Hikaru no Go, Vol. 21: Great Expectations

Hikaru no Go, written by Yumi Hotta and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 1998. The series centerd on a young boy named Hikaru Shindo who discovers a go board haunted by the spirit of a Heian-era go master, Sai Fujiwara. This volume represents the concluding stretch of the narrative, capturing the culmination of Hikaru’s intense development as a professional go player and the legacy left behind by his spectral mentor.

The character designs and tactical go match illustrations were meticulously handled by Takeshi Obata, whose work on the series is widely credited with sparking a major resurgence of interest in the board game Go throughout Japan and eventually abroad. The series gained significant acclaim for its ability to turn the cerebral and often slow-paced game of go into a tense, high-stakes competitive drama. Volume 21 reflects the series' mature aesthetic and the refined artistic style that became a hallmark of Obata's later career.

Published by Viz Media in North America, this volume serves as the final installment in the English-language release. The series was met with widespread critical approval for its educational value and emotional depth, helping to introduce a complex traditional game to a global audience. The final volumes are particularly noted by collectors for finalizing the transition of Hikaru from an impulsive beginner to a determined, disciplined professional player.