Highlights

• Takeshi Obata, the artist behind Death Note, had another big hit with the manga series Hikaru no Go, intertwining Go with Japanese society.
• Hikaru no Go, written by Yumi Hotta, tells the story of Hikaru Shindo and the spirit of Fujiwara-no-Sai through the game of Go.
• Before Death Note, Obata worked on smaller manga series that did not achieve the same success, showing his journey to becoming a renowned artist.

Death Note is one of the most popular manga series of all time. Despite having ended years ago, it is still considered one of the gold standards for storytelling coming out of Japan. The creators would prove to be far from one-hit wonders and would work together on future series that would also be successful in their own right.

You knew this before Death Note, one of the creators had another successful manga/anime? What's more, did you know that it's a G-rated family drama? Read on to find out what this series is all about.

Who is Takeshi Obata?

Takeshi Obata is an acclaimed Japanese manga artist, celebrated for his exceptional talent and creativity. He gained widespread recognition for his collaboration with Tsugumi Ohba on the groundbreaking series Death Note, which became a global phenomenon. Obata's distinctive artistic style, characterized by intricate details and dynamic compositions, captivated audiences and contributed significantly to the manga's success. In addition, Death NoteObata worked on several other popular manga series with Ohba, such as Bakuman, a metafictional tale about the manga industry, and Platinum End, a supernatural series where contestants battle to become the next God (literally). With his impressive body of work, Obata has established himself as one of the leading manga artists of his generation, winning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the medium.

Before Death Note

Before the great success of Death Note, Obata worked on several smaller manga series that did not achieve the same success. Some of these series include:

• 500 Konen no Shinwa
• Cyborg Jii-chan G
• Arabic lamp (with Susumu Sendo)
• Chikarabito Densetsu -Oni or Tsugu Mono (with Masaru Miyazaki)
• Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (with Sharakumaro)

You may have noticed that in the early series, Obata was both the artist and the author. Unfortunately, these series did not please the readers and he soon became a partner as the artist for several other series. It should be noted that most of these are not available in English, so importing (and learning a little Japanese) will be the only way most of you will be able to check them out legally. However, at least a pre-orderDeath Note the series exploded in a major way.

What is going?

While you probably didn’t come to this article expecting to read about a Japanese board game, it’s important to take this unusual side quest and discuss the board game Go for a minute (and yes, the game is featured in many of the mobile games that use this word). Go is a strategic board game that originated in ancient China over 2,500 years ago. It’s played by two players who take turns placing black and white stones on a 19×19 grid board.

The objective of the game is to control more territory on the board than your opponent by enclosing empty intersections with your pieces. Go is known for its simplicity of rules, yet its profound complexity, offering virtually limitless strategic possibilities. It has deep cultural significance in East Asia and has gained international popularity as players around the world appreciate its depth and elegance.

How popular is Go in Japan?

Go has significant cultural and historical importance in Japan. While it may not be as universally popular as some other forms of entertainment (such as manga and video games), it enjoys a dedicated and enthusiastic following, especially among those interested in traditional games, strategy, and intellectual pursuits. In Japan, Go is commonly played in a variety of settings, including Go clubs, schools, and professional competitions. It is frequently featured at cultural events and tournaments, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. Additionally, Go has been depicted in Japanese literature, art, and media, further embedding its presence in the cultural landscape.

Professional Go players in Japan are highly respected, and major tournaments attract considerable attention from enthusiasts and the media. While Go’s popularity may vary across age groups and regions, its rich history and strategic depth continue to captivate many in Japan and elsewhere. That said, by the 1990s, the game was experiencing a bit of a stagnation among younger players, who felt that the game was primarily played by older players. A manga series would change that perception.

What is Hikaru no Go?

Before the success of Death Note hit the world, Takeshi Obata had another big hit with Hikaru no Go, a manga series that intertwines the worlds of the ancient board game Go with contemporary Japanese society. Now, first of all: yes, this IS a real manga! And yes, it was a huge hit in Japan! Tsugumi Ohba did not write the story for this one. Instead, those duties went to Yumi Hotta. Hotta may not be a household name in the anime and manga world (her only other series we could confirm was Yuto, a short series about horse racing), but with Hikaru no Go she made a series that left a big mark on the history of Shonen Jump. Written with consultation from 5-Dan Go player Yukari Umezawa, Hikaru no Go would end up becoming an unlikely hit in the pages of Weekly Shounen Jump.

The story begins when Hikaru Shindo, a seemingly ordinary boy, stumbles upon an old Go board in his grandfather's attic. Little does he know that this encounter will change his life forever. By touching the Go board, Hikaru inadvertently awakens the spirit of Fujiwara-no-Sai, a Go master from the Heian period. Sai's soul has been trapped in the board for centuries, longing for the chance to play the divine move, a legendary Go strategy. Finding himself bonding with Hikaru, Sai convinces the reluctant boy to play Go and becomes his mentor.

As Hikaru delves deeper into the world of Go, he discovers its intricacies and begins to develop a passion for the game. Through intense matches and personal growth, Hikaru strives to fulfill Sai’s long-held dream while also pursuing his own goals in the world of Go. We’re not sure how this sounds on paper, but trust us when we say that Hikaru no Go is as gripping a read as any other Shonen Jump manga out there. As a result of the manga’s quality, the series ran in Weekly Shounen Jump for five years and inspired a long-running anime, several video games, and a live-action Chinese remake.

The series was also published in the American version of Shonen Jump, where it became a favorite of readers for years. The anime, unfortunately, was not as popular, with the DVDs being canceled after four releases. Still, the manga gained enough popularity in the States that all 23 volumes were printed, and (as of this writing) the entire manga can be read on Viz Media's Shonen Jump app. While very different from the mature works Obata would later work on with Ohba, Hikaru no Go It's a gem of a series that any fan of the shounen genre should consider checking out.

Stream the first season of Hikaru no Go on Hulu.