Point Me

Thursday, January 26, 2012

All Consuming

Oh wow, where did the month of January go? Is it possible I blew through it obliviously, due to my newest obsession?


Paul and I have been playing a lot of Go this month. A LOT of go. Like almost everyday. To the point where it like starts seeping into your dreams.

What is Go? It's a strategy game that is mostly popular in Asia, where the object of the game is to outline the most territory for your color on the board. It;s been fun learning how to play better, but it's also been frustrating. Paul and I have actually gotten in some pretty heated discussions about playing style and the feeling of futility that often comes along (at least for me) while playing. It's kind of a love-hate relationship with a board game, where you want to like and want to be good, but it also irritates you sometimes to play. You know what I mean?

I guess a certain level of drama is inherent in the game though, especially if Hikaru No Go (2001)  is to be believed. Oh what's that? I forgot to mention that in addition to obsessively playing Go, we're also watching a cartoon about playing Go? Yes. Yes we are.

The show follows Hikaru, the boy with awful two-toned hair as he enters and excels in the world of competitive Go. What's his secret? He is possessed by the ghost of an ancient Go master (the girly purple haired guy), who escapes from a blood-spattered board and into his heart (aw). It's a show that takes the mundanity of playing a board game, and makes  it seem like a drama-filled epic adventure somehow. I still haven't quite figured it out. The show is really good though, and actually inspired a new trend of playing Go amongst young people across Japan, Korea, and the USA. 

So, in conclusion, play Go, watch this show about Go, and become a board game zombie like us. Jooooin usssssssssss!

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