Banjou no Alpha (Yakusoku no Shogi / 盤上のアルファ)

Habu Yoshiharu, 9-dan

9-dan is the highest rank of professional shogi players.

Habu-sensei, what do you think is the enduring appeal of shogi?

Well, one could say that, with respect to shogi, the possibilities are endless,

Shuto Shimbun Reporter Akiba Shunsuke

Of course, to completely understand it approaches impossibility,

But one could, with time and perseverance...

come to occasionally comprehend it, understand it, and then use it to improve one’s skills...

So in that way, I think that is a big part of how shogi might be appealing.

Habu-sensei, how many moves can you predict in advance?

Well, to put it simply, I think around 10 to 15 moves.

And, depending on any one move, there are countless ramifications with each.

Add it all up, potentially maybe up to 100 moves.

If I could see myself from half a year ago, I would want to tell myself...

You will discover shogi.

And it will change your whole life.

Banjo no ALPHA ~The Promised Shogi~ Episode 1: Their Return Match

SIX MONTHS AGO

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Shuto Shimbun Local News Department

- Akiba-san! Akiba-san! - What is it?

Akiba-san, the boss is waiting! You should go quickly!

I’m busy.

- Why didn’t you come to see me sooner?! - I was in the middle of something.

Shuto Shimbun Local News Department Head Arai Shotaro

What is it?

You’re being transferred out of the local news department.

Eh?

It’s been decided. You’ll be transferred out of the local news desk at the end of this month. That’s all.

I cannot accept this. Please tell me the reason.

Do you know what determines human relations?

It’s what you like and dislike!

Being in charge of police news requires teamwork.

You keep quiet about tips, and you dislike supporting your juniors? Who do you think you are?

Do you think having a scoop is that great?

You’re A Conceited Prince of Misunderstanding!

Saito Keiko

Doesn’t he know how much I’ve contributed?

I wake up at 4am everyday, and I run around all day long until sunset.

And he says, “Do you think having a scoop is that great?”

a “Conceited Prince of Misunderstanding?!”

Ah, damnit. Are you listening?

Hm, I’m listening.

but then I also think...

If I’m not constrained to 20 working hours a day, I can spend more time with you.

Why do I have to move to the culture department?

Being in charge of shogi? Shogi? I’ve never played it!

Shogi is pretty interesting if you try it!

Until I became in charge of the shogi club at my elementary school, I’d never even touched...

Maybe I should quit..?

Eh?

Your happiness is escaping through that sigh.

It has escaped. Far far and away...

I have to think about what I’m doing. So please wait a bit longer.

About what? - About getting married.

Marriage? When did you start thinking about marriage?

When? I felt like it’s about time.

There was time for it, but it’s not now.

What?

I think we should give each other some space. Yeah.

Give each other space?

I’m giving this back.

Later.

Hey!

Keiko!

Wait!

Keiko...

Keiko.

Whoa!

- What’s wrong? - Thief! Thief!

Wait! You! Who’s the thief??

Weren’t you the one who said I could stay over?

- What? - You don’t remember anything?

LAST NIGHT

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Um, tonight, I’m honored to be receiving the Pulitzer.

This is entirely due to the constant love and support of my wife, Keiko.

Keiko. Keiko...!

One more cup!

Hostess of Suimei Shizuka

Congrats on your Pulitzer!

It’s laughable, right?

Who would think that someone who hopes to get the Pulitzer someday would be in charge of shogi next month...

Shogi? That’s great.

What are you talking about? Who reads the shogi section in the newspaper?

Perhaps tone it down. We are close to Shogi Hall.

Hey.

You’re too close!

Don’t make fun of shogi.

Sanada-san, calm down.

- Apologize. - What?

I’m telling you to apologize to shogi!

Who are you?

He’s a shogi player.

A shogi player? - Yeah, that’s me.

Former 3-dan Sanada Nobushige

If you don’t apologize... Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Stop it! What are you doing?

He’s weak..!

You said you’d let me stay if I don’t call the Police.

Do you remember?

If yes, then good.

I’m hungry.

Hey, do you have any food?

Wait.

I might’ve said you could stay over, but there’s no way I’m okay with letting you dirty my place.

Leave!

If you’re going to be like that, there’s a thing called the Police!

Yes... Call them if you must!

Okay!

I’m leaving!

Culture Department Head Tsurumaki Goro

Ah but I’m grateful to have the star writer from the local news desk join us.

I don’t think I’ll be here for long, but pleased to meet you.

Well, compared to the news desk, one could say we are a little relaxed here...

Well, please don’t stress too much!

Here we go.

Oh, right. This is Hisamoto. She’s in charge of Go.

Culture Department Hisamoto Sanae

Nice to meet you.

Basically, you’re in charge of shogi, and Hisamoto is in charge of go...

... but when it gets busy, please help each other, okay?

Understood.

And your basic duties are to update and review the weekly tsume-shogi corner.

Tsume-shogi is a small problem in which the goal is to check the opponent’s king.

Also when there are professional matches, you’ll have to report on the proceedings.

- I understand. - Well then, let’s get going.

- What? - The greetings.

It is customary in Japan for new employees to visit and greet the people they work with.

Right now, we’re right in the middle of 3-dan League.

3-dan League

3-dan League?

You don’t know 3-dan League? - No...

I see.

Then what about the fact that to become a pro shogi player, you must be in the Shoureikai?

I’ll look into it. - Okay, okay.

Shoureikai: A group created by the Japan Shogi Association (JSA) to promote and encourage players to become professional level shogi players.

In order to be a professional shogi player, one must first join the Shoureikai.

You play against other people in the group.

If you win, then you gradually increase in rank.

- Do you follow? - Yes.

When you become a 4-dan player, you officially become a professional player.

The final test before becoming a pro, that is the 3-dan League.

- You play other 3-dan ranked players? - Exactly.

Well, if you become a professional player, you can receive match fees whether you win or lose...

... and you can make a living simply by being a shogi player...

But to go from a 3-dan player to a 4-dan player is extremely difficult...

Only four people per year.

What? Only four a year?

Right? That’s a narrow window of opportunity.

Moreover, you have to do it before you’re 26. It’s extremely competitive.

- There’s an age limit? - Yes

We’re here. The Shogi Hall, a shogi sanctuary.

Shogi Hall, Reporter’s Room

Ah... Senda-sensei. Hello.

Senda Shozo, 9-dan

Ah, hello.

As always, your tsume-shogi corner is well-received.

Thank you.

Allow me to introduce to you our new reporter in charge of shogi. This is Akiba.

Pleased to meet you.

Let’s take a seat.

Is he your apprentice? - Yes.

Shoureikai 3-dan Amano Kohei

Yes, that’s right!

His opponent is running out of time.

Allotted Time

Out of time?

The allotted time is determined for each shogi match.

In other words, your thinking time.

One Minute Shogi

If you use it up, in 3-dan League, it becomes one minute shogi.

You have to come up with a move within one minute.

I resign.

Sensei! Congratulations!

I wasn’t the one who won.

Very true.

Um... You don’t play until the end?

Hm?

Well, the king is still alive.

Well, that’s the elegance of shogi!

Giving up is elegance?

What an interesting thought!

Tsurumaki-san, can I borrow him?

Please! Go ahead!

- Welcome! - Good evening.

- Sensei, hello. - Come in.

- Oh, hello. - Thank you for last time.

- Oh? You’ve been here before? - Yes.

The question earlier, the one about giving up before the end.

Apologies. That was a weird question. - No no.

It’s true that it does look like you’re giving up too early and you’re throwing in the towel...

But, that’s not it.

In shogi, there is no such thing as luck.

And when you lose, it’s completely because of your poor approach.

There’s no excuse.

When you realize, after both sides carefully ruminating on their moves...

“In nine moves, my king will be checkmated.”

You resign with dignity. It’s generally like that.

How do you feel when you resign?