**March Comes in Like a Lion** is a TV anime adaptation of the hugely popular manga by Chica Umino (creator of Honey and Clover), serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal.
It tells the story of Rei Kiriyama, a lonely boy who became a professional shogi player at age 15, growing as a person through his encounters with the warm Kawamoto sisters.
Season 1 (2016) and Season 2 (2017) were produced by Shaft, receiving high acclaim for their overwhelming visual beauty and delicate psychological portrayals.
The series boasts an incredible lineup of theme songs including "Answer" and "Fighter" by BUMP OF CHICKEN, and "Sayonara Bystander" and "Flag wo Tatero" by YUKI.
A masterpiece that deeply moves viewers through a story of loneliness, family, bullying, and recovery told through the world of shogi 🦁
✨ Highlights
🧑 👥 Main Characters
❓ FAQ
🌟 注目コメント
01① Chica Umino's Story of "Loneliness and Recovery"
Chica Umino, praised as a master of youth ensemble dramas with "Honey and Clover," confronts the heavy theme of "loneliness" head-on in this work.
Rei Kiriyama is a 17-year-old professional shogi player who lost his family, couldn't get along with his adoptive family, and lives alone in an old Tokyo apartment.
The careful portrayal of him learning human warmth and gradually opening his heart makes viewers feel saved alongside him ✨
02② Shaft's Overwhelming Visual Beauty
Production is handled by Shaft (Monogatari Series, Madoka Magica, etc.).
The artistic color design reflecting light on water surfaces, changing seasons, and characters' emotions is breathtaking.
The contrast between the cold blue expressing Rei's loneliness and the warm orange symbolizing the Kawamoto household is particularly brilliant 🎨
A work with extremely high artistic value as animation!
03③ Masterpiece Songs by BUMP OF CHICKEN and YUKI
Season 1 OP is "Answer" by BUMP OF CHICKEN. The lyrics that accompany Rei's inner cries bring tears to your eyes.
Season 2 OP is "Sayonara Bystander" by YUKI. A refreshing masterpiece that gives courage to move forward.
The latter half Season 2 OP "Flag wo Tatero" is also by YUKI, with a powerful message that resonates deeply 🎵
Every song perfectly matches the world of the series — truly gems of anime music!
04④ Realistic Portrayal of the Shogi World
March Comes in Like a Lion is extremely realistic as a shogi anime.
The lonely battles of professional shogi players, the tension of matches, and the harshness of the competitive world are carefully depicted.
The amazing thing about this work is that even without knowing shogi rules, you get drawn in by the players' emotions and human drama 🏆
With authentic shogi supervision by 9-dan professional Manabu Senzaki, the shogi authenticity is a major appeal!
05⑤ The Shocking and Moving Bullying Arc
The bullying arc depicting Hinata's ordeal in Season 2 is the true essence of March Comes in Like a Lion.
It realistically portrays Hinata's suffering after becoming a bullying target for standing up for a friend, and the powerlessness of adults who can do nothing about it.
The scene where Rei says "I think you did the right thing, Hina-chan" is a legendary moment in anime history 😭
A soul-shaking masterpiece worth watching for this episode alone!
06① Rei Kiriyama's Lonely Beginning
Rei lost his family in a traffic accident as a child and was taken in by Kouda, a professional shogi player and friend of his father.
However, his relationship with the Kouda family's biological children was complicated, and Rei could only find his place by "winning at shogi."
After becoming a professional shogi player at 15, Rei starts living alone, but his heart remains empty 🌙
07② Meeting the Kawamoto Family
Meeting the three Kawamoto sisters (Akari, Hinata, Momo) who live in Sangatsu Town dramatically changes Rei's life.
Akari who always cooks warm meals, energetic Hinata, and innocent little Momo.
The portrayal of Rei's frozen heart gradually thawing each time he is invited to the Kawamoto dinner table is truly beautiful 🏠
08③ A Passionate Friendship with Nikaido
Harunobu Nikaido, Rei's same-age rival and close friend, is a shogi player who burns with passion for the game despite his frail body.
He one-sidedly declares Rei his "eternal rival" and charges at him with unwavering directness.
Nikaido's clumsy but passionate nature moves both Rei and the viewers deeply 🔥
09④ The Back of Kai Shimada 8-Dan
Kai Shimada 8-dan, a senior in Rei's study group, is an unassuming but incredibly passionate shogi player.
Carrying the hopes of his hometown on his shoulders alone, Shimada challenges title matches even as his body breaks down — the very embodiment of an adult's way of living.
Watching Shimada's back, Rei gradually finds the "meaning of playing shogi" ⚔️
10⑤ Hinata's Battle Against Bullying
The biggest climax of Season 2 is the episode where Hinata becomes a bullying target after protecting her friend.
Hinata facing the injustice of "doing the right thing but not being rewarded," and Rei supporting her with everything he has, is deeply moving.
The scene where Rei declares "Hina-chan is right. She is absolutely right" brings tears no matter how many times you watch it 😭
Rei Kiriyama
The protagonist of this work. A 17-year-old active professional shogi player who turned pro in middle school — a genius. Having lost his family at a young age, he lives with deep loneliness. A clumsy but kind boy who gradually regains his humanity through interactions with the Kawamoto family 🦁
Akari Kawamoto
The eldest of the three Kawamoto sisters. A nurturing big sister who raises her younger siblings in place of their late mother and grandfather. She always welcomes Rei with warm home-cooked meals, symbolizing the "maternal warmth" of this work. She becomes an emotional anchor for Rei 🌸
Hinata Kawamoto
The second of the three Kawamoto sisters, a middle school student. A bright, energetic girl with a strong sense of justice. Even after becoming a bullying target for protecting her friend, she has an unbreakable inner strength. She is precious to Rei and the driving force that moves his heart 🌻
Momo Kawamoto
The youngest of the three Kawamoto sisters, a kindergartner. Innocent and absolutely adorable, she is the healing presence of the series. The way she innocently bonds with Rei calling "Rei-chan!" melts viewers' hearts too. Just Momo's smile brightens the entire screen 🍑
Harunobu Nikaido
Rei's same-age rival and self-proclaimed "eternal rival." The young master of a wealthy family, he never loses to anyone in passion for shogi despite his frail health. With a chubby build and many comical behaviors, he shows fierce concentration during matches 🔥
Kai Shimada
The leader of Rei's study group, an A-class 8-dan player of great skill. A shogi player from the countryside who fights on while carrying the expectations of his hometown — an awkward but sincere adult. His challenge for title matches while plagued by stomach pain strongly resonates with adult viewers ⚔️
第1期OPはBUMP OF CHICKENの「アンサー」、第1期後半OPは同じくBUMP OF CHICKENの「ファイター」、第2期OPはYUKIの「さよならバイスタンダー」、第2期後半OPはYUKIの「フラッグを立てろ」です。各楽曲の詳細はトップページのアニソンランキングで再生回数順に確認でき、個別ページでは再生数推移のグラフも閲覧可能です。
