People Who Want To Get Stronger Will Find a Way

Hikaru No Go is an anime and manga series centered around the ancient Asian board game of Go. The protagonist, Hikaru Shindo, finds an old play set in his grandpa’s attic, which contains the spirit of history’s greatest player.

At first, Hikaru approaches Go reluctantly and mostly lets Sai, the spirit, play in his stead. But the more he learns, the more invested he becomes. After he meets a boy his age who is about to turn pro, Hikaru wants to learn the game for real and follow in his new rival’s footsteps.

Along the way of Hikaru’s long journey to becoming a professional, he meets many friends and adversaries. Two of the former are Isumi and Waya. Once Hikaru joins them as an “insei,” an apprentice preparing for the pro exam, they take him under their wings.

Over the summer break, just before the highly selective examinations begin, Waya and Isumi take Hikaru to a variety of Go salons, teaching him to play under various conditions. Before, Hikaru mostly played Sai in his own bedroom. Now, he learns to play real people in the real world. People decades older than him. People with bad manners. People who employ all kinds of tricks to win, some of which don’t happen on the goban, or Go board.

In the episode where the pro selection games begin, Hikaru appears different. He doesn’t get intimidated as easily. He’s calm, confident, but also acknowledges his nervousness. After playing Hikaru and losing to him in the first game, his fellow insei Ryo Iijima notes Hikaru’s new aura to Waya and Isumi.

“Oh, that must be because we took him to all these Go salons over the summer! Hikaru’s really gotten strong, huh?” Ryo can’t believe his ears. “Why the hell would you help your rival, and right before the trials, too? Are you mad?!” Waya has a great answer: “My sensei once said that people who want to grow stronger will find a way. They’ll get better, no matter how.”

And even though Hikaru might have learned more and surpassed his friends thanks to their help, teaching him has not been without fruit for Waya and Isumi. “The sensei said I’ve gotten better since Hikaru has joined our lessons. Even I’m noticing I’m in great shape!” Waya says. “Taking care of Hikaru has made you stronger,” Isumi confirms.

Ryo is still angry. He rolls his eyes and storms off. In a competition where only three out of 28 people will claim a prestigious title, how could anyone hand their rivals a victory? But the trials have only begun, and who says Waya and Isumi can’t pass, too, even if Hikaru should end up winning the whole thing?

Sometimes, you can fly higher in the slipstream of someone soaring than you could ever using solely your own wings. We should support greatness where we meet it. Kindle it where we see its potential. The worst that could happen is that a handful of stardust rubs off on us—for even if we don’t lead them, the people who want to grow stronger will always find a way.