Akari Fujisaki

Akari is friendly, patient and supportive. She tolerates Hikaru's impulsive behavior and remains interested in what he is doing even when he becomes increasingly preoccupied with Go.

Her own approach to the game is much less competitive. Akari is willing to be a beginner, learn slowly and enjoy playing without measuring herself against professional standards.

She also cares deeply about Hikaru. Her friends notice her romantic interest in him, although their relationship remains primarily that of long-standing childhood friends.

Akari begins as a complete Go novice and learns gradually after Hikaru introduces her to the game.

She never approaches insei strength and remains a recreational school player. Her participation is nevertheless consistent enough for her to join Haze's Go Club and take part in its girls' team.

Her progress demonstrates a different relationship with Go from Hikaru's: the game can matter without becoming a profession or an all-consuming competitive pursuit.

Akari is present before Hikaru discovers Sai and therefore sees the dramatic change in his interests from the outside. She is puzzled by his sudden fascination with a game he had never previously cared about.

She later joins the Haze Go Club and helps keep school Go active after Hikaru's ambitions move beyond it. Her own development continues on a much smaller scale alongside the professional story.

Akari also remains part of Hikaru's ordinary life as his professional commitments expand. She represents one of his strongest connections to friends who knew him before Go reshaped his daily routine.

Hikaru Shindou is Akari's childhood friend. Akari begins learning Go partly because of Hikaru Shindou, and her friends recognize that she has romantic feelings for him.

Kimihiro Tsutsui welcomes Akari into the Haze Middle School Go Club and helps provide an environment where she can continue learning.

Yuuki Mitani is another member of Haze's Go Club during Akari's time there.

Tetsuo Kaga is one of the older Haze students connected to the club's earliest tournament team.