Ep 37. The Pro Exam Begins

Hikaru No Go season 1 episode 37, titled "The Pro Exam Begins," takes place after Hikaru and his rival Akira have passed the preliminary rounds of the pro exam. As the episode begins, Hikaru and Akira arrive at the site of the final stage of the exam, a hotel in Kyoto. They are greeted by the other candidates who have also made it to this stage, including some of Hikaru's old friends from the Insei school.

The candidates are given a tour of the hotel and shown to their rooms, which are equipped with Go boards, stones, and other amenities. Hikaru notices that his room is next to Akira's and reflects on how far they have come as rivals and friends. The candidates are also introduced to the proctors for the exam, who are all respected professionals in the world of Go.

The actual exam begins the next day, and the candidates are divided into groups of four to play against each other. The matches are timed, and the winner of each group will advance to the next stage of the exam. Hikaru is paired with three other candidates, including a girl named Koyo Toya, who is the sister of Akira's mentor, and a player named Ochi, who Hikaru has lost to in the past.

The matches are intense, with each player pushing themselves to the limit to prove their worth as a pro. Hikaru is initially nervous, but he soon settles into his game and starts to play with confidence. He faces off against Koyo in the first match, and the two play a long, complicated game that goes back and forth. Hikaru eventually wins, thanks to a risky move that catches Koyo off guard.

The next match is against Ochi, and Hikaru approaches it with a mix of determination and caution. Ochi is known for his aggressive style of play, and Hikaru knows he must be careful not to fall into any traps. The match is intense from the start, with both players demonstrating their skill and strategy. Hikaru manages to stay ahead of Ochi for most of the game, but in the final moves, Ochi makes a daring move that catches Hikaru off guard and secures his victory.

Hikaru is disappointed but not defeated. He knows that he still has one more match to play, and he is determined to win it. He faces off against a player named Morishita, who is known for his cautious, defensive style of play. Hikaru takes a more aggressive approach, using his speed and unpredictability to keep Morishita off balance. The match is close, but Hikaru eventually pulls ahead and wins, securing his place in the next stage of the exam.

The episode ends with Hikaru and Akira reflecting on their performances and acknowledging each other's skill. They both know that they still have a long way to go before they can become true pros, but they are determined to keep pushing themselves and each other to greater heights.