Hikago Sketchbook character notes
So I splurged and got my hands on the nine volumes of the Hikago manga Perfect Edition that have been released so far. Of course, the new cover art is gorgeous. Also, the pages are larger and glossy, all the color pages are included, and there are some extra bonus tidbits. One of these extras is the Sketchbook feature at the end of each volume, which is essentially a page for Obata-sensei's head sketch of a character or group of characters, followed by a page of Hotta-sensei's notes relating to the sketch subject. The notes don't always focus on the characters, but as a whole, they're interesting and fun to read. (I'm rather partial to Ogata's notes. *snicker*) I've translated them here in hopes that they will provide the fandom with extra insight/entertainment/fic ideas.
The notes are arranged in the order they appear in the volumes. Without further ado:
1) Kaga Tetsuo
In the first character popularity polls, he came in a proud second, after Sai. Although his appearances are few, Kaga is rather popular.
I wrote two stories outside the main storyline where he is the main character. That's right. He's more fitting in main character roles.
Since he didn't want to continue on forever in only a supporting role for some other person named "Hikaru," he left us pretty quickly.
Isn't he cool?
2) Mitani Yuki, Tsutsui Kimihiro, Fujisaki Akari
All of Haze Middle School's members developed through heated battles. While they do think of the club's activities as just play, it's not that way at all either. Their games feel far more passionate than pro matches.
During my research, I had a game with a high school go club.
The boy at the second board was at a complete advantage, and he played calmly and relaxedly.
But, in the endgame, he made just one mistake, and in an instant, I made a comeback.
The boy's contorted face. And his voice forcing out, "I have lost."
Standing up, he returned to his friends, saying "I totally lost," with a pained smile. Then, he went into a corner of the room and cried silently.
I will always remember not only the members of Haze Middle School, but also that boy.
3) Touya Akira
"The Improving" hero, Hikaru.
"The Strongest" hero, Sai.
And, the hero "Chasing the Mystery," Akira.
As Akira continues chasing after the unsolvable riddle, his haste and impatience are sometimes even pitiable.
Though he chases and chases after the mystery named "Sai," he can't catch him. From start to finish, Akira feels insecure and uneasy.
What a contrast he is to Hikaru, who, monopolizing Sai, can feel stable and secure.
sai vs akira
One of the few moments when Akira was actually able to meet Sai. (Translation note: "meet" as in, to touch; to meet/see and feel close to.)
I love that game.
4) Waya Yoshitaka
He's a "good guy," although he is short tempered and gets into fights. Rather than a "nice boy," he's more of a "really good guy."
Actually, when I was asked to write a few short pieces outside the main storyline, I also wrote a story for Waya (but it was turned down). Even so, he's a good guy who gets along really well with his fellow disciple Saeki and the other insei.
Lively and also considerate of others, Waya is liked by his peers. "Straightforward and single-minded," Waya is well taken care of by his master.
Waya is Hikaru's lifelong friend.
Hikaru may not notice the value of that until he becomes an adult, though.
5) Zama Oza, Kuwabara Honinbo
Although these two are title holders, they are not completely single-minded go nerds.
With Kuwabara Honinbo into publicly managed gambling, and Zama Ouza into sake, it seems that they have a variety of things they like better than go.
These two know how to enjoy life. And that is where their charm lies.
Although it's fine that they both have a great presence in the Yugen no Ma, just once I would like to see Kuwabara in the racecourse paddock heckling and catcalling, or Zama in a Shinjuku bar drinking a shot of malt.
-----I've written all that just now, but during serialization, Takahashi-san, who was in charge, complained, "Zama is more of a shouchuu type, isn't he?" (Translation note: Shouchuu is a drink typically stronger than sake.)
Is that true? Is that really true?
6) Ogata Seiji
He's a go nerd. (Translation note: For the curious--"Igo baka desu.")
He doesn't think so himself. Wearing his white suit and driving his red sports car, he assumes a very stylish air.
His master, Touya Meijin, knows what a complete go nerd Ogata is. After all, for such a long time, he's watched his disciple completely devote himself to go.
Sai also may have noticed that Ogata's passion for go is no less than his own.
Kuwabara Honinbo is also someone who has seen through him. He wants to provoke Ogata's fervor, but ends up getting involved himself.
Only Ogata himself is completely oblivious.
Because he's Ogata.
7) Honda Toshinori, Iijima Ryo, Ochi Kosuke, Nase Asumi
When Hikaru no Go was in Insei Mode, it seems that the Go Institute received frequent calls from children asking, "I want to become an insei, but how do I do that?"
The person answering the phone would ask, "At what level do you play go?" And many of the children answered, "I haven't ever played before, yet."
They were going to start playing now.
I wonder if they've learned how to play by now?
8) Hong Su Yong
I often hear that go thrives in Korea. The reason I felt that strongly was because of a certain woman's words.
This was right before I went to do research in Korea. In order to learn basic Korean greetings, I had a one-on-one lesson one time.
My conversation teacher was a Korean woman who didn't play any go at all.
I asked her, "Do you know this person?" And I showed her the picture of the Korean top pro I was planning to interview.
After only a single glance, she said to me, "There is no Korean who doesn't recognize this person."
Suyong is an insei of such a country.
9) Isumi Shinichiro
The pro exam was a severe battle. There was no room for Sai to play an active part.
Everyone faces the challenge with their future at stake. As the oldest of the insei, Isumi represented that.
Planting his feet firmly, Isumi makes a great deal of effort.
He is the one with the power to pull us from the impossible dream and return us to reality. (Translation note: impossible dream--alternatively, fantastic story.)
He is the one furthest from Sai.