His character arc shifts from a "prodigy" to a "seeker." His encounter with Hikaru in this episode solidifies his view of Hikaru as a target he must overcome.
Some viewers and guides, like the European Go Federation , have noted minor technical errors in Go board depictions during this arc, specifically regarding stone placements in high-level match re-creations.
お前とは打たない (Omae to wa Utanai) Hikaru No Go Episode 7
anime differences for this specific chapter, or do you want to move on to the arc? Hikaru no Go Episode Guide - European Go Federation
Shows a growing internal struggle. He is beginning to realize that if he lets Sai play all his games, he will never truly be Akira's rival himself. His character arc shifts from a "prodigy" to a "seeker
Hikaru has officially started middle school and is trying to establish a Go club with Tsutsui. Akira, still haunted by his previous losses to "Hikaru" (actually Sai), tracks him down at his new school. Akira challenges him to a game, but Hikaru—who is starting to feel the pressure of being a "fraud" and wanting to play his own Go—refuses to play.
Continues to desire games, but is forced to watch as the friction between Hikaru and Akira grows. Production Note Hikaru no Go Episode Guide - European Go
Akira Toya tracks Hikaru down at Haze Middle School to demand a rematch, only to be flatly rejected. Key Setting: Haze Middle School and Kaio Middle School. Plot Summary