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hikaru no go 棋魂: episode 35

#proud boyfriend

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#hikaru no go #hikarunogo #shi guang #hu xian xu #qi hun #akihika #hikaru no go meme #hikago #the queen’s gambit

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no one: sg to yl: ;)

(@snicker-doodles)

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At the beginning I thought Shi Guang (Hikaru) wasn’t cute at all, but he smiles so sweetly and plays so well and by episode 15 he becomes so cool and handsome I literally can’t read subtitles anymore - Apart from the style and confidence he slowly gains, he loses some weight too so he changes just like manga Hikaru. He’s very energetic, makes various gestures and so fun to watch.

Now I can’t imagine anyone who could pull out this role better, I read that director didn’t even consider other actors for this part, only Hu Xian Xu. If japanese go for live action remake too I’m sure they find best Akira and Sai (idol-ish looking and far older than their characters, how they like it), but I bet they can’t find somebody like Hu Xian Xu for Hikaru, and Hikaru is the sunshine and the heart of the series.

Just started the Hikaru no Go Chinese live action adaptation... I'm only on the sixth episode but I already cried a few times cuz of nostalgia. The show so far does such a good job of capturing the spirit of the animanga and the characters that it really got to me a number of times. Like this scene, I actually spent most of it laughing my ass off and tearing up cuz it was so cute (they actually put in fake ass petals!) and precious. And just in case you're wondering, yes, all the characters you used to ship are still shippable. Appearance-wise they might not be what you imagined for a live action adaptation (since I'm sure we all had our own ideas about who should play who), but trust me, the energy is still there and so is the shippability quotient. 😁

I actually had a LOT of doubts before I started the show, almost wasn't gonna watch it at all cuz I loved Hikago too much, but so far it seems like this adaptation is really doing it justice.

I mean, just look at how adorable live action Sai is ("Chu Ying")!

Yes they changed the names to Chinese names, but trust me, that won't impact your enjoyment...in fact I'd say it's actually really fun figuring out who everyone is, not to mention, most of the time it's pretty obvious.

If you're a Hikago fan, please give it a try, I hope you won't be disappointed.

#Hikaru no Go #shi guang #hu xian xu

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Sai’s represenation in Qi Hun

Why is Chu Ying a time traveller, and not a ghost?

Sorry, guys, I’d like to clear one misunderstanding JUST IN CASE you don’t know: Chinese censorship bans ghosts in the art media.

There are certains conditions where ghosts or ghost-like creatures are allowed, but it was not the case with Hikaru no Go. When the live-action was announced, the main question was if Sai can appear at all? A scientific/sci-fi explanation was needed, no matter how crappy or stupid. The showrunners had mainly 3 options to survive:

Sai a living human

Sai is an alien

Sai is a time-traveller

When the first trailer was released, Sai appears in the last few seconds, as if the showrunners say: “Hey, surprise! We made it! We are bringing you Sai!” The best part is that while the rule must be followed, it is still a paper formality, especially for a web drama (not shown on TV). Chu Ying is a time-taveller, but in all other aspects his representation is preserved to the maximum. His appearance from the go board, transperent body and residing in Shi Guang’s heart are all there. Moreover, he can hide and appear whenever he pleases, which is a brilliant addition. The scriptwriters went as far as to make numerous jokes about him being “not” a ghost.

Most importantly, with respect to the manga they didn’t send Sai back in time a few years earlier to make him reunite with Shi Guang. They made him disappear forever and they kept the high price of love that Shi Guang had to pay. His grief was not devalued.

So, this change is understandably upsetting for manga readers, but it was awaited and feared by drama viewers, who expected to see a disaster alien. Personally, I liked the supernova star idea, because it is consistent with the imagery of stars and space in the manga.

There is more censorship in the drama. For example, there are certain restrictions to naming real cities or smth like that: characters live in the fictional city of Fangyuan. There are “Fangyuan international airport” stickers glued to the entrance doors, when Shen is departing to Japan. BL in dramas is banned and replaced with “romantic friendship” and a vague notion of “strong cp” (Character Pair). Also (maybe not censorship but a visible pressure) there are no morally grey characters. Sai is good, Ogata is good, Akira’s father is bad and then good, etc. In sum, story-wise Sai’s character changes are more important. His attitude to go and Shi Guan are different and, in some aspects, more broad (or messy).

Aaaaaand! Still something weird is about to happen, guys! The production company Sugarman, which made Qi Hun, will soon release a drama Dear Missy, and they announced a crossover with Qi Hun. The male lead is played by Juck Zhang (Chu Ying/Sai), and GUESS who’ll make a guest role? Hu Xian Xu (Shi Guang). There is no info of what is going to happen, BUT there is an official video that hints that Hu Xian Xu will play Shi Guang and meet that main lead…

The white text says: “Will they meet again in the parallel world?“  Then a voiceover (by Hu Xian Xu, I think) says: “My best friend. Who disappeared. If this person is really important to you, you’ll definitely meet again”. The closing text says: “Please, wait for an easter egg in the Dear Missy x Qi Hun crossover”. So, there will be a meeting or a reunion of the sort? If so, how crazy, I don’t know. Let’s wait and see.

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Sai’s represenation in Qi Hun

Why is Chu Ying a time traveller, and not a ghost?

Sorry, guys, I’d like to clear one misunderstanding JUST IN CASE you don’t know: Chinese censorship bans ghosts in the art media.

There are certains conditions where ghosts or ghost-like creatures are allowed, but it was not the case with Hikaru no Go. When the live-action was announced, the main question was if Sai can appear at all? A scientific/sci-fi explanation was needed, no matter how crappy or stupid. The showrunners had mainly 3 options to survive:

Sai a living human

Sai is an alien

Sai is a time-traveller

When the first trailer was released, Sai appears in the last few seconds, as if the showrunners say: “Hey, surprise! We made it! We are bringing you Sai!” The best part is that while the rule must be followed, it is still a paper formality, especially for a web drama (not shown on TV). Chu Ying is a time-taveller, but in all other aspects his representation is preserved to the maximum. His appearance from the go board, transperent body and residing in Shi Guang’s heart are all there. Moreover, he can hide and appear whenever he pleases, which is a brilliant addition. The scriptwriters went as far as to make numerous jokes about him being “not” a ghost.

Most importantly, with respect to the manga they didn’t send Sai back in time a few years earlier to make him reunite with Shi Guang. They made him disappear forever and they kept the high price of love that Shi Guang had to pay. His grief was not devalued.

So, this change is understandably upsetting for manga readers, but it was awaited and feared by drama viewers, who expected to see a disaster alien. Personally, I liked the supernova star idea, because it is consistent with the imagery of stars and space in the manga.

There is more censorship in the drama. For example, real cities should not be mentioned or smth like that: characters live in the fictional city of Fangyuan. There are “Fangyuan international airport” stickers glued to the entrance doors, when Shen is departing to Japan. BL in dramas is banned and replaced with “romantic friendship” and a vague notion of “strong cp” (Character Pair). Also (maybe not censorship but a visible pressure) there are no morally grey characters. Sai is good, Ogata is good, Akira’s father is bad and then good, etc. In sum, story-wise Sai’s character changes are more important. His attitude to go and Shi Guan are different and, in some aspects, more broad (or messy).

Aaaaaand! Still something weird is about to happen, guys! The production company Sugarman, which made Qi Hun, will soon release a drama Dear Missy, and they announced a crossover with Qi Hun. The male lead is played by Juck Zhang (Chu Ying/Sai), and GUESS who’ll make a guest role? Hu Xian Xu (Shi Guang). There is no info of what is going to happen, BUT there is an official video that hints that Hu Xian Xu will play Shi Guang and meet that main lead…

The white text says: “Will they meet again in the parallel world?“  Then a voiceover (by Hu Xian Xu, I think) says: “My best friend. Who disappeared. If this person is really important to you, you’ll definitely meet again”. The closing text says: “Please, wait for an easter egg in the Dear Missy x Qi Hun crossover”. So, there will be a meeting or a reunion of the sort? If so, how crazy, I don’t know. Let’s wait and see.

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Stars and Stones: Qi Hun details (Hikaru no Go)

There are some lovely details in the drama adaptation. For anime fans who didn’t watch Qi Hun (Hikaru no Go) yet, I’ll put a spoiler warning, where necessary. In the drama, these are the names:

Shi Guang - Hikaru Shindou

Yu Liang -  Akira Touya

Chu Ying - Sai Fujiwara

Hong He - Waya Yoshitaka

In the manga Hikaru’s key color is yellow (sunlight). In the drama, this color appears from time to time to express inner strength or character development. As a child, Shi Guang likes yellow, then, as a teenager, he wears clothes with dull colors like someone who “lost his light”, but gradually regains “true colors”. He appears in yellow when he returns to go, and when he takes the pro exam. Color schemes of the golden trio appear during the pro exam in their clothes and lucky wristbands (Hikaru - yellow, Waya - red, Isumi - blue).

Go game is heavily based on the astronomy. In the drama, the go club is located in the chemistry class (like in the manga), but later moves to the astronomy class, which occupies the top floor and the roof (for night sky observations). Likewise, a divine move is represented as a supernova star.

Yu Liang has a name “Akira” engraved on his go board. He also uses a nickname “Akira” on the Internet go server. 

He Jia Jia (Kaga Tetsuo) claims that Yu Liang lost to him on purpose and disrespected him. But at the school tournament years later Liang instantly recognizes He Jia Jia and greets him with a nod. The latter nods in return: they finally reconcile.

Yu Liang keeps his fashion style from manga with blue and dark clothes (moonlight). There is special artistic approach to the “light” in his life. Liang’s time during the school go club, pro exams and further professional career is depicted as mostly sepia/cold/gloomy. Liang’s house is dark. But when Guang shows up, colors become warm and light. Guang “illuminates his world” (pay special attention to lights and color during the house training in Episode 36).

Yu Liang likes music by Maksim Mrvica and Maria Carey. We can instantly see by his musical tastes, that he’s a hopeless romantic. Mariah Carey was probably selected for her gentle sound, which is not too silly or “pop“. Maksim Mrvica is a pianist, who was very popular in Asia. Liang is holding an album “The piano player", notable for the track “Claudine”, which has a separate Chinese lyrical version “信望愛” (“Trust Hope Love”) about the parting of lovers. Liang gets a VIP ticket to Maksim’s concert as a gift from his father, and it’s a rare opportunity to see a foreign artist. But he misses the event because… he’s a hopeless romantic, right.

During the Go camping arc, Yi Liang and Shen Yi Lang (Isumi) are both teachers. But Liang gets his own accomodation, while Shen has to share a room with 2 students (Shi Guang and Gu Yu). It is implied, that Yu Liang was supposed to live with Shen, but the organizers made changes out of respect for his high status and professional rank. Liang ended up isolated and the only teacher who didn’t make friends among students.

When Liang loses a motivation to play, he collects puzzles (Claude Monet “Water lilies”, “Mona Liza”). He starts from the angles until he reaches the easiest part (face). Or he’s treating a puzzle like a go game, starting from the corner and moving to the center :)

In the drama, Xiu Ying (Hong Suyong) is a friend of Yu Liang. The most probable reason for this, is that he becomes a foil to Shi Guang: he resembles Guang in appearance and behaviour, and Liang feels at ease with him. Liang either likes the same type of people, or he missed Guang and befriended a person like him. Unsurprisingly, his Korean friend is the one who returns his hope in Shi Guang. [I wonder if there’s another parallel between an orange juice they are drinking together and Ep. 36 juice tease? Hehehe]

In episode 22, when Shi Guang buys wristbands and a lucky bean, Chu Ying asks Guang to keep his exam entry card safe, because it may be lost when he’s shopping. Guang replies: “It’s here. Why are you more anxious than me?” and then thanks Chu Ying for being around. This might be a metaphor for the end of their journey. BONUS: Check out this post about the lucky bean by @dorkshadows​ . The character on the lucky bean says “Win” which is pronounced “Ying” but in fact that’s “Ying” from Chu Ying. Afterwards Guang plants the bean in the pot, but it fades. Another metaphor.

Hong He (Waya) gets a red scarf from his girlfriend (luck, love, marriage). Likewise, when Hikaru experiences the loss, he shows up in a black scarf (mourning).

[MAJOR SPOILERS] Hong He’s decison to end his career is a tragic mistake. In the hospital, his father says “Go… Play…“ and, upon hearing about his son’s decision, starts to weep. He obviously changed his mind after suffering a stroke and thus learning to appreciate life. But Hong He feels too guilty to notice. Hong He’s excessive care for others above his own needs destroys his own happiness. He serves as a foil to Shi Guang, who lost his father figure but worked it out and continued to play.

[MAJOR SPOILERS] In the final episode Yu Liang asks Shi Guang to trust him just like he trusts himself. Later, when the trust is established, Guang passes the fan - his most precious item - to Liang. The spontaneousness of the moment highlights absute trust.

***

There must be more details and ideas hidden in plain sight, but I need to rewatch once more. Also, Yu Liang / Shi Guang scenes need a separate visual analysis due to many moments that are shown rather than spoken.

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Fated rivals and friends

- Please trust me at all times. Just like how you trust yourself.

- I promise.

棋魂│Hikaru no Go

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This ship sails itself.

Gon and Killua’s reconciliation storyline

There are some comments about Gon owning an apology to Killua and “irreparable” damage to their relationship…

Apology is part of a bigger picture - Killua and Gon’s storyline of Reconciliation. This plot thread is positive well-written and deeply emotional in the Election arc  I’ll like to share some observations…..

Self-Destruction Drama with Gon happened before:

It was none other than Killua who exposed and criticized Gon’s fatal flow. Killua tells to teacher Wing: - He says that all he wants is to fight against Hisoka, but after seeing his match yesterday, I have a feeling he enjoys the thrills…

Wing: You say that he was enjoying a situation that could have cost him his life?

Killua: Yeah. I know because I’ve felt the same way. Although, I take circumstances into consideration, too. Once he’s in the zone, he loses sight of everything else.

When Killua removed the needle, he himself got carried away right before the Palace invasion.

So, Killua understood Gon’s attraction to danger in addition to all other risks. But in the battle he was hurt and pushed away. Now he is completely out of it.

In the hospital, Killua’s his resentment speaks volumes about his confidence. He is reminded about Gon’s issues, feels deeply hurt and mistreated. He tries to console himself with the idea that things are “the same as always”… yet he realises that it’s time to turn the tide - to speak with Gon honestly and change things.

But now he can’t.

Killua’s emotional responce is more subtle, than it is usually perceived by general audiences. He’s looking through the window and can’t make out the details. His mind sees only a shadow of Gon. Killua lost connection with Gon.

“If you want to know a person, find out what makes them angry.” - Gon

“I’ll do it…!! But… only this time I don’t forgive you. Apologise. I will definitely make you feel better again. So I’ll definitely make you apologise!!!!” - Killua

Killua is torn between hurt, affection and fear. He is calling out to Gon TO BE HEARD BEHIND THE GLASS. To bind Gon’s soul to the Earth. Wake up. You owe me an apology. You cannot die and leave me feeling bad about you. I promise I will definitely heal you, and you will apologise to me.

Of course, Gon will apologise. Killua knows that, that’s why he is clinging to this hope. It is kind of unhealthy, since he desires to “hurt” and heal Gon at the same time, but he’s processing grief. It is realistic. Someone close is dying, and you can’t even talk or see each other. He wants to give Gon a second chance, and that may not happen.

His lament is accidentally witnessed by Knov.

Knov understands the boy’s anguish as an expression of care. He tactfully hides his eyes behind the glasses and offers moral support, even adding: “Being by Gon’s side and calling out to him is also necessary”. But by venting his feelings Killua gathers strength and uses grief to his benefit, his dark resolve reflecting Gon’s:

It is humiliating to come back and ask a family for help. Besides, the family was always Killua’s vital weak spot. But now he finds the courage to face his “worst enemy”. He is successfully assertive and manipulates everybody to escape with Alluka. He survives a car chase, a deadly hunt and whatnot to reach Gon on time. His behavior is borderline crazy. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Gon” is exactly what happens in the Election arc.

If we see it from Gon’s perspective, Killua had every right to feel hurt and leave him after the Palace invasion. Especially when Killua rescued Alluka and found his goal for the foreseeable future. Especially, because Killua had to risk his and Alluka’s lives to travel back to the hospital instead of wandering into the sunset. And because Killua would live with Alluka from now on and benefit nothing from saving Gon. Killua had “nothing” to do with Gon anymore.

And yet, Killua doesn’t think the same. On the contrary, his fight for Gon in every chapter proves how strong his bond with Gon is, it is not irreparable, it is unbreakable.

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#hxh meta

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well this truly was A Decade. i loved you. i hated you. goodbye 2010s.

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[Animation Artwork from the BANANA FISH Blu-ray Disc BOX vol.3 “Animation Guide”] pt.3

Please do not repost.

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it’s funny that the “friendship group of all boys with only one token girl who has no female friends” trope is so prevalent in media given that i have never in my life witnessed that phenomenon in reality

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TBH, collecting pretty rocks and stuff is both something which I would do and something which would impress me

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The women all reply with “Actually enjoy my fucking life in safety for ONE day.”

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A message to everyone who claims that Ash’s death was a “bury your gays” scenario