Ep. 23: Akira urges Hikaru to go pro while Hikaru trains and Akira faces the Oza title-holder.
Aired on March 20, 2002
Akira discovers that Hikaru has achieved insei status, prompting him to advise Hikaru to become a professional permanently to demonstrate his undefeated abilities. Concurrently, Hikaru is tasked with advancing through the insei ranks, despite lacking experience in strategic play. In a separate development, Akira is scheduled to compete against the current Oza title-holder within the championship room. This narrative highlights the diverging paths of the two characters as they navigate their respective challenges in the professional Go world, with Akira preparing for a high-stakes match against an established champion while Hikaru focuses on overcoming his inexperience to secure his standing among the insei.
Episodes
- Ep. 19 · Hikaru Persuades His Grandfather to Buy a Go Board for Practice
- Ep. 20 · Hikaru sets professional goal after Kishimoto match and faces insei test with Ogata
- Ep. 21 · Hikaru plays simultaneous matches against Kimihiro, Kaga, and Yuki to qualify as an insei
- Ep. 22 · Hikaru faces setbacks after revealing his rivalry with Akira during the insei test
- Ep. 23 · Akira urges Hikaru to go pro while Hikaru trains and Akira faces the Oza title-holder.
- Ep. 24 · Akira attempts to prove his future dominance against the Oza through restless moves.
- Ep. 25 · Hikaru faces stagnation and fear while Sai urges him to find courage
- Ep. 26 · Hikaru Defeats Fukui and Prepares for the Young Lion's Tournament
- Ep. 27 · Hikaru plays simultaneous matches at Haze Go Club after discovering Yuki's departure and disappointment.