is his last day of school. He's also thinking about how Akira is playing game 6 of the Honinbo league against Serizawa(guy who looks like Roger Smith from Big O...) Hikaru wants to leave and go watch that game but his mom is still talking to Akari's mom. He goes up to Akari and tells her how he wants to leave and eat. A few feet away Kaneko takes the camera from Natsume
and takes a picture of Akari and Hikaru while they are talking to each other. Hikaru asks what school Akari will be going to, Akari isn't sure yet but she's going to enter the go club no matter what. Hikaru says hopefully there will be a club and Akari says she'll start one if there isn't.

She then asks if Hikaru will come by to the future go club sometime. She expects him to say no, asking if pros only do it for money. He says that he'll come anytime he can. Hikaru's mom comes by and they end up leaving as Akari seems sad that she didn't get a picture with Hikaru. (better thank Kaneko later)

We then go to the pro certificate ceremony as Isumi and Kadowaki are talking about how this is the "adults" year, Isumi pleads to him no to use that word. Isumi then reveals how the Go scene in japan is going through some major changes. With Zama regaining the Ouza title, Nogi winning the Tengen, Hatanaka(guy who hasn't really been introduced) beating Ichiryu for the Meijin, Isumi comments how Ichiryu's slump continues.(remember than Akira beat hima few chaps back.) Kadowaki agrees, mentioning the Akira game and how he wasn't able to protect the Kisei title. Isumi then mentions that Akira lost the Honinbo league game to Serizawa in a very close game. Kadowaki mentions how we are seeing a changing of the guard and adds he expects Shindo to join it soon.

Hikaru Chap 163

Some nice color pics and the chapter starts off by revealing the tournament to choose the 2 members to join Akira on the Japanese team. Basiaclly, all 4 main characters are facing an unknown character and if they all win their first round matches, the qualifiers will be the winner of Hikaru-Yashiro and Waya-Ochi.

Waya is thinking he's grateful he won't have to face Hikaru and gets a lil down on how Hikaru has totally supassed him. As they walk into the game room they see 4 others including Ochi but learn that the Kansai duo hasn't arrived yet. Waya starts thinking about how his opponent in the finals would be either Ochi or someone named Tsusaka 3-dan, then he tells himself to stop thinking ahead. As the games are about to start, the Kansai guys show up.

We see some of the new characters thinking about how the games are going and Hikaru's opponent thinks how Hikaru is spending 20 minutes on a hand when they only have 90 mins total. We see that Yashiro crushed his opponent and when asked if he wants to go over the game in the other room, Yashiro says he wants to watch his opponent in the next round. He looks over at Hikaru's game to see the opponent shaking his head. Yashiro watches a few more hands before looking up Hikaru's name and commenting that Hikaru is strong.

I'm personally not too thrilled about the match-ups since it seems predictable that Waya and Hikaru will win. I think a Waya, Akira, Hikaru team is lame and boring. I'd rather have a Yashiro or Ochi in Waya's place. An Akira, Hikaru, Ochi team would be hilarious as they all seem to have issues with each other. Seems to me that Ochi might lose his game, since we just had a chapter that talked about Waya beating Ochi so why do we need it again? Maybe this Tsusaka guy is really strong, Ochi will say that Waya has no chance and Waya will be proud when he wins? Bah, Hotta better surprise me, but I'll be disappointed if Waya makes the team.

Also, she sure is keeping Yashiro hidden, he shows up late in this chapter so we don't get to hear him talk or think before the games. If he was there the other characters could look at him and think stuff, she even avoided that. She must have some plans for him, but at this rate he'll lose to Hikaru and be gone, weird....

Hikaru Chap 164

Waya wins handily and goes over to watch Ochi's game. He sees that Ochi has a small lead. He notices Yashiro is also watching the game now and he looks over to see that Hikaru won his game. Ochi announces that he won by 2 and half moku and asks his Waya is his next opponent.

At lunch Hikaru and Waya are talkign about the game, Waya mentions how he matches up well with Ochi and since they are about equal when they play each other, Ochi might feel he's weak against Waya. Hikaru starts talking about Yashiro and about what Honda told them about him, Waya thinks that he's lucky they are going to knock each other off.

We see Yashiro at lunch, his fellow Kansai member who lost is telling him he has to win or they will be embarrassed. Yashiro says he doesn't care about all that and the only thing that's important is getting on the team and to do that he has to beat everyone he faces.

Hikaru and Waya bump into the guy who lost to Yashiro and they discuss whether he will use Tengen(middle of the board) on the first move. It's tiem for the games so they enter the room and sit down. Yashiro gets the first move and Hikaru is wondering whether he'll go to Tengen when Yashiro places the stone on 5-5, everyone watching is surprised since this is done even less then Tengen. Hikaru gets a little excited and places his first stone on Tengen, which surprises Yashiro greatly.

Hikaru No Go 165

The game continues with each side playing some unorthadox hands. Those watching on make various comments. We then see Waya and Ochi playing, it seems like Waya is playing well early on. Waya's first round opponent comments that Waya has control over one part of the board.

We then see that everyone else has moved to an adjacent room so they can discuss the Hikaru game out loud, they send in a player to check the progress every few minutes. They are all impressed and the older pro supervising these games states how it's too bad one of these two will fail as a team of these 2 and Touya would be interesting against Korea and China. As he says that we see Akira walking in and Kurata tracks him down. We learn that Kurata is the manager of Japan's team and is really into it because his Korean rival is the manager of the Korean team. He yells at Akira that he must defeat Korea's Ko Yonha. Akira mentions that Ko is currently playing for one of Korea's titles and he isn't the type of opponent that you can just say "Sure, I'll beat him" against. Kurata says that he knows that but reiterates that Akira must win.

As they are walking over to the game room they overhear some people talking about the Yashiro-Hikaru game. Someone says how great a game it was and that this last hand looks like it clinched the game. Another person comments how it's too bad this player is this good but won't be a part of the team. Akira is worried and runs over to the room thinking "It can't be" We see Hikaru and he has a down "Ugh" type face. Yashiro places a stone down and has a mad "arg" type face.

We'll have to wait a week to find out who won. haha!!

Hikaru No Go 166

Well, the chapter title is "Yashiro Defeated" so it doesn't take long to figure out who won. Akira looks at the game and sees that Hikaru is winning. In the other game, despite a good start, Waya is defeated by Ochi. Ochi disses him a bit and Waya is about to get angry but he tells himself it's over. He isn't really interested in the Hikaru-Yashiro game but when he sees Ochi's surprise he checks it out and is blown away too. Both of them head to the other room to discuss it.

They hear about what happened in the game from the others and the older pro overseeing the event talks about how good these two guys are. He then stops himself and congratulates Ochi on becoming the representative. Ochi leaves to watch the game and the others talk about how Yashiro is clearly better than Ochi but rules are the rules.

The press guy shows up as Yashiro resigns and he enters the room to interview the newly chosen reps when we see that Ochi is begging the organizer to let him play Yashiro so nobody will be dissatisfied with who the representative is.