Shibano Toramaru
(芝野虎丸) Shibano Toramaru is a Japanese professional player, born November 9th, 1999. As of 2017, he is one of the brightest young stars of the Nihon Ki-in. His older brother Shibano Ryunosuke is also a professional player.
He is known as one of the Three Crows of the Reiwa Era 令和三羽烏, along with Ichiriki Ryo and Kyo Kagen. He has won 12 titles.
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Early life
He learned Go from about 5 or 6, thanks to parents who were fans of Hikaru no Go.
Promotions
- 1p — 2014 (?) (1st spot for diploma, not playing the Honsen pro selection tournament as a 1st ranked insei for 3 consecutive months before Honsen).
- 2p — early 2016
- 7p — 1.08.2017
- 8p — 9.08.2019 (automatic promotion due to becoming Meijin Challenger)
- 9p — 8.10.2019 (automatic promotion due to becoming Meijin)
Big Titles and runners-up
2016
- 3rd GLOBIS Cup World Go U-20: reached quarter-finals.
2017
2019
- He became challenger to Cho U for the 2019 44th Meijin title? and won by 4-1, thus becoming the first teenage Meijin at age 19 (and with it, the youngest 9-dan in Japanese history).
- Won 67th Oza, defeating holder Iyama Yuta 3–1
- Won 6th Grand Champion Tournament, defeating Iyama Yuta in the final
- Won Shusai Prize
2020
- 68th Oza: retained title against Kyo Kagen 3–1
- 58th Judan: won title from Murakawa Daisuke 3–1
- 75th Honinbo runner-up (lost to Iyama Yuta 1–4)
- 45th Meijin runner-up (lost title to Iyama Yuta 1–4)
His 3 titles equalled Iyama (also 3 titles, although more prestigious and better paid).
2021
- 76th Honinbo runner-up (lost to Iyama Yuta 3–4)
- 30th Ryusei Tournament winner, beating Kyo Kagen in final
- 69th Oza: lost title to Iyama Yura? 2–3
- 59th Judan: lost title to Kyo Kagen 2–3.
2022
- 47th Meijin title?: regained title by beating Iyama Yuta 4–3
2023
- 47th Meijin title?: retained title by beating Iyama Yuta 4–2
- 47th Kisei: runner up (losing to title-holder Ichiriki Ryo 2–4]
- 61st Judan: won title from Kyo Kagen 3–1
- 32nd Ryusei: lost final to Iyama Yuta.
2024
- 62nd Judan: lost title to Iyama Yuta 2–3
- 49th Gosei: lost challenge to Iyama Yuta 0–2.
2025
- 63rd Judan: regained title from Iyama Yuta 3–0.
Links
Books
- Fuseki Revolution: How AI Has Changed Go (2021)
- Joseki Revolution?: Overthrowing Conventional Wisdom (2022)
- ''
The First Teenage Meijin by John Fairbairn, 2020.
Videos
- An interview on his and his brothers Shibano Ryunosuke's YouTube channel about his trip to 9th Kuksu Mountains Cup in South Korea in July 2023. His brother interviews him.
YouTube link