Summary
Death Noteis one of the most popular manga of all time. Despite ending years ago, it is still considered one of the gold standards of storytelling to come from Japan. The creators would prove to be far from one-hit wonders though, and would work together on future series that would also be successful in their own right.
Did you know that beforeDeath Note, one of the creators had another hit manga/anime? What’s more, did you know it’s a G-rated family drama? Read on to find out what this series is.
Who is Takeshi Obata?
Takeshi Obata is a highly acclaimed Japanese manga artist celebrated for his exceptional talent and creativity. He gained widespread recognition for his collaboration with Tsugumi Ohba on the groundbreaking seriesDeath Note, which became a global phenomenon. Obata’s distinct art style, characterized by intricate details and dynamic compositions, captivated audiences and contributed significantly to the mangs success. BeyondDeath Note, Obata has worked on various other popular manga series with Ohba, such asBakuman, a meta-fictional tale about the manga industry, and Platinum End, a supernatural series where contestantsbattle to become the next God(literally). With his impressive body of work, Obata has established himself as one of the foremost manga artists of his generation, earning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the medium.
Before Death Note
Before the wild success ofDeath Note, Obata worked on several smaller manga series that did not achieve the same amount of success. Some of those series include:
You may have realized that for his first couple of series, Obata was the artist as well as the author. Sadly, these series didn’t really catch on with readers, and soon he was partnered as an artist for several other series. It should be noted that most of these are not available in English, so importing (and learning some Japanese) will be the only way most of you can legally check these out. However, at least one pre-Death Noteseries did break out in a major way.
What is Go?
Although you likely didn’t come to this article expecting to read about a Japanese board game, it is important to take this unusual side-quest and discuss the board game Go for a minute (and yes, the game proceeds many of themobile games that utilize this word). Go is a strategic board game that originated in ancient China over 2,500 years ago. It is played by two players who take turns placing black and white stones on a grid board consisting of 19x19 lines.
The objective of the game is to control more territory on the board than your opponent by surrounding empty intersections with your stones. Go is renowned for its simplicity of rules yet profound complexity, offering virtually limitless strategic possibilities. It has deep cultural significance in East Asia and has gained international popularity as players around the world appreciate its depth and elegance.
How Popular is Go in Japan?
Go holds significant cultural and historical importance in Japan. While it may not be as universally popular as some other forms of entertainment (such as manga and video games), it enjoys a dedicated and enthusiastic following, particularly among those interested in traditional games, strategy, and intellectual pursuits. In Japan, Go is commonly played in various settings, including Go clubs, schools, and professional competitions. It is often featured in cultural events and tournaments, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. Additionally, Go has been depicted in Japanese literature, art, and media, further embedding its presence in the cultural landscape.
Professional Go players in Japan are highly respected, and major tournaments draw considerable attention from enthusiasts and the media alike. While the popularity of Go may vary across different age groups and regions, its rich history and strategic depth continue to captivate many in Japan and beyond. That said, in the 90s, the game was experiencing a bit of a stagnation with younger players, who largely considered the game to be played mostly by older folks. A manga serieswould come alongto change that perception though.
What is Hikaru no Go?
Before the success ofDeath Notehit the world, Takeshi Obata had another major hit withHikaru no Go, a manga series that intertwines the worlds of the ancient board game Go with contemporary Japanese society. Now, firstly: yes, this IS a real manga! And yes, it was WILDLY successful in Japan! Tsugumi Ohba didn’t write the story for this one. Instead, those duties went to Yumi Hotta. Hotta may not be a household name in the anime and manga theme (her only other series we could confirm wasYūto, a short series about horse racing), but with Hikaru no Go she made a series that left a huge mark on Shonen Jump history. Written with consultation from 5-Dan Go player Yukari Umezawa,Hikaru no Gowould end up becoming an unlikely hit in the pages of Weekly Shounen Jump.
The story begins when Hikaru Shindo, a seemingly ordinary boy, stumbles upon an old Go board in his grandfather’s attic. Little does he know that this encounter will change his life forever. Upon touching the Go board, Hikaru inadvertently awakens the spirit of Fujiwara-no-Sai, a Go master from the Heian period. Sai’s soul had been trapped within the board for centuries, yearning for the chance to play the divine move, a legendary Go strategy. Finding himself bound to Hikaru, Sai convinces the reluctant boy to play Go and becomes his mentor.
As Hikaru delves deeper into the world of Go, he discovers its intricacies and begins to develop a passion for the game. Through intense matches and personal growth, Hikaru strives to fulfill Sai’s long-held dream while also pursuing his own goals in the world of Go. We’re not sure how this sounds on paper, but trust us when we say that Hikaru no Go is as exciting a read as any otherShonen Jump mangaout there. As a result of the quality of the manga, the series went on to run in Weekly Shounen Jump for five years, and it inspired a long-running anime, various video games, and a live-action Chinese remake.
The series also was published in the American version of Shonen Jump, where it became a favorite for years with readers. The anime, sadly, wasn’t as popular, with the DVDs being canceled after four releases. Still, the manga gained enough popularity in the states that all 23 volumes were printed, and (as of this writing) the entire manga can be read on Viz Medias Shonen Jump app. Though very different from the mature works Obata would work on later with Ohba,Hikaru no Gois a gem of a series that any fans of theshounen genreshould consider checking out.
