I bought the Naruto character book a month ago and liked it a lot, so much that I bought the Hikaru no Go (Gorgeous) character book. I really like it a lot, the more I sit down to read it the more I like it. In the book has Hikaru and his relation to all the characters he's ever met. Additonally the character book serves as a guide to give names to every character has has ever spoken a significant line. Secondly, the book lists kifu (match records) of all the key matches in the 17 volumes of Hikaru no Go, not limited to Sai and Touya Koyo's net go match, Akira and Hikaru's first pro match, Hikaru's winning match against Ochi in the pro exams.
Other fascinating things in this book: Time line of the story (the months corresponding to the plot) as well as the volumes those time periods were in. (Highly detailed!)
I don't suggest getting this unless you're curious about stats and kifu, unlike the Naruto book which is helpful to know ages, names, and ninka powers etc, this one is really just a nice supplement that is optional. =)
Its been a while since I blogged here.
Nervous Venus 5 has finally come after 3 years of waiting patiently. According to the back page of the manga, ch 9 was published in Amie (98) and the following chapters were published in Sumer and Winter Nakayoshi specials (2001 and 2002). Talk about a time gap. If I'm eyeballing those years right... from Amie to now it was 4 years.
The problem with Nervous Venus is that the series had set itself up for a long story, and it was Waseda's first long series. Coupled with the fact that Amie's last issue was in 98, and the twice a year release of Nakayoshi seasonal specials, getting 4 chapters to publish volume 5 must have been a pain in the ass.
As for continuity.... there isn't much of one, considering chapter 9 and 10 are only 2 of 4 chapters, the other two are side stories (Reiko's is really neat though...) good news is... we get to wait 3 years for another Nervous Venus 6. =)
There is no resolution on Sakura's return to Kanagawa (which is where I am assuming this is where the story takes place, because Kanda came from Tokyo and moved from Tokyo. Haru and Seki are both born in Kanagawa, I'm assuming from this that they reside in Kanagawa.) Remember that Sakura is the one that Seki pierced his ear with a compass for, and fell in love with her, she is also the reason why he ended up h0ing himself to one of his teachers in middle school. Sakura is also the person that was engaged to his older brother, graduated from Toudai, and was Seki's tutor. Sakura nearly runs Haru, Reiko, and friend over while trying to drive away.
Meanwhile chapters 9 and 10 are chapters where Seki and Onoda meet. Remember Onoda is the new transfer student whom every girl adores because he is so nice and sweet. Haru still hates Seki and has slowly warmed up to Onoda at least on friendly terms. Seki is weary of the new guy and wants to size him up. Onoda has no idea what is going to hit him. ^^ Onoda unsettles Seki's "glare-down-of-death in the hallway by whispering to him that his fly is down. Seki gets embarrassed and runs away. (Angry)
Meanwhile Kanda is dealing with his feelings for Seki (still... poor boy...).
Hikaru no Go 17 is good... nice resolution and transition to the new Jr. tournament. =d Hikaru and Akira are looking older than 14 in some of the shots... nearly bishy... scary...