This review may contain spoilers
My eyes are still puffy one day later
I CANT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH
I haven't read the manga or watched the anime, so I was NOT prepared for what was coming.
Nostalgic Setting:
I was instantly drawn to the nostalgic setting, where technology was just up and coming. Wealth was displayed by ownership of cell phones, where students may have simple brick phone, others had flip phones, and the wealthy had swivel phones. Playing Go on a computer was a breakthrough in allowing public anonymity and also providing a platform to involve the masses. I loved the scene were Hong He bought a computer home, and he and Shi Guang and played on it together. This made me feel the simple fascination of technology, rather than its present purpose as a de-humanizing tolling machine.
Scenes were comfortable and refreshing. Homes were lived-in, and lighting and color was diffuse and moderate, all making me feel like I was at home. I found myself enjoying the conversations and activities, seldom fast forwarding unless I was too excited to continue a part when the scenes switched.
Characters:
Shi Guang is endearing -- he always carries a silly smile, banters with his friends, and acts like a child when he can. He easily shares his emotions, but may mask negative feelings with a cheerful performance until he pokes a bit, and then covers it again with banter. I didn't agree him at times and probably scolded him myself, but I still liked him nevertheless and supported him for being true to himself. It's lucky to feel the appreciation for a character who is not all good nor perfect, but who is human and able to be forgiven.
Hong He is even more heartwrenching. This silly boy often puts others above his own needs, and he would go to the ends of the earth for those he cares about. Literally "bu ke qi". He's a sweetheart who bubbles up with love and you can see his heart eyes. Anything that hurts this precious boy (often self-inflicted because he cares about others more), stabs me a bit in the heart.
Chu Ying is the source of my tears. First, he is adorable and funny. His enthusiasm as a 1000 year old is comically placed as he acts like a child when it comes to Go -- unable to keep his itchy fingers away. Most importantly, he is a mentor I wish I had. He was always present to guide Shi Guang, kept him company throughout the hardest hurdles so he never had to face them alone, and was a reliable safety net. Their small fights with each other helped them learn more about themselves. Chu Ying sought Go but found friendship to be harder to leave. Losing him felt like losing my purpose in life - the source of happiness, friendship, and comfort. I felt like a part of me has died even though characters end when shows end -- he really left a big hole in my heart.
Yu Liang plays the juxtaposition of Shi Guang - being proper, serious, and intelligent. I'm not quite convinced of this love/hate relationship for the brotherhood. I wish Shi Guang let Yu Liang know about Chu Ying, since Chu Ying was basically Yu Liang's love. Without it, I couldn't really appreciate their honesty and trust, or even a sensible reason why Yu Liang still held on the Shi Guang even though his skills obviously showed long years before he could catch up. However, I'm so glad that Shi Guang and Yu Liang got some time for brotherhood - it was more important for Yu Liang than it was for Shi Guang, because Yu Liang always felt like he was fighting the war alone without support from peers. I'm glad that he got to experience the joy of friendship in the end.
I'm really sad that I completed watching this and won't be able to experinece watching it the first time again. I went out today with my eyes all puffy, and would burst out in tears again when I had time alone. Honestly thinking of getting a Chu Ying for myself so that he doesn't have to disappear.
I haven't read the manga or watched the anime, so I was NOT prepared for what was coming.
Nostalgic Setting:
I was instantly drawn to the nostalgic setting, where technology was just up and coming. Wealth was displayed by ownership of cell phones, where students may have simple brick phone, others had flip phones, and the wealthy had swivel phones. Playing Go on a computer was a breakthrough in allowing public anonymity and also providing a platform to involve the masses. I loved the scene were Hong He bought a computer home, and he and Shi Guang and played on it together. This made me feel the simple fascination of technology, rather than its present purpose as a de-humanizing tolling machine.
Scenes were comfortable and refreshing. Homes were lived-in, and lighting and color was diffuse and moderate, all making me feel like I was at home. I found myself enjoying the conversations and activities, seldom fast forwarding unless I was too excited to continue a part when the scenes switched.
Characters:
Shi Guang is endearing -- he always carries a silly smile, banters with his friends, and acts like a child when he can. He easily shares his emotions, but may mask negative feelings with a cheerful performance until he pokes a bit, and then covers it again with banter. I didn't agree him at times and probably scolded him myself, but I still liked him nevertheless and supported him for being true to himself. It's lucky to feel the appreciation for a character who is not all good nor perfect, but who is human and able to be forgiven.
Hong He is even more heartwrenching. This silly boy often puts others above his own needs, and he would go to the ends of the earth for those he cares about. Literally "bu ke qi". He's a sweetheart who bubbles up with love and you can see his heart eyes. Anything that hurts this precious boy (often self-inflicted because he cares about others more), stabs me a bit in the heart.
Chu Ying is the source of my tears. First, he is adorable and funny. His enthusiasm as a 1000 year old is comically placed as he acts like a child when it comes to Go -- unable to keep his itchy fingers away. Most importantly, he is a mentor I wish I had. He was always present to guide Shi Guang, kept him company throughout the hardest hurdles so he never had to face them alone, and was a reliable safety net. Their small fights with each other helped them learn more about themselves. Chu Ying sought Go but found friendship to be harder to leave. Losing him felt like losing my purpose in life - the source of happiness, friendship, and comfort. I felt like a part of me has died even though characters end when shows end -- he really left a big hole in my heart.
Yu Liang plays the juxtaposition of Shi Guang - being proper, serious, and intelligent. I'm not quite convinced of this love/hate relationship for the brotherhood. I wish Shi Guang let Yu Liang know about Chu Ying, since Chu Ying was basically Yu Liang's love. Without it, I couldn't really appreciate their honesty and trust, or even a sensible reason why Yu Liang still held on the Shi Guang even though his skills obviously showed long years before he could catch up. However, I'm so glad that Shi Guang and Yu Liang got some time for brotherhood - it was more important for Yu Liang than it was for Shi Guang, because Yu Liang always felt like he was fighting the war alone without support from peers. I'm glad that he got to experience the joy of friendship in the end.
I'm really sad that I completed watching this and won't be able to experinece watching it the first time again. I went out today with my eyes all puffy, and would burst out in tears again when I had time alone. Honestly thinking of getting a Chu Ying for myself so that he doesn't have to disappear.
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