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.
