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molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty cute series where I was intrigued by the story and it felt great for those that like a little paranormal suspense. I feel like my chess player kids would especially like the Go game aspect. The artwork was nice, lots of shading that gave the characters more depth than I normally see, and I was invested in this ghost finding peace and this 6th grader helping.
dorinlazar's review against another edition
4.0
This starts as what feels as pretty cliché: a ghost of an ancient go player inherits the mind of a school kid who discovers the Go board of (I presume) Honinbo Shusaku. The first few chapters struggle with the fact that kids might find the game boring - and the main character (Hikaru) fights a lot with the ghost (Sai).
I love the tone of the whole story - it obviously tries to be educational, but it does educate in a subtle way, while sacrificing a bit on the story telling side. I'm not sure if the author knew where she wanted to take the story to, it feels like she wanted to keep the ghost gimmick for longer, but only after a while she switched to a more natural evolution of the Hikaru character. I'm not saying that this is not what she intended for her character, it just feels that she plays too much with the ghost gimmick (that, if I remember correctly, gets very thin by the end of the story).
I think the four stars is a very subjective rating - the debut of the series is kind of weak - and while the first book establishes the antagonists of the story (I can't call them villains, even antagonist seems harsh) and some objectives that the hero will tackle later. But I'm not sure if someone who picks up the first volume without knowing what it is will be drawn into the story, or they will just think that it's passable, but somewhat uninteresting.
I love the tone of the whole story - it obviously tries to be educational, but it does educate in a subtle way, while sacrificing a bit on the story telling side. I'm not sure if the author knew where she wanted to take the story to, it feels like she wanted to keep the ghost gimmick for longer, but only after a while she switched to a more natural evolution of the Hikaru character. I'm not saying that this is not what she intended for her character, it just feels that she plays too much with the ghost gimmick (that, if I remember correctly, gets very thin by the end of the story).
I think the four stars is a very subjective rating - the debut of the series is kind of weak - and while the first book establishes the antagonists of the story (I can't call them villains, even antagonist seems harsh) and some objectives that the hero will tackle later. But I'm not sure if someone who picks up the first volume without knowing what it is will be drawn into the story, or they will just think that it's passable, but somewhat uninteresting.
starburns's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
micadat's review against another edition
5.0
I play chess and I found a lot of the tension of a game very similar to what happens in games of Go. The world of excitement and drama within the square of a board game. The intense focus of two people both exerting themselves to the limit in a game of calculation and intuition. I talked to a friend regarding the drama of the drawings, comparable force fields to those in Dragon Ball, even though there are no “Sayajins” here there is definitely some “force”. I practiced Tai Chi and there I was told about “chi”, or “life force”, that could be manipulated. This kind of “woo” or magical thinking is somehow very adequate to translate how it feels to be in a chess match. An energy, a tension, a vitality, a warrior spirit, something radically powerful, and very well portrayed in this Manga Series.
The relationship between a past master and a future master, a relationship of mentorship, of belonging to a tradition. This also is portrayed beautifully. That sports can be like this, “connecting past and future”, is something admirable. I cherish the experience I had reading this manga.
The relationship between a past master and a future master, a relationship of mentorship, of belonging to a tradition. This also is portrayed beautifully. That sports can be like this, “connecting past and future”, is something admirable. I cherish the experience I had reading this manga.
aya_yuuki's review against another edition
4.0
Rating for all 191 chapters.
I'm in love with this manga and I'm currently having a MAJOR manga hangover.
It was just on a whim that I picked up this series. I know nothing about Go (aka Weiqi, Baduk) and I was a bit apprehensive and wondered if I would be able to understand it. Few chapters later and I was laughing, I was giddy and I was having so much fun. I started it Sunday night at 11pm and I was still reading until 5am. I slept for an hour and started reading again. I went to work but it was a slow day and I finished the manga Monday afternoon at 4:20pm. (I actually tweeted about it so I have a record)
What draws me to this manga are the same elements that also draw me to sports mangas. People passionate about the thing they love. People working hard to better themselves, overcoming failures and striving to be the best. Character development (not only for the main character but also for the side characters) is really good. Rivalries and relationships are also well done. My favorite character has to be Sai though. His passion for Go is really touching. It must be amazing to be that passionate about something. (Not to mention he is so cute when he freaks out.)
Also, I have to give kudos to the writer (and the artist) for making a Go tournament so interesting and exciting, even for a noob. Some battles last for 4 chapters and I never got bored!
However, even though I love this manga so much, I need to shave off a star. Why? Because it's basically unfinished. I've never been so frustrated with a 'so-called' ending of a manga before. I felt like I've been duped at first. I was so infuriated that I felt like crying. However, upon further checking, I learned that the manga was suspended due to a lawsuit. Suspended and never continued. Damn, it's like when your favorite TV series was cancelled due to low ratings. The feeling, for me, was honestly close to what I felt when Veronica Mars was cancelled. No closure. And now I'm stuck in limbo.
But still, I'm in love with this series.
I laughed. I cheered. I cried. I felt inspired.
I didn't know anything about Go at first but after reading this, I've started playing on the internet. I suck though.
I'm in love with this manga and I'm currently having a MAJOR manga hangover.
It was just on a whim that I picked up this series. I know nothing about Go (aka Weiqi, Baduk) and I was a bit apprehensive and wondered if I would be able to understand it. Few chapters later and I was laughing, I was giddy and I was having so much fun. I started it Sunday night at 11pm and I was still reading until 5am. I slept for an hour and started reading again. I went to work but it was a slow day and I finished the manga Monday afternoon at 4:20pm. (I actually tweeted about it so I have a record)
What draws me to this manga are the same elements that also draw me to sports mangas. People passionate about the thing they love. People working hard to better themselves, overcoming failures and striving to be the best. Character development (not only for the main character but also for the side characters) is really good. Rivalries and relationships are also well done. My favorite character has to be Sai though. His passion for Go is really touching. It must be amazing to be that passionate about something. (Not to mention he is so cute when he freaks out.)
Also, I have to give kudos to the writer (and the artist) for making a Go tournament so interesting and exciting, even for a noob. Some battles last for 4 chapters and I never got bored!
However, even though I love this manga so much, I need to shave off a star. Why? Because it's basically unfinished. I've never been so frustrated with a 'so-called' ending of a manga before. I felt like I've been duped at first. I was so infuriated that I felt like crying. However, upon further checking, I learned that the manga was suspended due to a lawsuit. Suspended and never continued. Damn, it's like when your favorite TV series was cancelled due to low ratings. The feeling, for me, was honestly close to what I felt when Veronica Mars was cancelled. No closure. And now I'm stuck in limbo.
But still, I'm in love with this series.
I laughed. I cheered. I cried. I felt inspired.
I didn't know anything about Go at first but after reading this, I've started playing on the internet. I suck though.
lordofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanderer24's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tsitua's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
anakuroma's review against another edition
3.0
TW: vomit, suicide (past tense) of ghost character
A super fun concept-once again manga had sparked my interest in something I would has brushed off. Wish the rules were explained better. A bit of a slow start to a long series, but I'm interested to keep going!
A super fun concept-once again manga had sparked my interest in something I would has brushed off. Wish the rules were explained better. A bit of a slow start to a long series, but I'm interested to keep going!
8bitlapras's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75