A. Wake. (Also Hikaru 3)

Alright, so! I read the third book, started on the fourth. But I need to finish writing up the third before I can really get into the fourth, so tonight I'll be doing the review thing. It's been a crazy sort of week, what with work hours and yesterday I stayed up a solid 24 hours because seriously, guys, doughnuts.

Anyway, H to the 3. I really am enjoying the series by this point. I will say that there are parts where I have to mock a bit (lovingly!) but so far I enjoy it about as much, maybe more, than any other popcorn read. It's much better than Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, which I enjoyed VERY much despite the ridiculous premise.

In this specific review, I want to talk about the concepts of resigning, cheating, and the maturating of Hikaru. The first two are pretty intimately tied to how I see Go, and why I enjoy reading about it, but not necessarily playing. The latter, however, is more tied into the book, so I'm going to start with that.

Hikaru is already far different than how he was portrayed in the initial installments. He's more intense about Go, more willing to play by himself without Sai's intervention. To me, that shows a more mature view of the game and consequently, life. He's growing up. Witness his reactions with the cheating cheater who cheats. Hikaru isn't exactly scandalized by the cheating, but is concerned about the reputation of his Go club, and even more, worried about Yuki, particularly when the owner of the Go salon that Yuki cheats at gets the Left Handed Man to "teach him a lesson." Hikaru is incensed that it would happen, and annoyed that Yuki would be treated like that. Sai is equally offended, though for purely different reasons. Between the two of them, they are ANGRY, and, at least for Hiaru, being angry because of principles and not because of some external stimuli, is kind of a big deal. Watching Hikaru cognitively develop is cute, and watching his interactions with Sai can just be adorable at times. He's a bit less playful than Calvin, but he's still pretty squee-worthy without being overly written. And he still thinks girls are icky.

Now for resignation and cheating. A lot of the former goes on in Hikaru, but very little of the latter. Interestingly, though resigning is part of the culture of Go and something that, as far as Chew has told me, is "okay" to do, Hikaru puts a lot of emphasis on it with regards to preteen boys teasing each other about it, which I find hilarious. It's so realistic. I don't care how right and okay it is, kids WILL find a way to tease each other about it. Just like having a different color hair or braces or anything else, kids are kind of little monsters to each other.

On a personal level, I don't like resigning--the concept or the actuality of it. I'm much too stubborn to ever ever do something like that. It is not okay to give up ever, because what if a tornado happens, or your opponent, like, dies in the middle of a game from malaria or something. Then you win, right? And yes, I recognize the improbability of the previous statements, but blahblahblah I'm super stubborn. So, that means that when Chew and I did play a few games, I wouldn't resign because that's Not An Okay Thing, and would usually be a little mournful about having to take handicaps. Not only did that make the game very frustrating for a beginner, but also made the game frustrating for Chew, who was trying to teach me in what really is the best way--from experience. For those of you who know anything about astrology, that's what happens when two Scorpios compete; for those of you who think astrology a load of bull, simply consider that both of us strive for 100% completion for ANY video game we play, and that'll give you an idea.

So, when I see the kiddos making little anime sadfaces over resigning a game, I sympathize. Resigning sucks, even those it does serve a valuable purpose in the game--namely, allowing a honorable and fair way for the loser to take his ball and go home while allowing him to save face and preventing chairs and boards being thrown.

As for Yuki's cheating habit, it made me laugh. As my nephew says, it isn't cheating if it helps you win, and I think Yuki lives by that. While I can flippantly say that cheating is simply going out of socially conditioned rules and if going outside of those rules helps, welp, that might be okay, I can see that such a rationalization wouldn't fly in Go.

Go, in particular, is a VERY ritualistic game, with a certain set of behaviors that are simply not acceptable. Because Go is such a ritualized, formal game, it seems somehow worse to cheat while playing that than, say, Candyland. I have to wonder where Yuki picked up his habits--he must have been cheating a while, if for no other reason than the fact that he's so damn good at it. Personally, I hope for a little more development there.

I'm sorry if this blog isn't quite as well structured as some of my previous posts have been. Chew just got Allen Wake, and I'm sitting here watching the progress. Oh my god, it's a good game. It's the type of game I would love if it weren't for the fact that I've mostly been spoiled on it already from Chew's playings. That being said, each new plot twist brings with it fresh horrors, and the idea of a writer trying to solve a mystery of his own devisings is one that particularly appeals to me. I'd highly recommend it. I'd also highly recommend NOT playing it while alone, because that's just a bad choice. It isn't hard horror, but it IS the sort of game that's going to make you jump a few times, particularly with the noises. Ah god, the noises.

Right now, Chew and I are debating about whether or not the title/main character's name has to do with awake, as in the state of not being asleep, or a wake, as in part of a funeral. Both can be possible, but with the theme of nightmares versus reality, I'd say it's more likely to be the former. Chew immediately thought of the latter, then went on to compare the game to the movie Inception, which I think is a fantastic comparison. Thoughts and opinions?

Hikaru no Go: Episode 2

Just finished the second book in the series. I will say, I enjoyed this episode quite a bit more than the first one. I’ve adjusted to the drama, I think, so it’s really not such a big deal to see everyone froth over Go. It remains a fascinating study in contrasts, however, as Chew is more likely to concentrate quietly, without a single, delicate sweat drop forming on his brow, or suddenly having his eyes grow in size. Regardless, the drama isn’t quite as noticeable as it was in the first episode.

I’m glad Akira is developing as a character. Seems like he got over the snit about Hikaru beating him (snit has negative connotations, and I think Akira had a fairly good reason for being morose, but it’s the best word I can think of) and is now attempting, in the best way he knows how, to be normal-ish. But if he’s been “Go-ing” for years, since he was little, even, I wonder how “normal” he can be. Go, from what I’ve seen, is a very logic-driven game, and childhood behavior completely lacks logic; forcing the former into the latter seems like it would force Akira to grow up very fast. So, while the trio at the end of the episode seem intent on his destruction for wholly sophomoric reasons, Akira probably expects them to recognize his talent and aspire to be better. But they can’t do that, because they are just in middle school and frankly, middle schoolers tend to be idiots. So, I hope nothing horrible happens to him, and perhaps he and Akira can end up being friends and suchlike. Also, he has fantastic hair; wish my hair was that awesome.

Tetsuo is a fascinating counterpoint to Akira, and I wish he was in the rest of the series more. He was a Go kid as well, pushed much more into the game by his father, and grew up resentful and hating Go and playing Shogi instead. Which makes sense to me, as I tend to be more spiteful about that sort of thing (What?! You want me to do BALLET!? NO I REFUSE GET ME INTO TAE KWON DO ASAP), and thus sympathize with the character much more. Even if, at first, he seemed to be a bit of a dick. I did get a laugh when he ripped up that book, though. I guess his behavior at the Go board is probably less than proper, what with his stabbing people at fans and suchlike, but it sure does make me giggle.

Hikaru is becoming more interesting as well, though he remains the only character in the book who acts genuinely his age and seems to have no major childhood trama, though I suppose being possessed by Sai counts. His treatment of Akari is less than stellar, but pretty typical for a boy his age. He wants to play Go on his own, without Sai interfering, which I can understand but seems like a monumentally bad idea. Turns out it is, but Sai is pretty sweet about it, and the two forge a partnership of sorts. That’ll probably be the standard for the rest of the series, with Sai and Hikaru working together and Hikaru slowly becoming better and better. I’m sure Sai’s rival possesses one of the opposing characters, and the series will end with a super dramatic face off between the two. Then Sai will go away forever (to heaven, or something equivalent?) and Hikaru and Akira will live happily ever after.

Regardless, Sai was pretty cute in this book. My favorite part was when he told Hikaru off for his thought that Go wasn’t a girl’s game. In fact, Sai treats Akari better than anyone in the series, with the exception of perhaps Tsutsui. What with the Calvin and Hobbs parallels I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, as Hobbs was known to have tea parties with Susie where there was some serious Calvin gossip, but the strength of Sai’s response was awesome.

The treatment of the female characters in the series, so far, is interesting. Akari’s attempt at Go made me laugh. Of course if someone was about to capture your piece you’d get it out of danger by taking it away! It’s logical. It makes sense. And for someone who didn’t know ANY of the rules, well. I thought it was clever. Hikaru especially has no room to judge her, what with his: “derpderp I have a ghost inside my head” complex. So far, though, we’ve only seen females as secondary characters at best, either needing instruction from males (all the girls gaggling around Akira) or failing at Go (Akari). Sai, the oldold ghost, is the only one to break that mold, as he educates Hikaru on all the famous female Go players. Makes me like Sai more and more; he’s swiftly becoming my favorite character.

As an aside, I realize as I read this that I’m heavily Westernizing it. I know next to nothing about Japanese culture, so when I read specific elements of the story (read meaning to critically consider, here), I’m sure I’m interpreting them through a Westernized ideological perspective. For example, the clubs after school and the freedoms the children are given are, to me, an example of particularly adult children or neglectful parents. Some research, however, shows me that this isn’t an uncommon situation in Japan—I was reading it wrong.

So, I look forward to continuing to read the book, and watching the characters develop. In particular, I’m watching Sai—I really enjoy the little conversations he has with Hikaru about the world around them, just the little touches to remind you that yes, Sai is from a totally different time period. A time period where they had neither umbrellas nor astronauts.

Hikaru no Go: Volume One

Well, I just finished the first book of Hikaru no Go. First and foremost, I want to admit to the fact that I've never really read manga before. The one series I read was called Tarot Cafe' and was read front to back, like a book. It seemed to have relatively few Japanese influences besides the vaguely anime-esque art, so I'm not sure it actually counts. Additionally, it was about a clairvoyant cafe' owner whose friends consisted of vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, living dolls, etc, so it tended towards the dramatic because of the subject.

Hikaru no Go does not seem to be like that. EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING, is super dramatic, regardless of subject. When Hikaru says something even slightly less than complimentary about Go, Sai sobs into his vaguely kimono-y, puffy sleeves. And occasionally makes Hikaru vomit. Akira has a Heroic (?) Blue Screen of Death about being defeated at Go, and people dedicate their lives and futures and make horrible sacrifices to play Go. People's fingertips glow. Repeatedly.

I understand this is a convention of sports manga, and I also understand that there are people for whom Go is Serious Business. It's just surprising to read such a dramatic account of something that, at least to me, is fairly mundane.

After I got over the drama, however, my general opinion of the book is approval. Hikaru behaves like a kid possessed by a long-dead Go player would, I suppose. He's snarky and thinks cooties are a big deal and considers, first and foremost, the financial gain that being a pro Go player would offer, which made me snicker. Frankly, he reminded me a bit of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes, with Sai as a more despondent, less furry counterpart to Hikaru's hijinks. I totally hope the girl who offered him the tickets (Akari?) gets set up to be a Susie, and they end up playing a rules-less, full tackle version of Go played outside and won whenever people are too exhausted to continue.

Akira is an interesting character as well, as is his father. I'm not sure whether his father is a good parent attempting to encourage his son in something his son is obviously good at and wants to continue with, or a parent who's trying to live vicariously through his offspring and mold said offspring into a little version of himself. I guess only time well tell on that one, though I'm putting my money on the former, because the series, thus far, is too interesting to do something so cliche and overused. I feel mostly sorry for Akira, as he doesn't seem to do much else but Go, obsessing over Go, thinking about Go, and solving Go problems. I bet his "About Me" section in facebook would be superboring, and he status updates would all be Go board coordinates. Hopefully he develops over the next few books, though the teaser for the second volume does seem to imply the series is moving in that direction.

As for whether the manga taught me anything about Go, well, that remains to be seen. So far, I think I've learned more from watching BoyFriend play, but I'm sure the Go will ramp up as the books continue. I'm also really enjoying the series so far, more than I expected to, so I'm sure no shortage of reviews will show up here. Hopefully they end up being less scatter-brained than this one.

-K.