It's a pity that the "un-animeified" part of the manga is (or at least is said to be) of a lower quality than the part that went to make the series. I guess that finding an interesting continuation to the story of Hikaru is a bit problematic.
On the other hand, HnG is one of the best series when it comes to interesting side characters. A lot of them could warrant an episode or two in their own right (and indeed, Izumi got thee episodes, if I remember correctly). The last episode contained brief flashes of their lifes, and that was one of the great kicks in the whole series, as I remember it
Eh, time to stop ranting and raving perhaps. My point is that I'm clutching onto the hope of spin-off series (Kaga no Shogi, anyone?
) By the way, is there anywhere one might read up on the mangaka that drew HnG? In English preferrably, hehe.