Anime creates Go boom in Japan

The BBC reports that the anime Hikaru no Go, about a boy who is befriended by the ghost of an ancient Go master, has spawned a resurgence of interest in the game among Japanese kids.

Hikaru no go cartoonist arrested

The Mainichi news reports that Takeshi Obata, author of the "Hikaru no Go" manga series, was arrested for illegal posession of a knife, according to Tokyo police.

An officer questioned Obata, 37, in Tokyo's Nerima-ku after he was driving his car with the headlights off shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

Silver Star 2006: North Korean go software

The AP has an article about North Korea's venture making Baduk software (Baduk is the Korean name for Go). The program is called "Silver Star 2006" and will be available for download for 33,000 won (US$35; €27) from South Korean distributor ForOneBiz.

Kim Tae-gyu's article "NK Baduk Software to Hit Seoul" in the Korea Times has more details. The download site will be www.i-silverstar.com (the site seems to require IE). The North Korean company that makes the software is Samcholli General Corp.