3-gatsu no Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion

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Chica Umino is a true multi-talent genius and this work shows why because it excels at so many things that it is unbelievable to me how something like this is allowed to exist. It mixes a truly compelling character drama with excellent sports manga elements, and an outstanding cast of characters that is balanced out with its incredible humor and amazing art. Umino-sensei has an excellent understanding of the human condition because it really is just so balanced; it seamlessly transitions from deeply introspective, relatable moments regarding the pain of competition and the Rei's struggle between self-imposed isolation and trust, to hilariously funny scenes about ... these crazy ass old people and the pleasantries of everyday life. I am serious when I say that this manga has more panels than other that make me almost die laughing and I always have to try and hide the stupid smile on my face when I read it. It also always manages to construct these tight, well-constructed and fulfilling story arcs that build upon the themes and characters perfectly to create what I would regard as one of the best dramas ever made. Chica Umino has set the gold standard for good, humanistic writing, and it is for these reasons that Sangatsu no Lion leaves most of its peers in the dust.

The commendable part of sangatsu no lion is the way it worked through the development— instead of the MC-meeting-others-and-learning-from-them or other-characters-meeting-the-MC-and-changes-from-them kind of focused lense, SNL works both ways. MC meets other characters and they exchange experiences to contribute to the development of one another. Add to this detail, the fact that the MC is a 19-year-old boy Kiriyama deep into the world of Shogi that's consisted of people in different age ranges— you get to see young ones learn (new gen) and an adult to change things (veterans).

It also makes the whole jam-packed of characters, which is a usual pitfall of animanga content, very ... effective. As I have read through revs about SNL, one interpretation fits this strong point, it goes like, " SNL is the difference between content with 'loads of characters,' and content with 'loads of lives,' "

This leads to another praise that this manga deserves, that it is "well-paced slow-paced," content. This may be taken differently esp if one doesn't appreciate the combination of poetic lines and images feel to a certain event and may somehow deem it to be a form of exaggeration or tedious element. For example, the manga will not show someone's emotional turmoil with an image of teardrops and a closed-up face, rather it will give you a blank space, sometimes black or white, sometimes crossroads, a page full of stairs— a person layin over water ripples

It steers away from directly stating the character's emotional state by showing the readers an expression that exhibits otherwise until the verge of breakage. It will challenge readers to re-identify their sense of sensitivity for these emotional responses, which again makes it a great piece to be discussing the ever so complicated concept of depression, anxiety, societal and peer pressure, etc. the whole thing will not give you straight to point depiction of these tendencies, rather it'll make you see the point itself. For example, there's this scene when they were just sitting and eating food at the table shown and Kiriyama was explaining how the food tasted— and I cried.

and as you build up your own interpretation of one characters' struggle, you will see as an audience how people in the manga perceive others' struggle vs. how the characters perceive their own struggle, combining it with yours, feeding you with all sorts of perspectives.

I could have given it a 9/10 personal rate, cause of the choice of the premise the mangaka used which is the world of Shogi that I have, deadass, 0 knowledge about— but yo! I got manipulated af cause apparently the author isn't that knowledgeable as well

and was just working with an advisor, which as a writer hobbyist — shows how flexible they are in writing, cause personally, I find it hard to write about something complicated without possibly ruining it at some point, To do cross-referencing with someone to make shit connect and work? and to be consistent about it? dude that's just some laborious struggle I could never— which reminds me that I do hope the mangaka got paid for this masterpiece cause they deserve it and all the more reason why I respect manga making as a profession

I seriously have nothing, but high praise for this manga and am already blinded by my own take of how good it is, but other opinions are welcomed if you have read it as well! (i am afraid I have dropped the anime at ep 5 so please don't go that way—)

Its a good manga but I just find it boring most of the times.

First of all, I don't find shogi interesting at all even though I think the story does well to explain it, so from that its almost half the story kinda skimmed through. I hoped to invest myself in the game but I just couldn't, although the system and the preparation for the matches to happen were enjoyable to learn about. I find most of the characters uninteresting except the mc, his crazy step sis, the three sisters and the baseball player. The moment the story isn't about character development, I find it ... kinda bland. Im not a fan of this kinda poetic narration ,tho I don't really mind it either.

I know its mostly a negative review but I still think its a good manga, just not amazing.