3-gatsu no Lion

Sangatsu no Lion's first five minutes contain a scene I might characterise as one of the best in animation. A boy listlessly wakens, drinking out of necessity, dressing out of obligation, and leaving his sterile apartment out of confusion, an existence so fragile it could perish with the wind. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't tell people about his problems. He just moves on with his life.

At first I did not understand why this scene had such an impact on me. I thought it could have been the beautiful music, or perhaps the captivating artwork so characteristic of Shaft. That wasn't it. What overwhelmed ... me was how illustrative it was of human life.

People often describe their favourite pieces of fiction with vague terms such as "brilliant" or "life-changing". Sangatsu no Lion is not life-changing, least not in the sense of it developing for me a different personality, or in creating new passions. What it did, rather, is give me the tools to better understand myself and, more importantly, why I am here. And that is the greatest answer of all.

To say that Sangatsu no Lion is powerful would be an understatement. There are numerous moments, much like the opening scene, that do much with little. Most things are left implicit and unsaid. A simple, everyday conversation between family, about what their plans could be for the next day, or a brief conversation about one's quiet hometown can contain more weight and characterisation than a series might in its entire duration. Sangatsu no Lion is as well masterfully-produced, a technical triumph, Shaft's greatest accomplishment.

Sangatsu no Lion is at its surface an anime about shogi, but at its core a coming-of-age story of overcoming depression. Rei, the series' protagonist, is a deeply and inherently flawed being. He is timid - incapable of speaking his mind or getting his feelings across - and unhappy with his role in life. Many characters do not understand why he is this way, and indeed, for someone so gifted at shogi-- enough as to turn it into a career from a young age-- and blessed by such having such a kind family care for him, it is easy to be envious and to question why someone in his position could ever feel unsatisfied. He is still in his teens, after all, so it could merely be an irrational fit of teenage angst. And so they think, and so they patronise him.

There is more to Rei than the people around him give credit for. He never had a real family, nor even a youth, hence why he goes to school in an aimless search of one. He has nothing he can relate to but shogi. Even shogi brings him pain, as his thirst for victory ends only with him driving the loser to disappointment and despair. He needs to feed on other people's happiness to give meaning to his own existence, as without shogi, he will have nothing.

This isn't meant to instil feelings of pity in the viewer. Rei's problems, while significant and real, aren't much different from what everyone else in his world is dealing with. His eventual mentor, Shimada, struggles with a fear of disappointing others and with a chronic sickness that disrupts his ability to play shogi. Even Hinata, the carefree, younger-sister figure to Rei is dealing with issues of love and an anxiety of growing up. Rei's journey is not just about recognising and facing his own problems, but also in understanding that pain is a normal part of life, and something that everyone deals with. All one can do is to take it with stride.

Rei's eventual breakdown is one of the story's most notable moments. I have read complaints of the scene being too dramatic, or that it took too long for Rei to get there. I feel that was the point. Simply being told "no, you are wrong" does not do anything to help fix a person's issues. Rei has already been told his entire life that he is wrong. It is through being kicked down, made a fool of, and, yes, breaking down completely that humans are able to grow the most. We are resilient creatures, and respond to failure with success. Rei is not meant to be entirely likeable to the viewer. He's just a dude and he has his limits, much like anyone else. He is meant to be human rather than an embodiment of all things cool and attractive, and I suppose it is this distinction that is bothersome to certain viewers.

The scene where Shimada chats with Rei about Yamagata, his hometown, represents a lot of what makes the anime so special. The conversation is only 90 seconds long, and yet it encapsulates Rei's growth as a person. It culminates in his one simple quip back to Shimada, that even something dull is still "something". Rei has by this point become capable of standing his ground and arguing back, and of framing the world more positively. It is easy to not notice these things because Rei's evolution is not sudden or obvious. That is precisely what makes it great, and is why it feels so real. It is only in the small details do we notice change.

Many aspects of Shaft's production are experimental in nature, and that definitely shows through in this case. While some of their other works, such as the Monogatari series, got a bit too focused on style rather than content (to the extent of being pompous or even pretentious, I would argue), the direction and artwork of Sangatsu no Lion is artful and stylish while still managing to keep genuine. The tenth episode's shogi match is one of the more prominent examples of this, where a thunderous orchestral piece plays as the two furiously and silently challenge one another. It doesn't require dialogue, as the visual and audio cues do more than enough to demonstrate who is winning and losing, and how much stress they are undergoing. There is even a scene that more closely resembles theatre, with jazzy beats playing while Smith slowly (very, very slowly) eats breakfast. Some may feel this is unnecessary, but I am of the opinion that it provided a wealth of character to someone who we really had not seen or understood much of by that point in the story.

It's a bit remarkable just how reminiscent the anime is of life in Tokyo. I feel that those who have never been here are missing quite a bit, as its depiction does well to make the world the characters live in feel real and relateable. It was actually a bit surreal in my case, as Rei goes to train stations, bridges and other areas that I have personally been to, and visits Sendagi at one point in the series: the quiet little neighbourhood in which I live. He even wears the exact same black coat that I bought at a local Uniqlo some months ago. So, understandably, I think, the anime has been a fairly personal experience for me. It's nothing short of stunning how much effort Shaft has put into making the setting feel like a real place where real people live. It is not a portrayal of Tokyo - it is Tokyo.

The music in Sangatsu no Lion is without doubt some of the best that has been in anime. Most of the more heavy-hitting tracks are used sparingly, often only in one specific scene for a specific purpose, and accomplish said purpose with power and with triumph. In some scenes, such as the Yamagata talk, the first time "Sayonara Bystander" began playing, or the end of the twelfth episode when Rei promises to Momo to win, the music was effective enough to make my eyes water a bit. That isn't a reaction I normally have towards music.

One could argue that there is a bit too much comedy in the anime. And, certainly, if you are looking only for serious storytelling from start to finish, you may end up feeling somewhat alienated by the end. I might have preferred a bit less comedy, too, as the light-hearted scenes, while enjoyable (especially with how adorable Hinata is), are not quite as exciting as all the other pieces. But I can still appreciate its existence, as it would be disingenuous to remove it altogether and to pretend as if there are no happy moments in the characters' lives. Seeing Rei grow to accept the Kawamoto sisters is quite heartwarming, too. They care about him, even if he may not always care about himself, and by the end, they help him to find more meaning in life than shogi.

It's true that Sangatsu no Lion does not have much conclusion. Most of the problems the characters are dealing with are still an ongoing struggle by the end, and Rei is far from becoming a master of shogi as most anime protagonists typically would. Part of this can be attributed to logistical issues, such as a limited production budget and the fact that the manga is still ongoing. I don't think this creates an inherent flaw with the anime, however, as Sangatsu no Lion isn't really in need of an ending. There's no plot with a specific starting point and ending point-- it is rather a moment in time, a piece of Rei's life and those of the people around him. His depression persists, and he remains an imperfect and flawed person, even if he now has friends and family by his side. He's still searching. He's still running. Perhaps that will change by the end of the second season or the manga. Maybe it won't. And that would be completely fine. I don't believe there is anyone, even on their deathbed, who has ever been complete as a person. We start imperfect, and we end imperfect, gradually, yet surely, evolving, unchanging.

With most reviews, I feel compelled to discuss the anime in a mechanical way. "The animation was nice", "the characters were developed well", "the plot was inconsistent". It is because most anime feel crafted, like a specimen of sorts to be examined. How is this piece? How is that piece? Sangatsu no Lion never felt that way for me. It's bigger. It feels more real. And so I can't help but write something more personal, too.

Is Sangatsu no Lion better than Honey & Clover? Maybe. Is it the best anime of the past decade? Perhaps. More than that? Could be. It is difficult right now to answer with complete certainty these questions I have been posing myself. Time is the best judgement, I feel. But I can say, without question or hesitation, that Sangatsu no Lion is the only anime since Touch that has had such a profound and visceral impact on me. And Touch was the best anime I had ever seen.

Sangatsu no Lion is a statement that unhappiness is OK. Being depressed, unsatisfied or stressed does not make you weak - it makes you human. And so I find it appropriate to close with a quote from Hinata:

"So what do you say at a time like this?"

"You say to do your best."

3-Gatsu was originally an anime I started watching because I love Shaft's other animes, but a few episodes in I started watching to follow along on Rei's journey.

8/10 Story:
The story resonates with me a lot. It's like a combination of figuring out life in the present and how to deal with your past at the same time. The story is more than just about shogi, it's more about the player. How he decides what pieces to use, what pieces to move, and try and overcome his next opponent/obstacle. It also applies to his life. He has his new family which currently guards him and ... his past (pieces he lost) which keep coming back to attack him.

9/10 Art:
This is pretty self explanatory. The art is unique and defines each situation perfectly. You can properly see how everyone is feeling in each scene. It's powerful and really makes you think back when you were hurt but then got through it thanks to a loved one.

9/10 Sound:
The opening/endings always seemed to tell Rei's story just by listening to it. Everything was made well to fit the mood. It wasn't forced like laugh tracks from 90s comedies but I knew when to smile, be sad, and root for them thanks to the sound.

8/10 Character:
As far from how much I like their characters, It's pretty much 10/10. The only reason it's an 8 is because some of the characters got underdeveloped in comparison to the main few. I love them all as characters from their realism, supportiveness, and silliness. Even the characters we know little about, I wanna know more about them cus they seem interesting. Rei's sister, Rei's future opponents, and pretty much everyones past.

8/10 Enjoyment:
3-Gatsu was that one anime I kept coming back to weekly. It was at times heartbreaking, heartrelieving, and at times very intense. I enjoyed the characters and the story that came with them, but at some points it was a little slow. I enjoyed it overall, and was happy as fk when they announced season 2 coming soon.

9/10 Overall:
Another one of Shaft's animes that I actually liked. Hope you give this anime a chance because everything about it is relatable and enjoyable at the same time.

The way 3-gatsu no Lion (March comes like a lion) is written is like a poetic adventure. Only thing is, the main protagonist is in his own story and we (the audience) gets to see what they experience. From that experience, the main protagonist Rei tackles through obstacles in his life, building relationships, and growing as a person. Adapted by the manga of the same name, this is a show that really takes slice of life to a unique perspective.

The creator of the series is Chica Umino. Some people may recognize her work such as Honey and Clover. As such, character designs represented in this ... show may feel familiar. However, 3-gatsu no Lion stands out on its own as we are introduced to Rei Kiriyama, a young man known for his professional shogi talent. Rei may seem like a successful person at first glance but deep down, he suffers from many personal issues. The show explores those issues in ways that really makes us curious not just about his life but how society, relationships, and a career can influence a person.

From the first few episodes, it’s clear that Rei has talent when it comes to shogi. People even label him as a prodigy with a unique gift. Yet, Rei feels isolated in society as his real parents no longer exists in his world. However, fortune does smile on him as he meets Akari, Momo, and Hina, three sisters with gentle hearts that welcomes him as their own family. I have to admit, those very first few episodes gave me a realistic impression of Rei’s character. There are those in our world where a prodigy can feel so alone. The expectations from their peers, coaches, and fans really put them on the edge when they deal with competition against rivals. For Rei, it seems even worse because of his unsociable personality and the fact that he has a strained relationship with his adoptive parents. On a professional level, his career hasn’t really bloomed in his adolescence years. Sound something similar? Once in a while, I’m sure we’ve heard similar stories in the news before too. Viewers coming into this show should really expect to see why Rei feels the way he views society and how he adapts to make his life better for himself.

There are a lot of memorable moments in this show but perhaps one of the most influential is how Rei develops relationship with the people he meets. He’s not an outgoing person and most of the time, he seems to keep to himself. This is evidenced by the cynical thoughts and narratives he voices in his head. Often times or not, Rei has trust issues towards others because of his past. The show cleverly does a good job at storytelling as we see glimpses of his past in multi-chapter arcs. Rei’s personality is strongly influenced by his past that carries into the present. Fortunately, not everything is gloom and doom because Akari, Momo, and Hina brightens up Rei’s life. They are like the light of his dark tunnel and we see how they are able to give him affection and treat him like a real family. Their influence in the show changes Rei as he realizes that he can trust certain people. Rei also becomes more aware of how being together with people is better than being alone. That’s really what makes the storytelling and character of this show intriguing. We see the mistakes that Rei makes and life lessons he learns from. Rei’s confidence grows and he begins to develop meaningful relationship with others.

Besides the Kawamoto sisters, the show also offers a colorful cast of other characters. One of the most noticeable is Kyoko, the daughter of Rei’s shogi teacher. Throughout the show, we learn the negative influence she has on him. The way this show expresses human emotions is most evident when Kyoko and Rei are in the same segments. To name a few, we got jealousy, hate, pity, among others. The way Kyoko taunts Rei can also get uncomforting to watch with her snarky attitude. What’s important though is to understand her role in the show. It’s not to just to make viewers despise her but also how Rei’s negative side is often bought out in the worst way because of her influence.

That being said, the series also has a colorful cast of characters on the professional shogi scene. Rei’s self-proclaimed rival Nikadou brings in many of the comical moments between them. Kai Shimada, a man in the late 30s, also has influence on Rei as he learns quite a bit from him throughout the show. Masamune Goto, a man that has a very complicated relationship with Rei’s father stands out as a seemingly main obstacle in Rei’s life. From this series, Rei experiences different feelings when it comes to facing off against his rivals. The in-depth narratives accompanied by the inner thoughts from his shogi matches gives us even a better insight of Rei on the competitive scene.

Now, I am not an expert on shogi but it’s fair to say that 3-gatsu no Lion knows its content when it comes to game perspective. While the show heavily involves psychology in those shogi matches, there’s also strategy that is narrated and presented. Colorful imagery is also added to make the matches look larger than life. Even though the show can feel very melancholic, it still has many moments where it can draw an audience’s laughter. The shogi matches, character relationships, and even non-human characters such as Kawamoto’s cats are just a few examples. In fact, the show seems to not forget any character throughout its recourse. Unfortunately, this 2-cour adaptation is simply not enough to cover everything. The manga is still ongoing and as faithful as this is adaptation is, there’s still plenty that are left uncovered. Perhaps another season can explore more options but in a span of 22 episodes, that’s not really happening.

Adapted by studio Shaft, it’s pretty recognizable that 3-gatsu no Lion has its style. While Shaft’s iconic head tilts aren’t the main factors when it comes to art direction, it’s still very Akiyuki Shinobish. Inspirations are drawn from the flashy segments, dialogue usage, and background imagery are just a few to name. It feels experimental at times while demonstrating a superior feel of realism. One thing I was really impressed by is how almost every camera shot focused on Rei reveals his feelings. Character designs are influential by the author’s works and very faithfully adapted from the manga. That being said, Shaft’s art style may not be for everyone but for 3-gatsu no Lion, it hits the nail in the coffin.

3-gatsu no Lion may not be a show about music but even its soundtrack works effectively thanks to the talent of its production staff. The melancholic atmosphere is well choreographed with cleverly timed OST. The theme songs very well fits with the show’s themes. In particularl, Bump of Chicken’s OP song “Answer” really bought out the psychology of the show. However, I think the biggest praise should be given to Rei’s voice actor, Kengo Kawanishi. The way he voices Rei makes him feel very believable especially during powerful moments. Voicing a character like Rei honestly feels difficult but he pulls it off without trouble. Finally, the show’s narratives remains strong throughout the show. Rather than relying on a narrator, it doe the storytelling itself with its characters.

Watching 3-gatsu no Lion feels very different compared to some of the other shows I’ve watched in relating to exploring the growth of a prodigy. It not only has heavy characterization but the psychology of the show gives a unique feeling of its storytelling. The relationship building and realism really gives slice of life more than just every day adventures. Because for circumstances, every day is a challenge for Rei as he takes on himself. Whether it’s in life or on the competitive shogi scene, we can see how Rei develops as a person. I can’t safely recommend this show to everyone however. It’s definitely a show that isn’t for anyone’s taste and for manga readers, you may feel slightly disappointed by what’s still left out in the dark. Yet in the end, 3-gatsu no Lion is able to breathe life with its powerful direction and a story of compelling melodrama.

One of the most underrated anime of Fall 2016. Overall rating [9.3/10]

Story [10/10] - This is not your typical anime with exposition, climax, and resolution. It's like you are reading a book. And in this case, a very good one. The experiences come fast and furious for the main character, but the center of his universe is definitely 'shogi'. Also, you don't have to be a shogi expert to watch this although it has a 'game' tag on it. You will love how the story goes from silent to being dramatic, and from that to being so comedic. One time you will be crying, ... and then the next thing you know you've been laughing along with the character's dialogues.


Art [10/10] - I've watched a fair amount of anime, and I speak for everyone when I say that this kind of art style is very unique. The way how every scenes were drawn into perfection, and how it can easily change your feelings toward the story make this anime one of a kind.


Sound [10/10] - The opening and ending songs were performed by BUMP OF CHICKEN. So you can expect for it to be good. The soundtracks for every scene are on point.


Character [8/10] - Although the main character has a deep background. It's not that rare nowadays for most of them to have a very tragic backstory.


Enjoyment [8/10]

[Reupload]

For starters, this anime could be close to a masterpiece. Why you ask? Well I'll tell you. It's animated by Shaft, who are known for extreme narrative and story abnormalities. Now that may sound bad, but the story so far has been directed beautifully. The way the story dives into the sadness of our MC's past really tugs on the heartstrings, but at the same time his current life is filled with happy moments that are heartwarming. The mix of drama and slice of life can get confusing or even annoying but I think that's just what makes this show really good.

What is important to ... note is that while having a main character such as Rei Kiriyama, a tragic backstory is nothing original. One might find that cliche or distasteful; however the mystery of his past as well as the growth of Rei as a person is what makes you feel the emotion the director is trying to impose.

You don't have to like or know anything about shogi to enjoy this anime. And trust me, there is more to this show than just shogi. Rei's everyday life is incorporated with happy slice of life scenes featuring the Kawamoto sisters (Akari, Hinata, and Momo). They help Rei understand the beauty behind life, and not just the struggles of it. Besides the story, the art is outrageous and surreal, but not realistic. Don't let that throw you off, because it still captures the moments of emotion in detail. The OP and ED are sung by BUMP OF CHICKEN (who are a very good band), and both songs are aesthetically pleasing and catchy. The characters and atmosphere make this show enjoyable as well and make you feel a part of the story. The OST helps with this, as it's vivid and picturesque.

Overall, give this anime a chance. You might find something you'll enjoy a lot. [Will update this if the anime changes]

Story 9/10
Art 8/10
Sound 10/10
Character 9/10
Enjoyment 9/10
Overall 9/10

Ever since Akiyuki Shinbo joined as director in 2005, Shaft has been on a rampage, pushing its avant grade cinematography (and head tilts) to the limits. And now that they've made a name for themselves (and the fact that they're all out of source material on the monogatari series), they have started to calm down. Compared to last year's Owarimonogatari (and the subsequent Kizumonogatari movies this year), they have a Slice of Life entry this fall season by the name of San-gatsu no Lion (or March comes in like a Lion). Based on a well received ongoing manga, the story revolves around Kiriyama Rei, a ... high schooler and a pro shogi player, living an independent life in a rather empty part of town. Having lived through a mountain of trouble as a child and not-so-good experiences at his foster family, the repressed emotions and lack of "love" (if you will) has made him depressed and lonely inside. The only thing he has left is his career as a shogi player, which, sadly, started with a lie. So, a life (and mental sanity maybe?) built on such a feeble foundation can only last so long. And so it all starts to crumble and he starts going into a downward spiral.

But fear not, all is not lost yet. Enter the three Kawamoto sisters. Having gone through some rough times themselves, they had one another to lean on, and so they live their modest lives full of happiness and laughter with the occasional sad reminiscing. And thankfully, they drag our protagonist into it, and it acts as a sliver of hope in his life. His interactions with them and the subtle changes they cause in his personality seem to be the main focus of the show.

Now, there are a few things to watch out for, if you're thinking of picking this up.
Number one is the drama, the kind of drama where there are lots of tragic flashbacks and broken, damaged characters. If you find characters wallowing in depression appalling, this might not be your cup of tea. Though I would say that the creators have put a lot of effort in Rei's backstory as it feels "legit" and in-sync with his character.

Second, is the game of Shogi. They say shogi is like chess, except that it's not (well it is, in essence, a strategy game). Compared to the 16 pieces per player in Chess, Shogi has 20 pieces; there is no queen, and two new pieces - silver general and gold general are in play. Even the board is different (its a 9x9 instead of an 8x8). Point is, if you don't know shogi, parts of the show involving it - like the surprised look on players when the opponent makes an interesting move (a shot of the board with all the pieces, a move, and cut to character's face), or analogies/metaphors relating to our main characters life, will probably make little to no sense (or won't have the desired effect).

Number three is Shaft. Now, I already said that they're trying to calm down, and they are, I mean, 5 episodes without a head tilt (Shinbo must be screaming in frustration, good thing Kenjirou is in charge), but, it's still Shaft. And I've seen some people complain about the artstyle. Thankfully, it all isn't as erratic as the monogatari series and I am fine with it. Heck I love how they keep the contrast when switching perspectives from the depressed MC to the cheerful sisters (love the color palette too, and the opening).

Conclusion. I like where this is going. I like that the main character is "damaged" damaged and not just damaged for plot's sake, his backstory really gets me. And I am interested in how far down he is going to fall before he gets over his past or if the past is going to come back to haunt him, either way, he will face it and that's what I'm looking forward to. Also, this is Shaft and I have hope that they aren't going to mess this up. But if they do, I'll update this.

This review will cover both seasons of March Comes in Like a Lion.

Well here we are my 100th review.

It has been long and emotional road of great and awful animes but somehow I made it to 100 reviews. I personally wouldn't made it so far without your helpful and constructive feedback that you have given me over the years.

Naturally I decided to do something special to make this occasion and So I decided up a anime that I truly loved and that anime in question is 3 Gatsu no Lion or March Comes in like a Lion in English. First aired in 2016 the series ... has gained a strong following over the years for it's strong characterisation, masterfully handling of serious topics and fantastic art-style.

I previously watched the series when it was airing and I loved it. When Aniplex announced and released the English dub for season 2 I decided to re-watch the series in it's dubbed form and I love it even more to a point where I ultimately decided to write a review for both seasons. It was that amazing. More about the Aniplex's Dub later but first let's talk about the plot and characters and why I adored it so much.

The story follows a shogi prodigy named Rei who lives by himself. Despite living along Rei is far from a stable individual as suffering from numerous issues such as social anxiety, depression and loneliness that prevents him from connect to anyone due to his tragic past.

He soon the Kawamoto family a trio of sisters and their grandfather who run a traditional Japanese pastry shop. They too have dealt with pain and loss. Now Rei must learn to socialise with other people and understate his triumphs and failures as human being in order to defeat his social anxiety and depression.

Saying that the story of March comes in like a lion is outstanding wouldn't give this series any justice. This is easily the best put together anime I've ever seen from this decade.

Where do I honestly begin maybe with the first episode. This is easily the best first episode I've ever seen in anime because not only it does an outstanding job at establishing Rei as a character by diving in social anxiety mindset. The first episode also does a fantastic job at establishing it's own tone to the viewers. The first 10 minutes of episode 1 has a melancholic feels that showcases the darker side of the series while the most of the second half of the series shows the more lighter side of the series where everything is all happy and bubbly. Normally this tonal combination would totally back fire but it didn't because March Comes in like a Lion understands tonal shifts.

Out of the anime I've seen March Comes in like a Lion is one of few series that is able to hand it's tonal shifts.

The biggest problem I had with Your Lie in April outside of the hamfisted executed themes and monologues was the tonal shifts that series had the worst tonal shifts I've seen in my life because not that series were executed incredibly poorly as it pop out of nowhere (mostly thanks to Tsubaki) but it actually did more harm to an already problematic series. Episode 1 of that series was prime example of that issue.

March Comes in like a Lion doesn't do any of that. It know's how it's dark and light tone well and it's know how to switch between theses two without feeling awkward or out of place. The tonal balance of March Comes in like a lion helps the comedy and drama flow better and speaking of drama let's talk about it.

March Comes in Like a Lion is heart a drama. From the first minute of episode 1 season 1 to the last minute of episode 22 of season 2 we see the well crafted drama play out as it greatly affects every single character in the show.

The drama also allows us to dive into the characters motivations and ideals for various characters and shows for a tremendous job of it. This is main reason why March Comes in Like a Lion is not a shogi sports anime. Sure the series has a lot shogi matches to a point where they were frequent tournaments that are filled with competitors who want to win however the show completely destroys the generic I want to be the shogi player like no one ever was as the show does a brilliant job at exploring the competitors true motivations of winning.

Rei is a competitive shogi player that has to win various tournaments if want to support himself in life. He's not doing it for recognition, he's not doing it to be the best shogi player in the world he's doing it as a career to support himself, or he will be homeless.

That not all March Comes in like a lion has to offer. The series is also a beautiful coming of age tale. In season 1 we see Rei as a depressed anti-social individual who is trying to live his life as a professional shogi player. However, thanks to Akari and the Kawamoto he starts to open up to people more to a point where he starts to help people with their problems in season 2 which I will talk about in a bit.
When the show is not being a heavy character drama show becomes an engaging and grounded that is filled with fascinating character chemistry and interactions that only strengths the already strong characterisation of the series.

Season one of March Comes in like a Lion is a masterpiece on its own right that can win various anime awards inducing anime of the year. Season two on the other hand takes the already masterful season 1 and takes it to another level. The majority of Season two is focused on the topic of bullying and how bullying can affect others.

Needless to say, this topic was masterfully executed thanks to not only having some of the best writing to ever exist in this medium but it's also the subject with respect and care. Watching this bullying arc is like watching an actual human being getting bulled in front of your eyes. It was portrayed beautifully thanks to the brilliant direction and writing.

Season 2 of March Comes in like a Lion is without the best anime squeal I have seen from this medium as it took everything that was brilliant in season one and expended to new heights. My praise of season two doesn't end there. The rest of the arcs in season two were also fantastic.

They may not be as emotional compared to the bully arc but they are still strong arcs in the own rights. My favourite arc of season 2 not counting the bully arc is the Old Gen vs New Gen Shogi championship arc aka Sakutarou vs Shimada.

Despite being the only arc of the series that focusing primarily on it's supporting characters which was a nice change of pace for the series it is a very a fantastic written arc that communicate the theme and topics of sacrifice, retirement, generation, and passing to torch.

The visual imagery also enhances the mood and atmosphere of the match as this is not just an another typical championship shogi match. It is a match that would change two individuals as people especially on Sakutarou's end who despite surviving as a shogi kishou all those years had to see his peers die over the years just to get to that spot that he's currently at.

March Comes in like a lion is not a just story it is a tale of ambition, passion, love and emotion that highlights the best and worst aspects of life in a more grounded way and for that reason alone as many others things I said before March Comes in like a lion is one of the best stories I've ever encountered in any medium.

The characters in March Comes Like a Lion can be best described as real human beings.

At first glance Rei may appear to be another typical self insert tragic character that you have seen before however the series immediately throws that exception out the window. From Rei's emotional out bursts, unpredictable thinking to trying his very best to improve his social life towards others Rei is the embodiment of a flawed who's trying to improve his life before the world crashed down on him.

His character development over the course of the series is historically amazing as he goes from an anti-social lone wolf who just wanted to play shogi just, so he can live to a more social and friendly person. Sure he still plays shogi just so he can live but thanks to character development we Rei go out of his way to help people in need. The best example of this is with the bully arc in season 2. Rei could have easily ignored Hinata's bullying issues by just ignoring them and continue playing he's shogi matches just, so he can live. Rei fortunately not only helps Hinata with her bullying problems he a sacrifice a decent amount of shogi time he's only source of income.

Yes, it does hurt having a reduced income just to help a friend but Hinata and her family helped him defeat the darkness of depression in season 1 and that was a good trade off.

This is my favourite aspect of March Comes in Like a Lion.

Character development that is left intact across seasons.
I have seen many anime from this decade where character development were not left intact across seasons/ story arcs. Certain shows will either repeat character arcs due the authors using a wonderful plot device that is called amnesia or even worst characters contradicting their development after they were developed in previous seasons/story arcs.

March Comes in like a Lion doesn't do any of that. It perfectly develops its characters and that development stay intact across seasons allowing for more character development in future arcs.

A perfect example of intact character development is shown with the second protagonist of the series Hinata.

Hinata is the second of the three sister's of the Kawamoto family.
In season 1 she's assisted Akari overcome Rei's depression and social anxiety in season 1. She becomes the primary protagonist in season 2 with the Bully and graduation middle school arcs and man she was a beautifully written character. The way she developed over the course of the bully arc was not only splendid site on to see visual storytelling perspective but it so relatable to the eye.


Despite being the victim of bullying she never gave her strong will to the bullies as she is reminded determined to shut down the bullies even it may hurt her mentally in the process.

Add up her bubbly and determined and you got yourself a wonderfully crafted character that highlights the best and worst of life from a child's perspective.

Finally we have the final main character of the series Akari.
Akari is a fantastic character if I ever saw one. Akari is the guardian angel for because it wasn't for her then Rei still be on path of darkness and social anxiety. She was the only one that fully broke Rei dark shell. Yes Hinata and Momo assisted Akari into breaking Rei dark shell but Akari not only drag Rei out of he's dark shell into the light but she also only character that understood him of what he was coming from.

Just like a person taking a orphan homeless kid into they home who has been mentally and physically damaged from they former orphanage. That's not all to Akari as character. In season 2 bully Arc we the viewer start to see signs of Akari being a broken individual.

Despite being the mother substitute for Hinata and Momo she has faces has own struggles that affaced her as a person. In episode 5 Someji made a strong statement of Hinata's bullying situation which he said ''There is nothing wrong of helping a friend in need''. That statement affected her as mother figure because compare to him she doesn't have the strong will to deal with theses things due to pressure.

As the arc progressed Akira starts trying to be a strong mother figure who doesn't let pressure talk over her mentally.

Her character development in the bully arc is showcased at the climax of the bully arc with Taiga's mum. The way she conflict to her showcases how much she has grown as a person On top of her incredible character development across the season's she's a very nice and caring person who tries her hardest to people in need hand that's the reason why she's my second favourite character in the series.

The supporting characters are just as great and complex as the main characters. They all that have they quirks and personal struggles that plays off with the show core themes. Some personal favourite characters include Shimada, Harunobu, Touji and Takashi.

Overall the characters in March Comes in like a Lion are just as fantastic as the plot.

Studio Shaft is known to have fantastic production values that add more detail and flare in they and March Comes in Like a Lion is no different. The artistic direction and the use of sharp/soft colour palette really brought the world of March Comes in Like a Lion to life.

This is only enhanced with the gorgeous animation that is filled with emotion and atmosphere. Naturally this is a shaft production so you can expect their signature pops of colour and head tilts. It may be random but unlike all other shows from Studio Shaft they don't abuse it all that much. Add this up the show's fantastic visuals storytelling that only strengths the show core themes of depression, emotion, bullying and sacrifice and you got yourself a beautiful series that is style and substance. Great job Shaft.


March Comes in Like A Lion visual presentation is only made better by the wonderfully composed soundtrack done by the very talented Yukari Hashimoto.

Melancholic and soft tracks perfectly set the mood and tone of the series. The emotional tracks that played in the series only strengthen the narrative and presentations as when there is an emotional moment the tracks rises up just to amply the emotional moments in the series.

 
This is thanks to the March Comes in Like Lion fantastic sound direction. It knows when to play various tracks at the right moments and it knows how to fade in and fade out the tracks at any given time.

All the opening and ending themes were incredible as not only the songs are great it has a lot of symbolism that accurately captures the show's themes.

When I heard, that Aniplex Of America was going to dub both seasons of March Comes in Like A Lion I was very excited how the show was going to fare in it's a dub. Needless to say, the dub of March Comes in Like a Lion didn't disappoint me one as this is one the best dub I heard for Aniplex it also, in my opinion, surpasses the already amazing original Japanese audio.

Despite many of the English Actors not having previous roles, they managed to bring out A game as every single dub actor did a tremendous job with the roles that they were given. The best performances in the dub were the rising stars Kayli Mills as Hinata and Khoi Dao as Rei. Overall if you are looking for a great dub that is on par with the original Japanese audio I strongly recommended the dub.

March Comes in Like a Lion is a series that impacted me of not only how I view anime as a medium but it also impacted me as a human being. It is a series that soul-crushing broke my heart but the same rebuild it with it's wonderful characters that represent the highs and lows of humanity and life. The beautifully crafted story arcs that have a purpose, masterfully written characters that were well written, the fantastic production values that was only made better with the beautiful melancholic soundtrack.

March Comes in Like a Lion is not just an anime it's a masterfully created human and thematic study that would make any cry and because of these reasons March Comes in Like a Lion is not only the best anime I have seen from this decade but it's also one of the favourite things ever.

Yes, there were others anime from this decade that I called masterpieces in the past however they all palls in comparison to the beautiful piece that is March Comes in Like Lion which is a true masterpiece of an anime that changed my life forever.

Thank you Studio Shaft for making this masterpiece a reality.

Hate slow-paced anime? Then this isn’t for you. Hate generic sub-characters? Then this isn’t for you. Hate heavy narration? Then this isn't for you. Hate when an anime spends a good portion of its time depicting a board game that you don’t understand? Then this isn’t for you. Have a short attention span and don’t like slow-paced series? Then this anime is definitely not for you!
Nonetheless, I genuinely LOVE March Comes in Like a Lion!! So what about this series makes me love it despite rating it a 7 and being Debby Downer? Easy: the main character, the art, and the heavy narration.

Characters: Rei is ... probably one of my favorite character that has come into fictional existence over the past few years. He is different from all the melancholic male characters out there. Yes, he does mope around and feels sorry for himself, but he doesn’t whine nor does he have an undesirable urge to play victim and guilt trip all those that are around him. He is this unique quality character that is not found in stories that often. His growth does not happen immediately. It’s a very slow process. It’s the people around him, the small mundane things, and the ruminating thoughts he has that allows him to grow. His ability to come to terms with his circumstance and his attempt to widen his perspective is a breath of fresh air for me. He really embodies an insecure 17 year old who is trying to become an adult. Observing Rei grow makes this whole series worth watching. He is a wonderful example of creating a slice-of-life/coming of age character. Furthermore, as a viewer who overanalyzes everything and is stuck in my own thoughts while living a monotonous life, Rei’s (and his “mentors”) numerous insightful quotes are always worth reflecting upon.
So what about the other characters? First and foremost, most of the characters are mainly there to highlight the story of Rei. So the fact that Rei’s development is incredibly slow means that other character growth are undeniably slow. It’s so slow that unfortunately they are only seen as the typical stock characters. I’m only going to discuss the three sisters (Akari, Hinata and Momo), and Rei’s actual “sister” (Kyouko) to make my point, but the other side characters have similar problems.
Like Rei, Rei’s "sister” is also the melancholic type. However, the difference between these siblings are noticeable. She is the “woe unto me” type with a Kurt Cobain flare (more like the obnoxious Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto). The femme fatale, the woman who comes to ignite the flame to the series. Anytime she brings herself into Rei’s life, drama is inevitable. To add the chaotic-ness of her personality, there also seems to be some uncomfortable (“sexual”) tension amongst Rei and her; this point could hopefully be proven void later on, but as a viewer it does create a natural curiosity to keep wanting to know what had happened to both of them prior to Rei’s current living situation.
As for the three sisters, they are the exact opposite of Rei and Kyouko. They are introduced at the very beginning of the series, and they are there to radiate love and happiness to Rei’s black and white existence. Together, the sisters represent the warmth and compassion that a family unit could be filled with. However, the main concern I have with these ladies is that even though March Comes in Like a Lion is half way done, they are not even slightly fleshed out. Momo, the youngest sister, is basically there to be cute. Nothing else. Just to be cute. Akari is the typical sweet female character. She is considered to be beautiful, gentle, mild-tempered, and extremely maternal: the epithet of “perfection”. Hinata is probably the sister that stands out the most which is quite the irony, because in reality she is so normal that she wouldn’t stand out at all. She’s not too cute. She’s not too perfect. She is just an average girl. The problem I have with these 3 sister is not that they are stock characters, but they have so much to offer and it is not being showcased. There are subtle hints and moments that makes it obvious that their life is not as simplistic as it appears. They have a gloomy history and they have struggled a lot. It is unfortunate that this is a slow-paced anime because their potential as characters is obvious. Although there is no doubt in my mind that this series will do these sisters justice and gradually mold and shape them, I find it a little sad that many viewers will only see them as just shallow/uncreative archetypes.

Art: The art is possibly my favorite part of March Comes in Like a Lion (Studio Shaft is remarkable). It honestly feels like I am watching a book because this series manages to wonderfully combine heavy narration (which I usually tend to dislike) with divine imagery. As I mentioned a thousand times already, this is a very slow- paced anime. However, even when nothing is happening the art is able to speak volumes.
I am an impatient human being and I lose interest easily. So when the show focuses on a shogi match (which I have difficulty fathoming), the one thing that keeps my attention asides the dialogue is the art. For instance, while the characters are playing shogi, they are consistently drinking liquid. Water and liquid is something that is always brought up in the art throughout each episode, and this does not surprise me. Water is able to give life and hydrate the body, but at the same time it is able to drown and suffocate a person’s soul. The artistic style can be observed and reflected on for days if one wanted to understand the atmosphere and tone of the story.

Rei and the art are probably the key reasons one should watch this series. Although this anime does feel boring, that does not mean it is awful. The story is executed in such a way that character development and growth feels realistic. Again, this is not a series for people who need to be stimulated with action/philosophical scenes every few minutes. Nonetheless, the writing and concept of March Come in Like a Lion is so well thought-out that I actually would recommend people to watch this series even if they may drop it after a few episodes in. The only suggestion I can give a person who is interested in wanting to view a slow-paced series but is unable to focus, is to watch it with another person so the uneventful section of the show can feel somewhat less intolerable.

(On another completely irrelevant note: the creators of this series really love cats; there are so many annoying cats in this show)

Talking about Chika Umino's work is hard because her writing is something that always hits me very strongly. The way she describes mental illness, anxiety and youth problems is something absolutely touching and sometimes agonizing because, at least for me, is really relatable. Honey & Clover is my all time favorite manga, but this time, 3-gatsu animation is somehow a different kind of Chika's work. Relief happens less often and the excruciating feeling of drowning in negative feelings is more constant. Episode six was hard to watch non-stop. Maybe because now it's a story mainly about sadness, loneliness and depression. And that is actually something ... impressive. Even though I don't really understand nor think about Shogi as an interesting sport/game.

Art (10/10) is my favorite part, just like in H&C. Her style is so cute <3 I love the details of the eyes, the cute animals, and now, the TALKING animals! Oh gosh, so much cuteness for my heart to handle.

Sound (8/10) is simple, yet quite pretty. I barely noticed the background soundtrack - and I always do it strictly! Guess the story steals all the atenttion from it. Also, the dubbing is awesome! The voices of the characters fit perfectly, especially the female voices - that are also very cute.

3-gatsu is about Rei's pain, most of the time, and this end up building our point of view about the rest of the story and the other characters (9/10) in a very strict way - probably because all the narration of the history until now was made by the protagonist only. But all of the characters are unique in their own way and full of characteristics that hold our affection with the passage of time. And these characteristics are so real that it's hard not to feel close to them somehow.

Story (10/10) is amazing and yet kinda hard to go along with. The pace is purposely slow - and that makes it sometimes really deep and tense. Still, that is a perfect way to demonstrate how depression works, it's a perfect way to show to the viewers how hard is to feel anguished like that, how difficult it is to have a mind so full of thoughts and fears like this. I was positively surprised by this story that deals so well on the subject of psychological illnesses in a such intense and emotional way. After being so disappointed with various Japanese anime/manga that treat mental illnesses as banal or irrelevant things, watching 3-gatsu was somehow inspiring. I saw myself in various problems that Rei had, I could feel in my skin how scary some moments he spent were. And a show that creates empathy towards this issue is fantastic and without a doubt deserves all the credits.

Probably not everyone will like or even truly understand it, but I think it was worth the time for all those who have been teenagers without friends at school, and didn't know how to express their feelings or had family problems/losses.

3-gatsu is a story about trusting others, discovering your own strength and weaknesses, about letting it go and moving on.

I'm very glad I'm having the chance to follow this series and I can bet some will like it as much as I do. And I really hoping for an emotional and very happy ending full of tears, just like Chika did in Honey & Clover.

Once upon a time, I fell in love with a show named Honey and Clover. Because of that love, I decided to check out other works by the author behind it (Umino Chica). This led me to discover 3gatsu no Lion. A story about shogi didn’t seem really appealing, but I dove right into it nevertheless. Then bam, the feels train struck again and I loved it. I said to myself “I wonder if this will get an anime adaptation just like the author’s previous work.” I waited patiently for a long time with the hope of the manga being turned into an animated masterpiece. ... And it did happen, I felt really happy about it. However, the adaptation managed to surprise me in so many ways despite having an initial idea what to expect from it, especially since Shaft was going to be the studio to adapt it. It was not the animated masterpiece I expected it to be, but still one of the best shows to have come out in recent memory.

3gatsu no Lion offers a unique approach when it comes to blending elements from both slice-of-life and sports. First of all, shogi is presented as a professional thing. Most stories that revolve around sports are usually in school setting where they compete with other schools. In the world of 3gatsu, overhyped high school boys are replaced with composed adults. Arenas and courts packed with people are replaced with tatami rooms with only the limited presence of observers. There are actual stakes involved, since defeat can mean a threat to their career, their source of income. Simply attempting to be successful in shogi because you have the passion is not enough. The story makes that known as there are no plot devices or any other bullshit that can turn the tide during the match. A self-proclaimed shogi genius because he beats every person in his town can be just another hopeless brat when thrown into a pit of professionals. There are no shortcuts, convenience is subjective. Each move made on the shogi board is carefully planned and calculated like their life depends on it. A feeling of heaviness in every touch of a shogi piece, like a sense of burden channeled through every part of the player’s body. Enduring and outsmarting the enemy is the key, as a single match can consume up an entire day.

Even though the sense of competition prevails throughout the show, it is not always associated with intensity. The narrative is easy-going and introspective. The consistent monologues often remind me of Honey and Clover, very reflective and poignant. It conveys well what goes inside a character’s mind: doubts, anxieties, hope, resolve, basically almost the entire spectrum of human emotions. The atmosphere emulated by the show can go from heartwarming funny moments amplified by Shaft’s eccentric execution to serious dread especially during official matches. Outside shogi matches, the story focuses on the daily lives of the shogi players. We get a glimpse of their situation and then come to understand how and why they ended up choosing shogi as a profession. Take shogi away and everything will change.

And now we get to the main character, Kiriyama Rei. He is seen as the next big storm in the world of shogi as past trends report that every professional who debut in middle-school always become the next master. In reality, he struggles like your average shogi player. His name is well-known, but he still has a long way to go by climbing up the ranks. What makes him interesting as a character is because of his troubled past that always try to come back at him when he tries to move forward. Even though he doesn’t want to gain sympathy from others, his frail persona always gets him unexpected help. He acts timid and indecisive at times but can also act the opposite when push comes to shove. His character development is subtle throughout the story, further reinforced with his reflective internal monologues. Sure, other shows have main characters like Rei but what they usually miss is having a well-grounded character background that makes us understand why that character acts that way. By that, I don’t mean having a tragic past and then go on a full pity show on others when you feel being cornered and act unreasonable. Rei is quite different, he can act like your typical teenager that is undergoing an angst phase but he tries to be mature which is the result of him always being surrounded by adults. Even though he miserably fails at some occasions, it is the story’s attempt to show that he is still a kid and can act naïve. He has limited interaction to kids his age because he immerses himself with shogi, thus always being seen as a weirdo. There is always an underlying explanation to aspects of his character. Its fine saying you don’t like him for who he is but at least you have to recognize that the show perfectly justifies it. It could be borderline victimization but there is an attempt to break out the victim role.

The presence of the Kawamoto household is possibly the best representation of the show’s slice-of-life element. I feel like if they are omitted from the story, it wouldn’t be the same. Sure, sometimes they get too much screen time which mostly consists of them drooling over sweets but I see it as like an ice-breaker from the overwhelming seriousness of the show most of the time. They also serve as a bridge for Rei to act just like an ordinary human once in a while. He can get hungry just like any other person. He can also display concern and worry over trivial things. He can feel like being part of a family, in which he copes up with his feelings about his experience with his foster family. There are also other people who help with respect to Rei's development as a character like his teacher Hayashida who assists him in his life as a student, despite having the option not to go to school and focus only in shogi. Even fellow shogi players like Nikaidou is relevant to his development as the sense of rivalry makes him evaluate his self-worth. This part of the show is just in equal footing with shogi in terms of relevance to the development of the story and its characters.

For my final thoughts on this show adaptation-wise, I think Shaft did a great job with it. Like I said in my introduction, it wasn’t the animated masterpiece I expected it to be. It took a while for me to really vibe with what Shaft is trying to do with it, but it really manages to capture the essence of the show. I always envisioned the 3gatsu adaptation as really bleak, with hints of heartwarming moments, but Shaft managed to adapt it into something colorful and artistic. How it executes various scenes that incorporate symbolism with Rei’s almost lifeless narration is beautiful. I can’t forget in the first episode in which Rei did a shogi match with his foster father. The brilliance of how Rei’s past is flashed every time a shogi piece moves was so emotional for me. If there is one major criticism I have with the show though, it would be how it transitions serious scenes with downright slapstick chibi comedy. It’s kind of off-putting at times, but it’s not bothersome enough to ruin the show.

Overall, even without my slight bias for it as a fan of the manga, it is still a show worth checking out especially if you love slice-of-life. I could’ve given it a higher score, but it’s not yet there in terms of development. I’m glad this is going to get another season and hope more people discover this gem I’ve cherished for a long time.

3-gatsu no Lion is adapted from Umino Chika’s (also known for Hachimitsu to Clover) award winning manga of the same name. Some people tend to be worried when they hear that studio Shaft is going to be adapting anything, but Shaft perfectly adapted the already great manga of 3-gatsu no Lion in a very creative way, as they usually do.
3-gatsu no Lion tells a story about a boy that tries to find a place where he belongs and is accepted, a story that consists of many different parts, each of which can stir up many different kinds of emotions, and when all of them ... come together, they make this amazing series.

The story that 3-gatsu no Lion tells is that of Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old boy who has faced many troubles and sadness despite his young age. His losing his family when he was still a child and even facing problems while living with his adoptive family, have caused him many traumas and insecurities and made his personality reclusive. While trying to find a way to escape from that pressure, he decides to live alone, in Tokyo, but how is he going to make it on his own? The only thing that Rei is talented at and can depend on is shogi, since he is one of the few people who became professional players while in middle school. But even like that, Rei sometimes faces pressure from the shogi community, he can’t take proper care of himself and doesn’t have any friends.
That’s when he meets the Kawamoto sisters, who are determined to take care of Rei and make him feel less lonely with their hospitality.
As he struggles to maintain himself physically and mentally, he slowly meets and interacts with more people, from the shogi community, school or his family, and gets to understand his own complex emotions.

3-gatsu no Lion is more of a slice of life/drama series with some comedy, but there is focus on shogi, too, which also helps the story progress and the characters develop. Although shogi is one of the basic elements of the anime, it’s really not necessary to know anything about it and understand exactly how they are playing in order to know what’s going on and enjoy the matches. Everything you need to know is told by the characters, through the great description of their feelings and thoughts during the matches.
The narration is simply amazing, the more you watch and listen to the characters talking, the more you are getting drawn in this wonderful story. The way the characters describe how they feel, the troubles they are facing, the dialogues and interactions between them, all seem extremely realistic and even relatable, you can understand exactly what they are going through just by hearing them talking. And as they are thinking through the monologues and they interact with each other, their feelings gradually change, which offers great development to the story and the characters.
It certainly looks like a simple and slow paced story but it can be serious and dramatic, but also very heartwarming and with more lighthearted moments, each of these parts is perfectly handled.
As for the adaptation, studio Shaft did a remarkable job and remained completely faithful to the source material, following the chapters and the dialogues exactly as they should.

The best and main part of 3-gatsu no Lion and what makes it as great as it is, is definitely the characters and their development.
The main character of this story may be Rei, but all of the characters receive the necessary amount of focus. They are all amazingly fleshed out, deep, they feel realistic and have unique and interesting personalities. Even the ones that you would consider characters with a mean personality, are enjoyable to watch, you can sympathize with them and they have a reason behind their actions.
All of them get gradually developed and more of their backstory, personality, thoughts and feelings are continuously revealed.
The character with the greatest and most obvious growth is, of course, Rei, who keeps changing throughout the whole series, but the other character's growth is also impressive.
The relationships between the characters also feel very human and watching their interactions is always enjoyable.

Moving on to the art and animation, it’s obvious that Shaft did an astonishing job. They used the unique art style of Umino Chica without changing anything and added their own special, creative touches as they usually do. The result was aesthetically beautiful, with nice and unique character designs, detailed backgrounds and great cinematography.
The expressions of the characters are great and perfectly used in both the serious and the funny scenes.
There are also many metaphorical scenes with great symbolism, that depict the characters' thoughts and emotions in a very creative way.
The color palette is also very nice and the colors are used correctly according to what each scene wants to show. They can go from really dark colors that show up when the characters are anxious, tense or depressed, to brighter and cuter ones for the more lighthearted scenes. The shift of the colors really adds to the whole experience and makes us understand better how the characters feel at that moment, especially when it comes to the serious and dramatic scenes.

The music used in 3-gatsu no Lion is great, it always fits the scenes perfectly and helps them convey their overall feeling better.
The first OP and ED, “Answer” and “Fighter” by BUMP OF CHICKEN, are truly beautiful. It’s nice how they used “Fighter” as the ED song, since it was the song used for the first collaboration between the band and the author, a short music video of 3-gatsu no Lion.
The second OP, "Sayonara Bystander” by YUKI, and ED, "orion" by Kenshi Yonezu, are also pretty nice and fit the anime.
Even the shogi song, "Nyaa Shougi Ondo” by the sisters’ VAs (Kana Hanazawa, Ai Kayano and Misaki Kuno), was pretty cute and offered some information about shogi.
Another nice detail is the cute sound effects and the animals’ little dialogues, which are pretty funny.
The voice actors did a great job and managed to convey the characters’ feelings perfectly.

3-gatsu no Lion may look like a very simple story, with no really extraordinary elements. But the way it manages to handle and describe all the complex, but human feelings and thoughts of the characters so naturally and perfectly, is what makes 3-gatsu no Lion a masterpiece. The many different situations that the anime depicts, the dramatic ones or the heartwarming ones will definitely stir up your emotions and tug at your heartstrings.
It may not be an anime that pleases everyone’s tastes, but it is definitely unique, realistic, refreshing and worth dedicating some of your time to watch it.

Overall rating [9.2]

Story [9.1]
This show starts extremely slow. It looks like it is going to go nowhere and the description saying that this show is about shogi doesn't help it one bit. But then comes the actual story which is great. It blends the shogi with the drama in a way that doesn't seem forced and fits into the story. It honestly made me think about the characters as persons but we will get to that later.

Art and Animation [8.8]
The art of the source material got adapted great into animation. It leads into an almost perfect mix if not being for some hiccups in ... the quality in some later episodes. The art is great but the problem is that still shots get used too often. Don´t get me wrong still shots can greatly improve some scenes but it just gets used too much to the point that at later episodes it gets you out of the experience.

Sound [8.5]
Both of the openings are incredible. BUMP CHICKEN and YUKI did a great job with their respective songs "Answer" and "Sayonara Bystander." Personally, I prefer "Sayonara Bystander" as a song but the animation doesn´t mix properly. "Answer" while not having the same emotional impact as "Sayonara Bystander" it is still a great freaking song that gets you hyped and the animation fully supports it.

Character [9.7]
These are some of the greatest supporting characters of the last year. The sisters are incredible by making the story much easier to handle while not falling into a forgettable category. My favorite character goes to the middle sister Hinata since I actually see her as a fully developed character with motivations and dreams. The best part about the sisters is that their lives do not revolve around the main character which is a problem most animes suffer from. The problem with the cast is the main character and his family. They never seemed like actual people and especially the sister seemed too cruel and psychotic to be taken seriously. I honestly cannot see myself encountering any of these people anywhere in the world and that is the part that doesn't sell me completely.

Enjoyment [9.0]
This is a great series that hooked me up from start to finish the problem is some of the passing. The beginning was a bit slow and some of the later halves of the show took away some of the enjoyment since they took me out of the experience. Aside from that, I think that the series was a great adaptation of the source material having read it myself.

Conclusion
I would recommend this series to anyone that is ready to experience something more than your usual circle of things you want to watch. This is a perfect passageway to people who want to expand their horizons and see the beauty in life. This is why my overall rating is a 9.2.

Hope you found this review useful

This is my first review so I would appreciate if you could gic¡ve me any feedback regarding my writing style and things that I could improve on.

This anime is charming in its subject matter and artchoices which are simply stunning. The story is gripping because of the gravity and emotions of the thoughts and feelings behind it, while also coupled with unexpected hilarious scenes that lighten it up enough to not feel overbearing.

You should not expect something action filled or a driving narrative from this anime, because that is not what it's trying to be. Instead, it focusses on the inner thought processes of various characters, though mostly Rei. It's very slow paced and can seem depressing at times, but luckily, just at the moments when things seem to get ... too heavy, there will be a funny moment to relieve the viewer of the tension.

It is definitely worth watching.

NON-SPOILER

NOTE: I am only on episode 6 waiting for 7 at the time I write this.

So, lets get into this shall we.

Visuals: While the visuals aren't bad, they were new to me, the way the character's lips are drawn anyway. It's pretty darn good visuals, and its detailed, giving the main character, Rei, a generally grim face most the time, most befitting his character.
Transitions from scenes are good, and I'm finding myself like the art style more and more each episode. Also the OP is pretty good and the ED

Sound: Well, the sound is pretty good. The OP is good, and the ED is good. ... The music hasn't really stuck out to me much. The sound effects are pretty good. Overall their good.

Characters: Well, each character is done extremely well, yes even the grandpa and Momo (especially momo) Regardless they are all very well done. Each has their own uniqueness to them, making me crave even more next week.

Story: It's brilliant! Each character deals with their trials differently, and it is very entertaining to see how they deal with it. Furthermore it is extremely interesting to see Rei become closer to the three sisters as the story progresses! The story is equally balanced among all the characters, with of course Rei being the main.

Enjoyment: I'm enjoying each episode each week. I genuinely am hoping for specific things to happen, and it is fun to see it all play out!

I hope you try March Comes In Like A Lion out for yourself, and form your own opinion.

“The further you go, the steeper it becomes, and there won’t be anyone around you.” – Rei Kiriyama

I feel I lack the vocabulary and eloquence to adequately express how special Sangatsu no Lion truly is, but i'll attempt to do my best nonetheless.

Depression is a silent battle. Constantly waging war against yourself. What happiness you can grasp is constantly sinking into an ocean of nothingness. You are nothing, you have nothing.

Sangatsu no Lion does not shy away from showing it's viewers the reality of the soul crushing torment that depression is. The protagonist of the story isn't a faultless man embarking on ... the hero's journey, he's apprehensive, unsure of himself and engulfed in loneliness. Although this may be the case, Rei is a hero. A champion for the broken, a beacon in the night. He is you and I.

Rei's battle with depression is captivating to say the least. Losing his family and being adopted into another, he uses shogi to appeal to his foster father and gain his approval. Through his immense talent and hard work he becomes a professional in the shogi world, but as a side effect he alienates his adoptive father's biological children. He then decides to live alone and chase after shogi, isolating himself. It's at this point that the story begins.

The vicious cycle of win or become nothing becomes Rei's life. He isn't satisfied with how things have turned out but he continues to press forward because that's what is expected of him. His life has essentially become a vice as he suffers quietly in solitude.

The show is by definition a sports anime and doesn't shy away from that fact. Even if you were to peel away the dramatic story elements, the direction in the each shogi match is stellar. Every move is tense and efficient, as the players place their shogi pieces down with a satisfying clack, demanding the other player acknowledge their move. It's all extremely atmospheric, and you feel as if you were sitting right next to the board. Chika Umino has a deep understanding and respect for shogi and it definitely shines through.

Now, to pivot back to story elements.

The world of professionals is cutthroat and Rei soon comes to realise that the only way for him to remain one is to douse the hopes and dreams of each opponent he defeats. But why should he? Why should he be the one to attain victory? Why him?

Through all the uncertainty, self-doubt, self-loathing and pain, a figure appears and lends a hand to Rei as if to pull him from the depths of his mind to start anew. Akari, Hinata and Momo Kawamoto are thrust upon him.

Like Rei, the Kawamoto's have also experienced loss, the tragic death of their mother has left them incomplete. Broken but united, the Kawamoto family embraces Rei as one of their own. Through all of the pain, Rei begins to learn of the struggle of others. The Kawamoto sisters are as human as he is, they also all share the pain of losing a loved one and this commonality bonds them to each other. Scenes of Rei surrounded by the girls and simply having a conversation were enough to bring me to tears. The only way I think I could describe Rei's relatonship with the Kawamoto household in words would be 'sweetness'. It's this same sweetness that Rei must separate himself from as he feels he isn't deserving of it.

Depression is an irrational beast by nature and overcoming it is a arduous process. Through all the success he's achieved and friends he's made, he still feels lonely. This is the painful truth of mental illness. However, Rei decides to leap forward into the abyss and towards finding his own undeniable happiness. To say Rei's journey is inspiring would be an understatement. As someone who has battled with chronic depression for a majority of their life, Sangatsu no Lion portrays how isolating and painful it can be perfectly.

I've seen Sangatsu no Lion criticised for it's slow pacing while I on the contrary believe the slow, methodical building to be a necessity. Each character has a role, every dialogue exchange and scene has a purpose, to have such a unique and dynamic cast of characters would be impossible if it weren't for that fact that they all have backstories and lives that are completely fleshed out and interesting. You can't rush greatness.

As this is an adaptation, an animation studio must adapt it. Shaft's unorthodox approach to storytelling has often been hit or miss with me, ventures like the Monogatari Series often take a wildly esoteric approach to storytelling. The director of said series, Akiyuki Shibou, steers the ship that is Sangatsu no Lion. At a first glance I was definitely worried that he would employ the same over the top, no holds barred direction style that he's come to be known for but to my surprise he shows a more restrained, thoughtful direction style. Characters in close-up slowly turning to one another, quick cuts of a noisy shogi player fidgeting, it all lent itself to the atmosphere quite well, suffice to say I was surprised, even beyond that I was thoroughly and consistently blown away by his direction. Paired with Chika Umino's visionary level of storytelling, Sangatsu no Lion became a living, breathing creation. The art and music perfectly compliment each other as you feel chills run down your spine in tense scenes and your heart filled to the brim in the Kawamoto house. It's all masterful.

Through all of the suffering and anguish, the clouds will eventually part and you'll be exactly where you need to be, this is the powerful sentiment the show carries. Misery is combatable, you just need to be brave enough to face it. There is beauty in life, you just need to be able to see it.

Sangatsu no Lion might be the most powerful piece of media I've encountered to this date and for that i'm eternally grateful.

Please watch this show.

It has romance or not?
Some will ask this question before risking to see this anime and my answer is probably not, since if there is almost imperceptible but this did not guide you in the wrong way since if there are a couple of relationships with prospect, but dont expect a lot of them, it contains deep themes that can be appreciated in many ways depending on each one, every relationship that connects with the MC (main character) has its complex history and that puts you fuller in her, the characters You love them or hate them, even comes to play with your emotions, ... this is undoubtedly one of the best anime that i has seen, said this I beg you to give it a chance since you will not regret it and for those who are looking for romance, I am the same To you and the fact that there is no strong romance you love this anime.

Sangatsu no Lion is filled with important life lessons that is taught to us in style. It has great music, quality animation and a fantastic art style. All of this added with the writing makes for an experience to say the least. I want to also mention that the first episode of this show made my heart ache pretty hard and it didn’t take long to understand why. I felt like I understood Rei’s character quickly because I was Rei at one point. I did everything not because I enjoyed it but because it was necessary, I was unsure of what I really ... wanted to do and how I wanted to live. I felt like I could disappear at any moment and no one would notice. Communicating with others was a chore and all I could really do is sit there and stare blankly at the person I was supposed to be communicating to. Looking back, it honestly felt awful.

Story/Characters/Writing (9/10):

The story of Sangatsu no Lion can be simplified to it being a story about life, but it is much more intricate than that. Like shogi there are many different pieces involved each with different roles to play. The author used shogi as a tool to give the viewer more insight on the characters and on life, this is done very well. Rei is the character who rightfully gets most of the character development. Other characters like the Kawamoto family is also focused on but nowhere near as much. I was completely fine with this as I was much more interested in Rei than others. The side characters are well used to further develop Rei’s character while they themselves get developed little amounts at a time. My biggest problem with this show was its comedy. Although it may not be tagged as a comedy, there was still a considerable amount of comedy in it, and it was very hit or miss. Sometimes it got a chuckle out of me, other times it just felt forced.

Art/Animation (9.5/10):

Each episode is presented to us with unique visuals that reflects what is being said perfectly, this all thanks to studio Shaft’s creative way of adapting works. Each time they switch styles it doesn’t throw me out of the experience, in fact it makes me feel more involved with the characters. They somehow made each style perfectly embody what the characters were trying to convey. Although I’m usually not into the more bright, bubbly type of art akin to shoujo works, I felt this was done extremely well.

Sound (8.5/10):

The voice actors did a wonderful job portraying their individual characters. Almost all lines I felt were delivered very well and held the emotion they were supposed to. The soundtrack was also very good. It was done by Yukari Hashimoto the same composer as Penguindrum, once again she delivers a wonderful soundtrack. I feel this one was even better though because of what Sangatsu no Lion is. I especially love the delicate piano pieces.

Overall (9.1/10):

This is very good, more than that even. I think this first season of Sangatsu no Lion was a considerable amount better than the second season. I could relate to it much more than the second season making it much more emotional than the second season. It has fantastic writing, its art and animation is too good, the voice cast is great, and the soundtrack is also very great. The only thing that held this show back from getting a higher score was its comedy.

(This review has been adapted from my blog/reddit thread. Spoilers ahead!)

The pawns were my friends, the knights my family, and the queen my lover. For I was king.

When it came to chess, I was the best. In my corner of the world, anyway. I lived the sport as much as I could. Winning school tournaments, going to summer camps to learn new skills. Squaring off against multiple opponents simultaneously. Practicing with a plastic travel set and a versus timer and a book on named openings. For a while, chess was my calling. A passion that neither bishop nor rook could squander.

Today, that’s no longer the ... case. Writing, programming, and other -ing’s have replaced what was once my kingly domain. But, even today, having not played chess for years, I know that I could go back to that board. See the same familiar pieces. And they would invite me back with open arms (if they had arms, anyway).

Because, just as 3-gatsu no Lion would claim, what we experience never really leaves us – and that there’s always someone waiting to lend a loving hand.

STORY

3-gatsu centers on a young man named Rei Kiriyama. As only the fifth shogi player to become a professional while still in middle school, the prodigy engages in hard-fought battles in this sport of the mind. However, his most daunting battlefield occurs off the board. In a place simply called “life.” But thanks to Akari, Hinata, and Momo, three kindhearted sisters in his neighborhood who have taken him under their wings, Rei survives onward, fending off “attacks” all around him.

According to outside sources and information about the series in its current state, this season of 3-gatsu is merely the first of many. In what is meant to be a very long, very articulate journey (should the original author, SHAFT, and the anime gods will it). Thus, these introductory twenty-two episodes have the honor of setting up its story for the audience. What it entails, where it plans to go, and why any of it matters at all.

And like a shogi board primed for an upcoming match, 3-gatsu sets up said story with expert ease.

It doesn’t take too long to understand that shogi in and of itself makes for an important plot element for this anime. This sport forms the crux of many of the events and becomes the driving force behind Rei’s actions. It’s essentially Japanese chess except it includes a few extra pieces (the lance, the golden general, etc.).

While nothing extensive, 3-gatsu teaches the audience about these different pieces and the overall structure, letting the audience have a better grasp of this plot element on a technical level. And it does what it can to vary up the depicted matches. Quietness, sweltering heat, hyper-focus. While the board and the pieces never change, each match has a certain air about it that keeps them from falling prey to stagnation.

Admittedly, shogi is not the most thrilling of sports to watch. There’s no “action” besides the players picking up and placing their pieces. Moves often require many, many minutes of thinking. The environment calls for very little fanfare.

However, like most sports anime (and, indeed, most sports stories), shogi isn’t necessarily all about the spectacle. Rather, it’s a catalyst, a vehicle that allows 3-gatsu to carry its grander, more thoughtful ideas forward.

It starts by viewing shogi in a thematic sense. Yes, it’s just a bunch of wood carvings with Japanese words etched into them. But, in the larger context of the story, it means so much more.

Shogi is a singular sport; the player can only rely on himself or herself. In a way, it’s rather lonely, almost isolated. Yet it’s also a dual (and duel) sport. Someone else takes the other side of the board, forcing two minds, two ideals, and two people to clash. In a broader sense, shogi requires a winner and a loser (which is almost always the case based on the rules). Each player can only control his or her own pieces, meaning they themselves command their fate. And the game’s rooted tradition and strict etiquette mask the tumultuous feelings harbored within.

As described, and considering the context of 3-gatsu, shogi is a metaphor for life itself. Individuals act on their own and interact with others, controlling what they themselves say and do. They “win” and they “lose” all the time. They don’t always reveal how they feel, for emotions aren’t the simplest to explain.

The parallels here are important because, outside of shogi, where 3-gatsu truly matters, life and what it encompasses takes precedence on a thematic and narrative level.

For instance, one of the anime’s most pronounced characteristics is its tonal range. The story will often swing back and forth between extremely heartwarming and utterly crestfallen, raising and lowering the audience’s emotions without remorse. It can be slightly jarring at times, but this dichotomy speaks to life’s own emotional rollercoaster. How happiness and sadness are closer than one may believe.

Furthermore, both sides of the spectrum elevate 3-gatsu’s plot points and explore its vital themes. On the happy end, Akari, Hinata, and Momo’s nostalgic, loving home is Rei’s “kotatsu.” They implore the importance of togetherness. That a belly full of food, a few good laughs, and a company of loved ones is all it takes to warm the soul. On the sad end, Rei’s barren apartment with an equally lonely lifestyle stresses reality’s gloomier corner. While tough to stomach, depression is a formidable foe that cannot always be cured with a touching smile (let alone a silver general).

To reach these ends and continue its exploration on life, the show fills its space with even more thematic exploration. It focuses on family – Akari and the girls, Rei’s deceased family, his foster family – to highlight how such close bonds both heal and harm. It emphasizes certain mindsets like having no regrets and refusing to lose. It talks about self-worth and the challenges people face in their own lives.

Yet the most intriguing thematic element (besides shogi) is its most prevalent feature: water. For Rei, water symbolizes so many of his darker thoughts: suffocation, obstruction, restriction. But it also symbolizes what could possibly be: refreshing, buoyant, sustainable.

In one scene, a thunderous storm hearkens harsh ocean waves that drown his mind. Then, in another scene, he’ll take a swig from his plastic bottle at home to quench his thirst. Indeed, water is a constant in Rei’s life. A duality that, once again, plays to the anime’s strengths through its thematic connections to life and its clear, precise presence.

All this thematic discussion hasn’t even elaborated on 3-gatsu’s main plot points and story beats.

Part of what grounds the show’s story is how much Rei loses. Despite his prodigy status, his losses up the realism of his current situation while readying him for his eventual climb later. They also put into perspective where he is at in his life and the strength of his numerous opponents.

It also has its memorable scenes. More specifically, Rei’s breakdown in episode ten explodes out the emotions he has been keeping trapped inside himself. He basically yells at the world for making him think everything is always his fault, and that giving up or giving in is not an option for him or anyone. As Nikaidou would put it, Rei “doesn’t want to lose” – in every sense of the phrase.

And extra narrative facets keep the story progressing. Foreshadowing with the top shogi player as the beast to beat. A subplot involving Kyouko’s jerkwad “boyfriend.” Rei’s decision to stay away from Akari, Hinata, and Momo’s home for much of the second half of the season is not only seen but felt. The creation of the shogi club at Rei’s school makes for an optimistic finale moving forward.

Even after all this analyzing, 3-gatsu presents even more to its audience. Effective comedy. Interesting dialogue. Purposeful chapter structure. Simply put, as the introductory portion to this story, the anime roars like a ferocious lion preparing for what will unfold.

ART & ANIMATION

When watching 3-gatsu, its actual animation soars during scenes where it overexaggerates the Kawamoto sisters’ actions or forms a fantastical aside. (Shogi remains quite the stationary sport.) But it’s the impressive artistry and the technical finesse that allow this show to reach ever higher heights.

Above anything else, the anime loves its visual metaphors. From a pair of balloons floating upwards through the sky to gallons of water submerging Rei as he sits on the steps leading to the school rooftop, 3-gatsu constantly creates thoughtful, engaging scenes. They not only bolster the ideas of the show but also provide the audience with yet another thematic layer to think about.

The show has tons of flair, too. A first-person perspective obfuscated by strands of hair. Shifts in camera angles, like a top-down view of Akari as her cats whirl around her. Multiple styles shifted between seamlessly: rough, quirky, sharp, involved. The sheer amount of techniques employed, the obvious attention to cinematography, and the risks taken with its vast variance turn this slice-of-life drama into both an outstandingly diverse and an artistically worthwhile endeavor.

To go even further, 3-gatsu also focuses intently on the overall look and feel of the visuals themselves. Color choices reach across the rainbow, sparking lots of contrast between its melancholic mood (blues, greys, blacks) and its sweet serenity (oranges, yellows, pinks). A noticeably soft approach ushers in a calm setting while still carrying its weighty, solemn baggage. And its backgrounds – from inside the sisters’ home to the imaginative moments – persist as a constant example of the anime’s artistic integrity.

And one cannot ignore the designs of the characters, for they evoke the same sense of wonder that the rest of the visuals deliver. Generally, they’re rather unique in their facial details: lines fill out their eyes, their mouths are slightly thicker than normal, their gazes often exude a gentle aura.

Individually, Akari’s ponytail draped over her shoulder, her purple-colored eyes, small hairpin, cardigan sweaters, usual apron, and ample assets paint her as the womanly goddess she is. Hinata’s long twin-tailed hair, her smaller physique, girly outfits, and sincere smile captures her energy and kindness. Momo’s short, light-orange hair and wide eyes highlight her cute and childish status that much more.

There’s also Rei with his frazzled black hair, green eyes, glasses, white buttoned-up shirt, and jeans that give him a nerdy, quiet look that fits his character all too well. The girls’ grandpa’s squareness. Smith’s tall, Western vibe. Kyouko’s brown overcoat and devilish beauty. Nikaidou’s rotund shape and Shimada’s lanky frame. The characters’ designs are interesting and attractive and different.

Exactly like the rest of 3-gatsu’s artistry.

CHARACTERS

In 3-gatsu, the characters exemplify their respective roles: the main protagonist, the supporting cast, and so on. But they represent much more than just what a literary definition could ascribe. In fact, they continue the exploration of the anime’s themes through thoughtful ideas and progression of their own.

As the star of this tale, Rei Kiriyama doesn’t lead the most eventful of lives. He wakes up each day without anybody around. He puts on his clothes and munches on some convenience-store food before making the long walk and the sad train ride to his local shogi hall. He plays a couple of games in relative silence. Then he goes back home. To a desolate, no-drapes apartment where he practices the sport by himself – which is arguably one of the loneliest activities imaginable – in the middle of his wide-open room. Only to fall asleep, wake up, and go through the whole process ad infinitum.

Loneliness characterizes Rei to a depressing degree. From him eating his cold lunch by himself to sitting outside on the cold concrete as the wind howls about him, Rei is often alone. Sometimes of his own choosing, sometimes because it can’t be helped. But this void follows him nonetheless.

And it always has. The true beginning of Rei’s loneliness starts with the tragic death of his parents and his little sister in a freak car accident. Having lost those held most dear to him, he doesn’t know what to do. So, he latches onto shogi – to keep his thoughts focused and to numb the pain in his heart.

Rei describes his relationship with “the god of shogi” as an “ugly lie.” That he only agreed to like the sport so he could survive. Indeed, in lying, Rei’s father’s friend Kouda takes Rei in as a foster child.

Unfortunately for the young boy, loneliness just won’t let go. Rei’s presence in his foster family tears them apart. As Kouda favors the prodigy player, his other kids suffer. His son Ayumu regresses into seclusion, and Kyouko succumbs to rebellion and seethes with rage. Rage that she takes out on Rei through physical abuse.

This form of abuse is new to Rei, but abuse in general is not. For, as a school student, he has often been ignored or neglected by others, enduring mental abuse without really knowing it. Their bullying stops Rei from reaching out to anyone except for the ants on the ground. Even more loneliness for the lonely protagonist.

Rei, realizing what he (inadvertently) does to his new family, separates himself from them, choosing the path of a professional shogi player to keep his unluckiness from spreading. Sadly, despite his quick rise in the shogi world, Rei hits a block of sorts. With expectations of his future set high, and people (outwardly or not) questioning his abilities, loneliness further tightens around him.

Up to now, Rei is a “liar.” A “home-wrecker.” A “loser.” His situation is practically unfair and wholly unbearable. However, a wholesome, miraculous light in his life keeps him going: the Kawamoto sisters.

Across a couple of bridges and down a few roads, Akari, Hinata, and Momo accept Rei as one of their own. They brighten the atmosphere with delicious food, energetic actions, and cuteness galore. Through their personalities, nostalgia permeates the air. Warmth radiates outward. Kindness envelops everything.

Rei may not word it exactly this way, but, for him, their home is heaven on Earth. It’s one of the only places where he can truly feel at ease. Where his loneliness must wait at the door and his happiness grows to levels he never thought possible.

It’s all thanks to the girls themselves. Beginning with Akari, she dotes on Rei as much as she can. She saves him from his “friends” and their “drinking game.” She leads the charge in curing his cold. She speaks earnestly with him about matters. She directly invites him over or slyly involves him in other ways to get him active.

Akari’s thoughtfulness cannot be understated. She looks after her two little sisters by herself. She works at her grandpa’s shop and her aunt’s lounge. She remains emotionally strong despite the pain they have experienced in their own lives. And that’s not even the half of it. Akari is not only the best supporting character in 3-gatsu but also one of the best in all of anime.

Hinata doesn’t earn the same accolades, but that certainly doesn’t mean she isn’t without her own incredibly supportive nature. She is genuinely glad to see more sides of Rei’s personality. She thinks about how he’s doing when he’s not around. She overcomes “boundaries” like giving him food in front of and inquiring about Kyouko. Hinata’s heartwarming relationship with Rei proves that she cares deeply about him – more so than he may realize.

And Momo supports in her own way, too. She’s a toddler, so she understandably can’t do much. But, as she views Rei as her older brother and dances excitedly whenever he arrives, she subconsciously gives him a sense of responsibility and self-esteem that nobody can replicate.

Akari, Hinata, and Momo are amazing supporters. So much so, in fact, that they even know when not to support. While the second half of the season contains less of these three than one would prefer, them giving Rei space argues for the fact that, sometimes, it’s best to let a person focus on what he or she needs to so that they, too, can help themselves.

That’s not easy to do, though. Despite the girls caring for him, and despite his determination, Rei still struggles. He experiences agony. Arrogance. Anger. Just as the people in his life influence him, he affects himself through the actions and thoughts he takes. That is, loneliness cannot always be blamed on everyone else. It’s also up to that person to do something about it.

So, Rei does just that. He divulges his feelings to Yuusuke about going back to school and not wanting to run away. He reaffirms why he played shogi in the first place when he remembers the games that had his father really thinking hard. He agrees to forming the joint shogi-science club at his school to earn him a new set of friends.

Just as things start to look a bit brighter, Kyouko injects herself into Rei’s life. Now an adult, Kyouko preys on Rei. She isn’t laughably maniacal or in possession of some mega power. Instead, she simply uses her words. To spite, to hurt, and to poison her foster brother.

Kyouko’s manipulation, her uncomfortably forward physicality makes their relationship an abusive yet striking one. She loves him to death and despises his guts. She hates her father, she fell for a man one too many years her senior, and she is beyond selfish. As Momo would put it, she’s a “witch” – but also somebody in desperate need of support. Altogether, her complicated thoughts and her complex feelings turn her into one of the best “villains” to grace the medium in a long while.

As for Rei, despite her abuse and their unique relationship, he wants to help his foster sister. And it’s this reversal of roles, where he can be there for someone who is lonely, that ultimately gets at 3-gatsu’s most important theme.

To reiterate, Akari, Hinata, and Momo support Rei however they can. But they aren’t the only ones who do so. Nikaidou is Rei’s rival, motivator, and friend. Takashi may not always have tact, but he sincerely guides Rei as both a teacher and as an adult. His foster father calls him on his cell phone multiple times when he isn’t responding. Shimada mentors Rei in the art of shogi, shows him what it means to persevere, teaches him what matters most when all is said and done, and gives him the chance to finally be relied on.

In other words, there is always someone nearby who cares. Rei has lost. He has been bullied. He has been hurt. But he has never truly been alone. For, all around him, from the Kawamoto sisters to the man who “cracked open his skull,” people in Rei’s life love him in one way or another.

This sentiment applies to the audience, making it the biggest takeaway from this first season. Life can be cruel, mean, and unfair. Yet, despite the problems people face and the seemingly insurmountable terrors they confront, there’s always someone nearby who cares.

Sure, it may not be people as perfect as Akari, Hinata, and Momo. But maybe it’s a close parent or a significant other or a friend that hasn’t been spoken to in years. No matter the case, someone is out there. Right now. Ready and willing to replace that loneliness with support of their own.

MUSIC & SOUND

Just as 3-gatsu’s story, art, and characters demonstrate their power, the music and the sound that surrounds the entire experience does the same.

Its opening tracks, “Answer” and “Sayonara Bystander,” fill the air with optimistic tones, rhyming lyricism, strong vocal work, catchy instrumentation, and various emotions. They create a set of powerful songs which capture the anime’s drive to tell a tale that’s both thoughtful and real. Their ability to not only kick off each episode with the right mood in mind but also invoke a sense of longing in the audience stands as a testament to their overwhelming strength.

Its ending tracks have a similar level of strength but go down different routes. The first ED, “Fighter,” embodies its title with a determined beat, sincere singing, and an empowering background choir. In comparison, the second ED, “orion,” incorporates hip-hop, distinct snapping, and smooth harmonizing to uplift the audience with grounded delivery. Together, they represent the show’s grander sense of hope and perseverance against the odds and the adversity that life so regularly throws into the mix.

Continuing with the spirit of the show, 3-gatsu’s original soundtrack implements music that strikes at the heart of its own ideals. In one track, crystal rings loudly to chill the air and to hallow out the atmosphere. In another track, zippy xylophone playing and a pronounced tuba reflect the infectious happiness of the Kawamoto sisters. In other tracks, piano moves effortlessly from soft and melancholic to fun and free as the mood shifts accordingly. Combined with acoustic guitars, marching drums, grating sounds, and a whole host of other instrumental work, the OST dares anyone to denounce its craftsmanship.

The voice-acting performances likewise stand tall. Ai Kayano as Akari uses a mature and loving voice that brings calm and comfort in droves. Kana Hanazawa as Hinata ups the silliness levels with her boisterous tone. Misaki Kuno’s cheerful way of speaking directly equates to the toddler’s cute behavior. Kengo Kawanishi as Rei narrates his loneliness well while also ranging in his emotions throughout the season. And Nobuhiko Okamoto as Nikaidou yells and motivates with care and without end.

Two special side-shout-outs go to Ms. Kayano, Ms. Hanazawa, and Ms. Kuno. First for voicing the cats. 3-gatsuverbalizing the cats’ inner thoughts was unexpected and hilarious, the three leading women making it so. Second, and speaking of cats, the anime’s special ending track “Nyaa Shougi Ondo” also deserves props. It was cool to see the creators go out of their way to (some extent) teach the sport of shogi to the audience. Even more impressive was making it into a song, using a cat motif, and having the women once again contribute with singing of their own (and few “nyaa” lyrics).

None of these musical pieces and performances mention the show’s attention to other sound-effects. The clack of a placed shogi piece. A growing-ever-louder grandfather clock. The plunging of water. The anime goes everywhere with its metaphors, comedy, and emotions, and the included sound-effects always keep up, rounding out this aural experience in fantastic fashion.

ENJOYMENT

In my introduction, I wrote about my chess-dweeb era. It’s something that I will cherish forever. Practicing with my dad on the couch while we watched television together. Defeating my fifth-grade teacher for the first time. Laughing with my friends about the dumb moves we made. I rarely, if ever, pick up a pawn nowadays, but chess will always be a part of me no matter what.

Chess and shogi aren’t technically the same, but the show got me thinking about these precious memories of mine. Yet my connection to this anime goes deeper.

I haven’t lost my family. I’ve never been abused or bullied either. Meaning, I cannot claim that my situation in life has been anything like Rei’s. But I can empathize with his emotions – because I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to be put on a pedestal only to let everyone down. To succumb to loneliness. To not seek guidance out of misplaced fear and shame when those around me clearly want to help.

I’m saving the details of my own life-altering story for a more momentous moment. Suffice it to say, though, I connect with this show beyond just the sport it depicts. And it makes me so gosh darn happy to see how, wrapped around my personal connection to this tale, the anime does almost everything right that it possibly could.

The comedy makes me laugh a ton. Akari tapping her hands on the table back at Hinata. Hinata magically and hurriedly floating through the air and out the door. Momo asking Rei if he’s her older brother or not. If it isn’t already apparent, I adore the Kawamoto sisters.

The drama sucks me in. Kyouko’s manipulation. Takashi’s wise words. Rei’s troubled life. I became so interested in what was going on that I took half a day off from work just so that I could finish the remainder of the season because I couldn’t put it down.

The content itself means a lot to me. Purposeful themes treated with respect. All the creativity behind its visual direction. The strong writing throughout. Altogether, it’s an anime that appeals to my critiquing mind.

And, while I’ve already slightly talked about her already, let it be known: I have the biggest crush on Akari. Beautiful. Motherly. Kind. Thoughtful. Sincere. Attractive. Mature. Strong. She’s nothing short of angelic, and she has become one of my favorite characters of all-time without any shred of doubt.

In fact, this crush extends to the entire project here, for I love this anime. It’s the kind of show that only comes around once in a while. An anime that represents what this medium is and demonstrates what it can do. And I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to watch it.

At this point, there’s not much else I can write down. Which means there’s really only one thing left: give it the highest honors possible.

3-gatsu no Lion proves its outstanding worth in this medium through extreme execution. A thematically heavy story. Wonderful artistry. A host of awesome characters. Superb sound choices. A wealth of entertaining moments. Like any king, it has everything and then some.

And it’s only the opening.

SUMMARY

Story: Great, as a thematically rich start to this journey, the tale explores life’s duality of happiness and sadness through shogi, nuanced narrative elements, and purposeful plot points while delivering a meaningful and expressive slice-of-life drama

Art & Animation: Great, visual metaphors, impressive variance in artistry, and lovely character designs both engage the audience and bolster the themes therein

Characters: Great, Rei’s unfortunate abuse and struggles expound on the concept of loneliness, the Kawamoto sisters define supporting characters, smart writing crafts Kyouko into a stellar “antagonist,” and a heartfelt theme on there always being someone nearby who cares solidifies the cast’s incredible strength

Music & Sound: Great, a set of powerful OPs and EDs, an emotional OST, strong VA performances, and extra additions elevate the experience even further

Enjoyment: Great, personally relatable, downright entertaining, and Akari is beyond angelic

Final Score: 10/10

We've all felt a bit lonely at some point in our lives. Yet, when we're asked to describe loneliness, it becomes somewhat difficult to express it. We take for granted the comfort of others, the warmth of a hug, and even just the presence of someone who recognizes that you exist. We feel as though there's no point to life if there's nobody to experience it with. After all, we're only human.

I think that 3-gatsu no Lion perfectly captures this type of feeling. It's one of the few shows that tells an honest story that is made only by someone who had also experienced such ... emotions. The show's use of imagery to captivate the audience, the story that is borderline tear jerking, and the music to embrace the atmosphere of the situations presented truly made this anime one of the few stories that drove me to awe every single episode.

As someone who experienced loneliness and depression before, I feel as if 3-gatsu no Lion is directly speaking to me. Though the shogi in this show is an important part of the story, I've never felt overwhelmed by all the terminology that the characters use. It is safe to say that you don't need to know a lot about shogi to appreciate the story. The story is about Rei Kiriyama and his relationship with others as he traverses through the trials of life. At the beginning of 3-gatsu no lion, we're introduced with a beautiful French song that coincides with a sweeping view of Rei simply getting ready and walking from his apartment to his next shogi game. In the background we see Rei's apartment, ragged and without furniture, the cup ramen on the floor, and a beautiful landscape of the area around him. We also see his clothes and how he conducts himself every morning as he prepares for the day. While he's walking to the shogi hall, we see him enshrouded in a crowd of people, as if he were simply a background character, emphasizing his loneliness in this sea of people living their day-to-day lives. By the end of this segment, we already know what Rei is like, and the entire scene is almost entirely without dialogue. Such masterful storytelling is very rare in anime nowadays. Whereas other anime tell their stories entirely through exposition and boring conversations, 3-gatsu no Lion tells it entirely through its animation and music to effective results. The beautiful French music mixed with ordinary scenes that many could relate to in this first episode is the epitome of this. It is moments like this that make me go, "This is why I watch anime."

The story doesn't just show Rei as a depressing character. It also shows how he tries to overcome his situation, by persevering through his sad emotions, and by strengthening his resolve and give meaning to his career in shogi. Throughout the course of the show, his past constantly comes back to haunt him, yet we see him trying his best to overcome it. Rei changes from someone who lives only for the sake of living, to someone who enjoys spending time with his newfound companions. And the change is almost unnoticeable until you take a step back and look at his character. It is thanks to the show's wonderful pacing that neither feels rushed nor too slow that helps you know Rei more on a personal level.

The side characters are also wonderful to watch, especially the moments with the three sisters -- Akari, Hinata, and of course Momo. The moments with those three just bring so much life to the show that I just wish that they had more screen time in the second half of the show. I want to know more about them and go more in-depth to their family situation and problems. And this problem extends to some of the other characters as well, as some just completely disappear. It's really a shame that they didn't get as much development as Rei did over the course of the story, but luckily there's a second season for that (hype!). Another more prominent supporting character worth mentioning is Shimada. At first, he seemed like a character who wasn't as important when he was first introduced, but I was surprised at how much depth and focus he was given in the latter half of the story. His dedication and reason for playing shogi is one of the most relatable and emotional story arcs I have ever seen, and it just goes to show the ability of the writer to make amazingly lovable characters. It just irks me that some characters didn't seem to get as much love.

The art and animation is simply stunning. Shaft really outdid themselves this time. Instead of raising the number of head tilts and the surreal, mind numbing imagery seen in their previous works, Shaft manages to strike a perfect balance between realism and dreamlike symbolism. The art style evokes a sense of comfort in the mundane, awe in the inspiring scenes, and even beauty in the depressing scenes. I often find myself just sitting in my seat appreciating the level of detail in the scenery of the background and the images that Rei conjures up in his internal monologues, never feeling overwhelmed or taken out of the story by the animation. The show is simply a master of blending art and animation with storytelling, which is what all anime should strive to do.

Of course, the music is also an important component to the memorable scenes. Where in most anime the music is there for the sake of being there, in 3-gatsu no Lion the quieter tunes add on to the scenes and build emotional resonance. For example, in a conversation when Rei is having a conversation someone who deeply admires him and asks Rei why he went back to high school, the piano in the background starts off quiet and harmonized in the background. But once the conversation became more intimate and Rei connected with this person, the piano gradually grew louder and created a sea of emotions, making this scene one of the most amazing scenes I've ever seen in anime. I was almost left in tears once that scene was over. The soundtrack is so beautiful that it is a sin not to appreciate it.

3-gatsu no Lion is such an enjoyable watch that I'm baffled that many haven't watched this amazing show yet. Not many anime could match this sort of quality, and it's a shame that shows like this get buried underneath all the mediocrity that comes out every year. If you're like me and crave for a more emotional story of striving for success and happiness in life, then this is a show for you.

March comes like a Lion has an interesting history. Despite being a Shaft show and having garnered relatively high praise for having an amazing opening episode that paved the way the story would play out, it didn't seem like anyone was really watching the show while everyone turned their heads towards different things. It really was a shame that this show never got the attention that it deserved, because it truly is an amazing watch.

Story: We start with Kiriyama Rei, a professional shogi player who barely attends high school, make his way to the shogi hall to play his routine matches. Quietly, ... he sits as he plays a game until his opponent admits defeat and leaves without saying a word. He makes his way to the three sisters that live in a house on the other side of the river and utters the first of his lines in the series.

A dense, twenty-two episode journey, 3-gatsu's story is wrapped around Rei and his journey to break out of the shell that he has spent around eleven years in and open himself to the world around him. Utilizing Shaft's (or particularly Shinbou's) style of visual storytelling, each episode is filled to the brim with each of our characters' stories and gives us insight to the personal struggles they live with, or the trials that they've overcome through the use of visual metaphors and internal narrative in order to convey the feelings and emotions that are pasted on-screen. While I personally don't find the style of Akiyuki Shinbou to fit a lot of things, 3-gatsu is one of those exceptions where I find his style to work VERY well and would work pretty poorly without it.

At its core, 3-gatsu is a character-based show that spends the lion's share of its runtime with character development and interaction. It has this slow but consistent build-up from the start of episode one to the last episode that builds up how its characters change over time, culminating into a something that can only be described as beautiful. But every rose has its thorns.

The show is very dense with content and really wants to give us the story of everyone they introduce, but given the time constraints and just how dense the story feels, many if not all of the stories feel incomplete. Not only that, but the story feels like its running off of the tracks in the latter half of the series by shifting to a completely new character and having Rei take a backseat in the background. While the quality of the series during this period was still consistent, I couldn't help but feel a little cheated due to the fact that the series at this time wasn't about Rei, and I feel like this period of time created a gap between his story and the audience that almost makes him feel less important despite being the main character.

Not only that, but the show has comedic moments that hurt the series sometimes. While the comedy that the show exhibits does coincide with the situation that they're placed in, a lot of it clashes with the seriousness of the situation before it, thus creating this VERY jarring shift in tone that I personally wasn't a big fan of seeing. It kind of erased the seriousness of the situation and I wished they could've handled it better so that every profound statement that Rei was saying wasn't followed up by some crazy shenanigan from the crazy cast of characters that were following behind him.

Despite that, the show managed to pull off a fitting ending to the series that backtracks and shows the emotional journey that the audience went on while seeing Rei grow out of his shell and ride into the light away from the darkness that he secluded himself in. The ending provides a look into the fruits of his labor and is honestly one of the most satisfying endings I've seen in a while.

Overview:
+ Great pacing with a dense, investable story
+ Lots and lots of character development
+ Satisfying, cumulative ending
- Comedic timing hurt more than help
- Second half makes the show fall off a bit

Characters: Characters act as the most important aspect of a slice of life drama, as without them, the story has no way to push itself forward, and if done poorly, will give the audience no reason to bother rooting for the characters since they'll have no attachment to them.

First and foremost, Kiriyama Rei, our main protagonist. A professional shogi player in high school with a relatively high ranking, Rei first comes off as an introverted recluse who doesn't seem to want to associate with anyone. As the series unfolds, the story behind those glasses comes forth and we get to see more of what lies beyond that unhappy and silent exterior. A good portion of the series is split between Rei's development in the present time as he becomes accustomed to the people that have forced themselves into his life and backstory where we learn more about how the young man known as Kiriyama Rei came into being. Both aspects help make Rei's story feel real and impactful and turn him into a character that feels very much like a real person. While we do see a lot of the former, the latter leaves a lot to be desired. I feel like the backstory of Rei in certain aspects could've been handled better. The story on how he met the three sisters didn't feel like it had that much detail, and his relationship with someone who beat him up in the past feels like it could've used some attention. I feel like these are both story aspects that could've been looked upon, but weren't used simply because they ran out of time, which is a real shame.

Then we have the three sisters of Akari, Hinata, and Momo. The three sisters had a lot of potential at the start of the series as they helped crack Rei's shell at the beginning of the series, and seemed to have their own story to tell as a sort of sub-journey that we could go on. But sadly, this never came to fruition. As the series goes on, the three sisters are used less and less, and by the time the second half shows up, they're barely in the series anymore and replaced with other characters. I say this because the series synopsis heavily advertises the three sisters, yet they don't feel as important as they're let on to be. Which again, is a real shame because they seemed like they had the potential to give us an interesting story to watch.

I also want to bring attention to Shimada Kai, the character who I would argue is the protagonist of the series in the second half of the series. Kai takes the spotlight due to the shift in story arc that the series has in the second half, thus bringing his own story and struggles into the grand scheme of things. His development plays a lot like Rei's, where we're given the struggles he has both in the present day and when he was younger through backstory in internal narrative. His story is a lot shorter than Rei's, but feels a lot more complete. My only complaint with Kai is the fact that to accommodate his story, Rei had to be shelved off to the side that I occasionally forgot at times that this show was supposed to be about Rei because of how hard and drastic of a shift it was.

Beyond them, the cast is filled with varying characters with varying degrees of importance. A few have their own stories to tell, with some feeling more complete like Nikaidou's, while others feel lacking and I really feel like could use more detail like Kyouko and Gotou's. Mostly I complain about these holes in their story because I feel like the time constraint with such a dense story forced the cutting of some of its parts, making it feel incomplete.

Overview:
+ Rei's development
+ General character development for the majority of the cast
- Backstories felt incomplete
- The three sisters feel very underwhelming/underused

Art: Produced by Shaft, 3-gatsu comes out of the gate with a handdrawn artstyle with rough linework and muted colors similar to that of another show the company has made, Madoka Magica. As such, the show's art lends itself to be a flexible style that lets it effortlessly flow into serious scenes or comedic scenes without any sort of shift in its art.

As mentioned before, the visual storytelling that 3-gatsu showcases creates stunningly animated metaphors that, alongside the easy flexibility that the art has, adds to the visual experience that 3-gatsu executes. And since this is a Shinbou show, yes, there are headtilts, yes there are closeups, and yes there are the general shinbouisms that persist throughout the series. (Wouldn't be a Shaft show otherwise) Despite that fact, they don't actually use them that much throughout the series, so if you're not a fan of them like me, then goo news, there's not much of that to see.

Overview:
+ Unique, flexible artsyle
+ Stunning visual metaphors
+ Not too many shinbouisms (And yes, I consider this a good thing)

Sound: The show has two OP and ED tracks as per usual for a show spanning 2 cours. The first half has the tracks "Answer" and "Fighter", both by Bump of Chicken, while the second half has "Sayonara Bystander" by Yuki and "Orion" by Kenshi Yonezu where the tracks by Bump of Chicken and Yuki are done in emotional rock while the last ed is done in emotional piano with some synthesization.

All four of these tracks reflect Rei's struggle with clawing his way forward out of the hole he put himself in, and with the visuals that they're complimented with, that metaphor becomes all the more clear. That being said, I find the tracks by Bump of Chicken to be the most memorable if not the only tracks worth remembering. I say that mostly because the tracks in the second half don't stick out to me all that much, and the style of music that Bump of Chicken just fits the series so well that the two feel intertwined and inseparable.

Overview:
+ Good tracks
- Only about half of them are memorable

Personal Enjoyment: 3-gatsu was a series that I was determined to watch when I first read about it. Despite my rather unfavorable history with Shaft and how much I dislike Shinbou's style of storytelling, I was determined to watch it no matter how many shinbouisms were thrown at me because I truly believed it was gonna be something special even when I found out that not that many people really watched. And honestly, while it may not rank high score-wise, this is a series that speaks to me personally, and I'm really glad that I decided to watch it.

What did I like about this series?

I've already praised how much I like Bump of Chicken's work on the series's tracks and how well the character development was weaved into the series despite its flaws, so I want to get into specifics here. I think hands down my favorite moment of 3-gatsu was the ending scene of episode 10. The amount of raw emotion and power behind that scene in that point of the series was a huge catalyst for how everything else played out after that and it was honestly bone-chilling hearing those words, sticking out as one of my favorite scenes of anime to date.

What didn't I like about this series?

If I may be honest...I don't like Nikaidou. Obvious characters you're supposed to not feel sorry for aside, NIkaidou is that one character I found to be kinda irritating despite how big of a role he played in the series. There's something about that cheerful arrogance that irritated me and I wanted to poke him with a needle so he'd deflate like a balloon.

Would I recommend this series?

Yes. If you haven't watched this series, I would highly recommend putting this on the watchlist because this is one of the better series of the 2016 year. It saddens me that this show wasn't on a majority of people's radars, and as someone who saw through the whole thing and shares his opinion with of many of those who watched the series, 3-gatsu is a powerful, emotional journey that should be experienced, especially if you suffer from depression. Trust me, as someone who's suffered the same shit, this was a very positive and heartwarming experience to have.