Hikaru no Go
series overview by Jareth David

OP1: "Get Over" - dream
OP2:  "I'll Be The One" - HAL (eps 31+)
ED1: "Bokura no Bouken" - Kids Alive (eps 1-12)
ED2: "Hitomi no Chikara" - Arisa Mizuki (eps 13-30)
ED3: "SINCERELY ~ever dream~" - dream (eps 31+)

Story:
A struggling student in the sixth grade stumbles into the Bill & Ted method of passing a class. When you need to learn historical info, find a historical figure. After a chance meeting, half of Hikaru Shindou's consciousness is inhabited by the wayward spirit of a Go master from a previous millenium. Sai drowned himself after being exiled from the emperor's palace and his spirit is earthbound due to some unresolved issues. He convinces young Hikaru to play Go for him by placing stones for him (kinda hard for a non-corporeal being) in exchange for assistance with history exams.

Hikaru eventually develops a passion for the game and wants to learn to play himself after developing a rival in Akira Touya, a young Go prodigy (by using his Sai's borrowed skills at the game). Will he ever be able to beat Touya without Sai's help?

If this doesn't sound like the most thrilling premise for an anime series to you, but maybe this will be your Slam Dunk! I was a rabid anti-basketball person since the NBA is just one big shoe commercial, not a sport anymore, but one day I gave Slam Dunk a chance and got the rest of my anime group into it after I saw what a great show it was...much to my surprise. Give the first 4 eps a look, you should be hooked after that.

more story info: JD's review

CHARACTERS info

HOW TO PLAY GO