As of July 2026, Hikaru no Go Season 2 aired in 2002 with 30 episodes — streaming now on Hulu. Full episode guide and where to watch below.
Hikaru no Go Season 2 poster
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Hikaru no Go Season 2

2002 30 Episodes Animation · Sci-Fi & Fantasy ⭐ 8/10

Hikaru no Go Season 2 has built a real following on among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. A single, tightly-focused season means there is plenty to get through without ever feeling padded. Its 8/10 TMDB score, built from 51 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Tomoko Kawakami leads a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. There is no real reason to keep putting it off.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Hikaru no Go Season 2 earns its spot. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Hikaru no Go Season 2 through its more ambitious moments. Season 2 of Hikaru no Go includes 30 episodes. It aired from May 2002 to December 2002. This season stars Tomoko Kawakami, Susumu Chiba and Sanae Kobayashi. Tomoko Kawakami and Susumu Chiba lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2002. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Hikaru no Go Season 2 fits the bill. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Tomoko Kawakami's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.

📡 Where to Watch Hikaru no Go Season 2

🇺🇸 United States
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🎬 Hikaru no Go Season 2 — Episode Guide

E1
The Preliminary Starts
2002-05-15
Hikaru takes the prelims to qualify for the Pro exams whereas Waya/Isumi are admitted straight to the finals being among the top 8 of the Insei program. Hikaru is intimidated by Tsubaki, a really loud and brash guy, who turns out to be his first opponent. Tsubaki plays mind games with Hikaru and won...
E2
The Last Day of the Preliminaries
2002-05-22
Hikaru is overwhelmed in playing go with adults and his second loss placed him at a precarious position (third loss means an ousting). As desperation climbs, he becomes more determined than ever by drawing his inspiration from Akira. Fortunately, his third match with Fuku started him on a winning ro...
E3
Team Formed!
2002-05-29
This is a very fun episode where Waya, Isumi and Hikaru form a team to go around challenging the patrons of the various Go salons. The bet being that they won't have to pay the admission fees in event of a win and Waya raises the stakes even higher by allowing a few moku handicap in subsequent games...
E4
Don't Win
2002-06-05
At a Friendly Go festival, Akira was invited to play a 4-way game with a council member and his three assistants. Though originally told to lose the game, Akira decides otherwise when the council member shows disrespect to Go by placing a cup on a Go board. Akira displays his amazing prowress by for...
E5
There Is Only One Winner
2002-06-12
Isumi, Waya and Hikaru decides to go to a recommeded Go Salon and Hikaru bumps into a rude young boy at the convenience store. Sai advises Hikaru not to pursue the incident as he senses that the young boy had some issues with himself. Upon entering the salon, the trio realised that it's a Korean Go ...
E6
My Name is...
2002-06-19
Hikaru plays a Korean Insei-equivilant at a Go Salon.
E7
The Pro Exam Begins
2002-06-26
The Pro Exam has finally begun, and the intensity reaches new heights after the pairings are chosen. Everyone seems so tense, except for Hikaru, who is unusually calm. Thanks to Waya and Isumi, Hikaru has learned how to handle the pressure. However, could their actions have turned Hikaru into a real...
E8
The Challengers
2002-07-03
Hikaru and Tsubaki must face each other in the Pro matches, and Akira begins teaching Ochi in an attempt to learn how strong of a level Hikaru is playing at.
E9
The Dead Moment
2002-07-10
Isumi has gone on undefeated, while Hikaru has lost only one game so far. The time finally comes for them to play each other, and only one of them can win.
E10
Whereabouts of the Win
2002-07-17
After losing to Hikaru, Isumi begins to break down and begins losing his matches. Hikaru is also having trouble concentrating, upset about pointing out Isumi's illegal move. As Sai helps Hikaru regain his concentration, Isumi faces off against Ochi. Perhaps this game will be enough to return Isumi t...
E11
Three Weeks Isn't Enough!
2002-07-24
Realizing that Hikaru is getting stronger, Ochi swallows his pride and decides to ask Akira for help. When Akira tells Ochi about the game Hikaru played against Su-Young, Ochi realizes that Hikaru is a serious threat and that three weeks might not give him enough practice. However, Ochi still doesn'...
E12
The First One to Pass
2002-07-31
The Pro Exam is nearing its end as the last three matches arrive. Ochi, Waya, and Hikaru are currently the top three, and Ochi is at the point where he'll pass even if he loses all of his matches. Hikaru and Waya must still be careful, as a loss or two could cause them to lose their spots.
E13
Waya vs Shindou
2002-08-07
Hikaru and Waya finally face each other, and both are desperate to win. However, Waya has other reasons for wanting to win besides just turning pro, but Hikaru needs to win as well! When Waya traps Hikaru in a situation where only one move can save him, can Hikaru figure it off?
E14
A Desperate Life
2002-08-14
As the match between Hikaru and Ochi draws near, Ochi becomes more and more annoyed with Akira's obsession of Hikaru. Therefore, Ochi demands that Akira recognize him as his rival and permit him to join Toya Meijin's study group if he beats Hikaru. Akira agrees to the condition, but when Ochi mentio...
E15
Hikaru vs Ochi
2002-08-21
Hikaru and Ochi finally face-off. Determined to prove his worth to Akira, Ochi goes all out against Hikaru, while Hikaru does the same. As the game continues on, Hikaru realizes that Ochi has the advantage and strives to a opening before it's too late.
E16
The Last Day of the Pro Exam Finals
2002-08-28
With all of the other matches finished, the final decision of the Pro Exams rests upon Hikaru and Ochi's match. Can Hikaru defeat Ochi, or will he be forced to play Isumi again for a chance at going pro?
E17
To the World of the Pros
2002-09-04
Having defeated Ochi, Hikaru has gained Akira's respect, and Akira is now awaiting their next match. As Hikaru wonders how his life will change now that he's become a Pro, Hikaru's mother confronts Waya's parents for advice on what to do. Also Sai begins to feel that he is no longer needed by Hikaru...
E18
Sai vs Meijin
2002-09-11
Hikaru got a call that the Meijin is to play him in the first new dan series. Hikaru denies Sai's request to play instead. Both Master Kuwabara and Mr Ogata were surprised by each other's interest in Hikaru. Orchi, Waya and Akira also came by the Institute to watch the match. Hikaru decides to let S...
E19
A Painful Match
2002-09-18
Hikaru/Sai spends half hour to decide on the first move while the others are having a field day discussing Hikaru. With a 15 moku handicap Hikaru set for Sai, Sai decides to attack early by baiting a trap for Meijin (Touya Kouyou) but which the latter is too careful to fall into. However, the Meijin...
E20
Fujiwara no Sai
2002-09-25
This episode is basically a recap of Sai's past journeys, from playing Go in the palace and his eventual suicide, playing Go through Shuusaku and then Hikaru. The second half kind of traces Hikaru's Go journey till the present - the first game btw Hikaru/Akira, set-up of Haze Jr's Go Club, Hikaru le...

🎭 Cast of Hikaru no Go Season 2

Tomoko Kawakami
Tomoko Kawakami
Hikaru Shindō (voice)
Susumu Chiba
Susumu Chiba
Fujiwara no Sai (voice)
Sanae Kobayashi
Sanae Kobayashi
Akira Toya (voice)
Yumi Kakazu
Yumi Kakazu
Akari Fujisaki (voice)
Makoto Tsumura
Makoto Tsumura
Kimihiro Tsutsui (voice)
Kentaro Ito
Kentaro Ito
Tetsuo Kaga (voice)
Yuu Asakawa
Yuu Asakawa
Yuki Mitani (voice)
Mayumi Asano
Mayumi Asano
Okumura (voice)
Takahiro Sakurai
Takahiro Sakurai
Kaoru Kishimoto (voice)
Reiko Takagi
Reiko Takagi
Yoshitaka Waya (voice)

📋 All Seasons of Hikaru no Go

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