Hikaru no Go

In both anime, the main characters (Chihaya and Hikaru) are introduced to a Japanese competitive game since they are kids (in Chihayafuru the sport is karuta, and in Hikaru no Go it is the board game called go), which they became hooked on. They both try to became the best in the respective sport, aiming for the title of "Meiji" (the master of the sport). In Chihaya's case, she strives to became a "Queen" (the best female karuta player). In order to achieve their dream, they go to various tournaments and have to catch up to defeat their rivals (for Chihaya it is Shinobu; for Hikaru it is Akira). For that purpose, they join the go and karuta clubs (Hikaru joins; Chihaya makes one) for the group tournaments, gathering friends. They are very similar in the development of the main characters that strive to become masters themselves.  read more 

both feature characters striving to be the best in the world at a fairly niche game 

In both, at first the main characters are not interested in the game, and found it boring (Hikaru no Go) until they met(played the game with) someone around their age who is very strong in the game (Go/Kurata). Both of them got inspired by that person and wanted to keep playing, to improve, to catch up to the someone and to win. Also, both are rather unpopular traditional Japanese games. There's no club in their schools, they started a club and found it hard to recruit people into their club. 

Introduction to a competitive yet uncommon "sport" Showcases character growth and development both inside and outside of the "arena" Both contain intensity and bouts of seriousness but manages to incorporate light humor where appropriate.  

Chihayafuru although little success maybe is the best anime of this season (winter 2012). Discover the joys of not only an anime very well done and entertaining, with a game unknown but equally interesting. Don't stop at the first episodes, let yourself be carried away by the wonderful episodes! Unknown game, just like Hikaru no Go I do not know if we can call it a common point, but you will also be carried away by this game if you wear a little interest in the anime. Both want us to enter their world and it is successful.  

Both have main characters who slowly become good at a niche game,and have intense matches. 

If you like intense game anime then they are really alike... both are really good... when i was watching Chihayafuru... it was still ongoing... so i really wanted to find something alike.... and i found Hikaru no Go..... they are sooo alike.... both 10/10!! 

Hikaru no Go and Chihayafuru both feature characters wanting to become the best at a competitive game after encountering someone who is really strong and inspiring them to enjoy and love Go/Kurata. Both series and mostly about the main characters growing and becoming better at the game and the friendships they develop on the way. They are both enjoyable series and each made me become interested and want to know more about GO and Kurata. Some people don't watch animes like these because they believe the shows will be boring show about a game they don't even understand but they will really regret missing out on amazing shows like these.  read more 

All the characters are driven by their love for the sport Both anime have a time progression and character growth Both show a competitive side of traditional "boring" sport Both shows have a naive main character Both shows could of been longer with no problem  

Both anime, despite a large time difference in their creations, focus on the fun and seriousness of relatively unknown, but competitive, Japanese games (for lack of a better term). Overall, both anime are truly enjoyable and I highly recommend them to any person who is sick of the usual standard-battle anime and want to find an interesting and non-violent, but still entertaining anime. 

Hikaru no Go has a similar premise and setting as Chihayafuru. Both stories are told about a slow "sport", which is learned by the characters and used in competition. Both main characters are overly powerful, but need to establish this right, to really get one of the best in the show. Both have rivals, and both main characters work in a club environment for this kind of "sport". Both shows have a rather slow pacing and people who like that, because that truly gives the characters a lot more room to develop, should watch Hikaru no Go. 

Both are centered around an obscure type of game native only in japan, with good charicter development of both protagonists and antagonists 

These anime focus on unusual Japanese games. Chihayafuru is about a young girl who starts a karuta team which is a traditional Japanese poem game. She wants to go all the way to nationals and higher. Hikaru no go focuses on the game of 'go' and how a young boy is haunted by a ghost named Sai who dominates the world of 'go' but he can only play if Hikaru lets him. so what if hikaru want to win by himself? What will happen to Sai? Both are filled with comedy and love which make the anime more interesting to watch.  

Both anime are taking about games: -Hikaru no Go = Go game. - Chihayafuru = Karuta game Both Hikaru and Chihaya-the protagonist- start playing cuz they want to reach there ravels level how were the reason for there interest in the game. Toya Akira for Hikaru and Wataya Arata for Chihaya. Chihaya has a good hearing, Hikaru has a good memory and high concentration ability. That what make them both can play a very interesting game with there competitors.  

Chihayafuru is like Hikaru no Go's older more refined sister. They're both very similar in terms of overall progression and plot development. Both are about learning a new competitive game and striving to improve. Both feature the creation of a school club for said competitive game. They are however very tonally different. Hikaru no Go is lighthearted while Chihayafuru is emotional. However, they share the same competitive tone. As well as prominent rival figures. 

both are niche board game themed anime series as well as also focusing on characters that are interested in it. 

An old-fashioned japanese sport, of sitting in calm poses, presented in a very favorable light, using extensive motion blur for simple movements. A tournament where our hero improves, a long ladder of ranks to reach, from highschool club to japanese masters, the goal of becoming the best. A triangle of love and one of rivalery, unresolved throughout the year, keeping the viewers interest, through tedious explanation of minute rules. 

Game. One are cards, the other is Go. But the relationship between Yuugi and Atemu are similiar to the relationship between Hikaru and Sai. Atemu and Sai are both old "ghosts" "reborn" on the future from a long time ago. 

Both share very similar themes of maturing through games, friendship, and earning respect. If you liked one you'll probably like the other for the same reasons, though Yu-Gi-Oh is easier to get into and more epic. 

Because they are “cool kids” type anime centered on young protagonists that are introduced to a competitive game, after discovering the secrets of a spiritual artifact. These talented young individuals are up-and-coming prodigies, aided by the guidance of an ancient spirit that has extensive expert knowledge of the game’s mechanics. Along the way, the young protagonists meet new players, forming friendships and even rivalries to make things interesting. Both shows premiered in the early 2000’s, though ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ is a card game with more high stakes showdowns, intense mind games, and over-the-top opponents; while ‘Hikaru no Go’ has a more down-to-earth approach of a niche board game, ‘Go’. Both have a mix of comedy, drama, and fun showdowns throughout. read more 

Series centered on a main protagonist who plays a game and wants to be the best at it, while having a companion helping him get better who was a professional of that game in the past and has been "reborn" inside his mind. 

Both of them are quite similar strategy games:Yu-Gi-Oh being a card game while Hikaru no Go is a board game.While Yugi Muto has Yami Yugi accompanying him along the journey, Shindou Hikaru has Fujiawara no Sai with him as he slowly develops a passion and love for Go.Hikaru no Go is more related to reality as well since the game really does exist. 

both are based around supernatural competition as well as also focusing on a blonde hair mc as well too.  

In the same way, the main characters kind of stumble into their dream--that THING that they're actually good at and can devote themselves too. They start at the bottom, each finding a rival who is far above their reach and fighting until they're on equal ground with that person. A boy, a ghost, and the world of Go. 

They're both similiar with how both of the main characters have a rival and mentor; although they have different interests, their passion for what they love doing is so great and immense that it'll almost automatically capture a person's interest after one or two episodes. They're both addicting and very good; Glass Mask and Hikaru no Go will both have you wanting more, even after you finish watching these two series, along with their sequels of course. 

These two show have a very similar feeling about them. Both are about rising young stars. Both have that perfect rival who are actually good at what they do, and aren't some overly confident brats. I'd say, if you like one, you will definitely love the other. Glass mask has some romance to go with it. ❤ 

Both MC's start at the bottom of the industry, and garner interest from someone of the same age at the top of the industry who considers them their "one true rival". Both characters rapidly improve over the series. They also have similar animation and production value, and both are very bingable series.  

Prodigies playing similar games (one prodigy has a little more help) is the basic concept of both of these shows. I actually never made it far into Hikaru no Go, but the roots of these shows are completely similar. 

Both are animes that tell about intellectual games: go in Hikaru ni Go, shogi in Shion no Ou. Shion no Ou also involves an interesting detective plot. 

Both Hikaru no Go and Shion no Ou are about kids playing Japanese board games professionally. While Hikaru no Go is long and Shion no Ou is much shorter, both are touching stories that contain both emotional and fun elements. 

Both involving the main characters playing a board game. Entering their respective leagues and aiming for the top. Both are very dramatic in their storytelling. 

Both are about sports and character development. 

Watching Hajime no Ippo immediately reminded me of Hikaru no Go. Both anime are about a person getting stronger to face a specific opponent. And there are also many similarities between the characters of both. so be sure to check one of these great anime out! 

First off, both are competition-based anime about persistent and good-hearted protagonists trying to rise through the ranks of their particular sport. On top of that the rivalry between Hikaru and Akira is incredibly similar to the rivalry between Ippo and MIyata in Hajime no Ippo. Hajime no Ippo does not have the supernatural element of Hikaru no Go however, and has lots more physical action. 

Both are about developing skills 

divine game playing skills!  

Both series are identical in that they revolve around a strategy, board game. The main idea is the same, the main characters will fight to prove him/herself in their own sport, all the while appearing to be gifted by the gods.  

Their plots both revolve around table games. The protagonists show a god-like mastery of their games, though they show no interest in the game at first. The protagonists' rivals spur them on to become better at the game in similar ways. The supporting casts, for the minimal amount of screentime they get comparatively, are both very distinctive and memorable. The characters in Saki are all skilled female players with few skilled males, while it is the opposite case in Hikaru no Go. 

Both table games, they make the games look very intense, trying to go pro 

Main focus on historical traditional board games that require a lot of skill and strategy, male protagonists, no romantic subplot, and an awesome soundtrack you'll be humming a long time after watching these. 

About a young boy learning to play a board game. Much longer and not so much about his inner struggles, but an excellent show nonetheless.  

Two slice of life's centering a boy MC who has a hobby playing a board game, Hikaru plays 'Go' and Rei at 3-gatsu plays 'Shogi'. Both main characters are considered prodigies and also go through a period where they are unable to win. They are mocked by someone who is stronger than them. They are both very young when they become pro and this makes others look down on them until proven otherwise. Also both MC's have a rival of the same age, this is crucial that how they pushes Mc to grow through circumstances itself. 

The mystery of whether Sai and Hikaru being the same is quite similar to Light and Kira in Death Note. Although i only got this inkling around the 40-50th episode of Hikaru No Go, it truly reminded me of Death Note. 

Hikaru no Go is like a cute kindhearted half brother of Death Note - Artist is same for both series - Main character works together with a spirit (Hikaru no Go) / death god (DN) that no one else can see. - Mind games and loads of thinking 

First and foremost-without it being too important-Death Note and Hikaru no Go have the same author and the same artist. Although, phenomenally might not look alike-at all-they share a number of similarities, strong enough to support the recommendation. For example, both the protagonists are male geniuses, whom have the ability to be able to see supernatural creatures, dead, and invisible to common people. Those secret existences remain by their side during the anime, while contributing in achieving the goals of the humans they serve. Moving on, we have the strong sense of antagonism between the main and supporting characters, as well as the enthralling way disputes are being conducted or battles being won. Generally, the awe and excitement the results in each episode inflict. The art and vibe are completely different, in Hikaru no Go the art is more childish and the vibe cheerful, while Death Note is more dark and heavy with a kind of strong and majestic edge in the drawings. Same thing applying for the music. However, they share the same core, the sense of intelligence and secrecy, therefore I recommend Hikaru no Go, the prelude to Death Note, the baby idea Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata conceived before creating the masterpiece.  read more 

These two show have a very similar feeling about them. Both are about rising young stars, and have some sort of spirit guiding them to their goal. Both have that perfect rival who are actually good at what they do, and aren't some overly confident brats. I'd say, if you like one, you will definitely love the other. ❤ 

Both anime have extremely hard working protagonists, who start out inexperinced in a field (circus performance in Kaleido Start and playing go in Hikaru no Go) and than grow as performer/go player as the anime progress. Both have a similar length, similar art styles are similar overall feel. 

both stories focus on characters with high aspirations and their struggles along the way on their journey also with elements of supernatural in it as well. 

Although the trappings are very different (including the medium: playing igo in one, acting in the other), both series focus on the rivalry between a person who is practically royalty within the medium (with a famous parent, wealth, and public expectation of success) and another who stumbles onto the medium with no prior experience, but who finds a remarkable talent and passion for it. Both seek to master the skill enough to attain an ultimate goal (the hand of god for hikago, the lead in a legendary role for glass mask). And in both, the established character finds new drive when they realize the talent of the other and recognizes them as their lifelong rival.  read more 

The rivalry is very same. Ayumi and Akira are very proud and really awesome at their skills, and there's the same thing with one of their parents. in addition, Seiji Ogata resembles Hayami Masumi 

Both are character-based shows featuring multiple characters striving to succeed in their fields, showing the highs and lows of real competition. If you thought Ping Pong was too short and find yourself enjoying Hikaru no Go after the first few episodes you're in for a real treat; it's over 100 episodes long. Don't let that number of episodes intimidate you though, there are very few dud episodes. The main characters all progress in their own way just like in Ping Pong, and also shows bits and pieces of their lives outside of the world of their chosen pursuits. It's dissimilar in only a few ways- Hikaru no Go rarely gets as deep in themes as Ping Pong, and there's a supernatural element that drives the plot for the beginning of the story. read more 

Both these animes share their story not so much in a way of following every single point/move that occurs in each and every game but instead create an atmosphere that encompasses what their own niche world is really about. 

Both are made by Takeshi Obata and are slices of life that hold a higher level of intensity in the series and make what may even see as dull subjects incredible. 

same premise with both having a focus on trying to achieve dreams. 

Both main characters are possessed by ghosts and take time to get used to the situation. They also get advice from the ghosts that helps them (attempt to) accomplish their goals. And who could forget the fated departure of the ghosts into heaven, which is quite emotional in both series. 

Both main characters get posessed by a dead person / ghost. At first they don't like it too much, but as the story continues they build up a deep relationship with the ghost.  

These two show have a very similar feeling about them. Both are about rising young stars, and have some sort of spirit guiding them to their goal. Both get into difficult situations because of the mysterious abilities given to them by the spirits. And both learn to play without the help of the abilities given to them. I'd say, if you like one, you will definitely love the other. ❤ 

The Two Heros gain the ability through supernatural means,to play something. and over time develop interest for said thing. 

Both series involve a boy and a spirit of a gifted person (swordman/go player) as main heros. During both series these main heroes evolve mastering their skills to achieve greater aims (aims are indeed great nearly unreachable). Yo and Hikaru have a number of rivals that accidentally become their friends and admit superb force of the hero. However, Shaman King is more about fighting and action, while Hiraku no Go concentrates not only on evolution of skills but process itself. Nevertheless, both are really easy to watch even though the number of series is about 70. 

The older animation and art styles are very similar. In both of the shows, the main character is a sort of prodigy. As the animes progress, the main characters begin to practice what they do best and begin to love what they are good at. Both of these shows are very enjoyable and easy to watch! 

A complete novice in a game rises to be one of the top players in both shows. The major difference is that in Angelic Layer, it's mostly her innate talent that allows her to succeed. In Hikaru no Go, you get a much better sense of how much hard work matters in the game, and how difficult it is. There's a lot more suspense in Hikaru no Go, too- in Angelic Layer the outcome of the game is easily predictable before it starts.  

If you like the idea of a board game being the focus of where all the action is, you will definitely need to watch Hikaru No Go if you like Akagi. 

The Two Animes have very similar Characters Design, and they have in common the passion of the hero who is always in contrast with habitual Golfers or Go players who are usually very calm, that result to very fun situations 

We can see a rivalty between two talented boys: one is intelligent, well-mannered and has brilliant skills 'cause he trained himself since he was an infant; and another is quick-tempered, wilful and not willing to play or participate in competitions for the first time. Really, Hikaru is very like Kai ! But Akira is more proud than Amamiya is.