Sitting at the halfway mark of the 75-episode run, this episode represents a critical structural pivot, the transition from Hikaru's growth as an insei into the grueling gauntlet of the pro exam, the culmination of everything the training episodes have been building toward. It follows directly from Hikaru's match against Suyong, which served as a final proof-of-concept for his strategic development. From here, the series commits to an extended stretch of high-stakes competitive drama as rivalries among the insei candidates intensify.

Runtime23 min

Filler StatusCanon

Plot ImportanceHIGH

Air DateJun 26, 2002

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