A 9-dan Go professional and a student of Touya Kouyo, Ogata first took notice of Hikaru when the latter explained a complex Go move during a children's tournament that even professional players would struggle to see. This move was actually Sai's doing. As the rivalry between Hikaru and Akira grew, Ogata played a significant role in its development by helping Hikaru get accepted into the Insei test and occasionally updating an uninterested Akira on Hikaru's progress.
After witnessing the Net game between Touya Kouyo and Sai, Ogata became obsessed with playing Sai and frequently pestered Hikaru for a chance. Unbeknownst to him, his wish was finally granted just before Sai disappeared, during a game with Hikaru when Ogata was too drunk to realize Sai was playing.
Ogata is one of Japan's top young Go professionals, having been a challenger for many titles throughout the series. He eventually won the Gosei and Judan titles after Touya Kouyo retired. His pursuit of the Honinbo title held by Kuwabara has sparked a rivalry between them. Ogata's birthday is January 17th.
