It could have been the end -perhaps it was originally intended to be - but Im glad it continued for the extra arc afterwards and we got a bit more depth on some of the characters.
In this volume, and its been a long time since I read it, theres a lot of rounding up and revisiting. We see both Hikaru and Akira face opponents they had already played.
Then there's the sequence with the school go club and how the people in it have changed and handed it on. That also has a sense of both finality and continutity to it.
Did you notice that Hikaru asked to play Akari to relax before his game with Akira, just like Sai did before his game with the Meijin? It very neatly shows you how Hikaru is growing up and following in Sai's footsteps.
I do definately thing this was meant to be the end, but I suppose the manga was so popular they couldn't just give up riding the gravy train..... I ain't complaining. (except about missing Sai, boohoo!)
Yes, I noticed that too, I liked how the Sai vs Akari match was illustrated too - as though he was actually playing.
The continuation, I can see they've preempted it here by mentioning a international youth cup when they mention SuYong. I think, give the success of the story it was nice that they could indulge a bit in what followed - I find the pace changes and we see in more detail, theres more discussion and philosophy later, they wouldn't have been allowed to start a series like that, surely.
"Did you notice that Hikaru asked to play Akari to relax before his game with Akira, just like Sai did before his game with the Meijin? It very neatly shows you how Hikaru is growing up and following in Sai's footsteps." I hadn't thought of that - nice thinking!
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timeasmymeasure
Re: The End
Date: 2010-09-01 08:57 pm (UTC)In this volume, and its been a long time since I read it, theres a lot of rounding up and revisiting. We see both Hikaru and Akira face opponents they had already played.
Then there's the sequence with the school go club and how the people in it have changed and handed it on. That also has a sense of both finality and continutity to it.
Re: The End
Date: 2010-09-01 09:05 pm (UTC)I do definately thing this was meant to be the end, but I suppose the manga was so popular they couldn't just give up riding the gravy train.....
I ain't complaining.
(except about missing Sai, boohoo!)
Re: The End
Date: 2010-09-01 09:19 pm (UTC)The continuation, I can see they've preempted it here by mentioning a international youth cup when they mention SuYong. I think, give the success of the story it was nice that they could indulge a bit in what followed - I find the pace changes and we see in more detail, theres more discussion and philosophy later, they wouldn't have been allowed to start a series like that, surely.
Re: The End
Date: 2010-12-22 05:20 am (UTC)I hadn't thought of that - nice thinking!