...continued from previous page HIKARU NO GO story by Hotta Yumi, art by Obata Takeshi, supervised by Umezawa Yukari Started in #2, 1999 (6 volumes available) Overview: Hikaru was a normal elementary school student until the spirit of Sai, an ancient master of go, became trapped in his body. Hikaru's own innate ability for go starts to blossom as a result; now he is one of the higher-ranking students in the go academy, and even qualified to take the exam to become a professional go player to follow in his rival Akira's footsteps... This Issue—63rd bout: I've Come This Far - While the kids are getting serious about their chances to become a pro, two pros are about to end a title match. The first day for bout 7 of the Honbouin match was about to expire, and the defending champion, Kuwabara, makes the last move of the day. Ogata (the one often seen with Akira) must seal off his move to start day 2. After the envelope was sealed, Ogata realizes in a conversation with the old champion he had fell into a psychological trap carefully set by Kuwabara—and when day 2 started, the fatigue is visible under Ogata's eyes. Meanwhile, Hikaru stands in front of the building where the pro test is about to begin... SHAMAN KING by Takei Hiroyuki Started in #31, 1998 (8 volumes available) Overview: Asakura Yoh is a shaman who wishes to become the best of the shamans—the Shaman King. Supported by his friends, Yoh has made it to the United States for the main competition of the Shaman Fight. However, their next mission is to arrive at the competition site; but their only lead, Lilirara, refuses to help them—she claims that the Patch, who are holding the Shaman Fight, are evil... This Issue—84th Reincarnation: Lilirara's Death - Lilirara leaves the group behind her, saying she did not want to see any more people die. Just then, three more contestants appear to wrestle the information out of her, but Horohoro manages to blow the guys away. Lilirara realizes that the boys still believe in the future unlike her, and decide to help them by telling them the direction they should head. The next morning, after Yoh's group heads out, Hao appears behind her—and stabs her to death with his spirit, saying that he didn't need her in his way so she should rest in peace. HUNTER x HUNTER by Togashi Yoshihiro Started in #14, 1998 (8 volumes available) Overview: Gon is a boy who followed in his father's footsteps and became a Hunter. One of his friends who was at his side during the qualifications exam, Clapika, was on a mission as a bodyguard when he bumped into the theiving ring responsible for his clan's death. Now, he faces one of the thieves alone... This Issue—No. 082. September 2nd (part 4) - Wubohgin tries to make Clapika immobile by trying to break his bones... but is having little success. Wubohgin is confused, as Clapika's chain had to be of the "materialization" Nen, but his stamina was that of a "fortification" Nen user. Clapika further taunts Wubohgin, who finally decides to go full-strength, and creates a sandstorm to hide in. Clapika still manages to guard Wubohgin's attack, and further succeeds in capturing the thief in his Nen chain—the chain that Wubohgin thought was real was only Nen, and so the thief had fallen into Clapika's psychological trap. ONE PIECE by Oda Eiichiro Started in #34, 1997 (12 volumes available) Overview: Monkey D. Luffy is the leader of a five-man pirate ship. Soon after their entry into the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure One Piece, they came across Vivi, the princess of Alabasta. Their current mission is to safely escort Vivi back to her home country before something serious happens to her family and country... but Nami just fell ill. This Issue—Episode 130: The Fastest Speed - Nami's fever reaches 40 degrees (104 degrees farenheit). Luffy, asked by Vivi, suggests finding a doctor, but Nami says that they must head straight to Alabasta because the riots are only getting worse. However, watching the crew, Vivi realizes that the fastest way for them to go back was for Nami to get better, then head to Alabasta—especially because Nami had an extremely good sense of weather, even in the Grand Line. A day after they go off the route to Alabasta, Zoro spots a man standing on water...