March Comes In Like a Lion
Synopsis
Having reached professional status in middle school, Rei Kiriyama is one of the few elite in the world of shogi. Due to this, he faces an enormous amount of pressure, both from the shogi community and his adoptive family. Seeking independence from his tense home life, he moves into an apartment in Tokyo. As a 17-year-old living on his own, Rei tends to take poor care of himself, and his reclusive personality ostracizes him from his peers in school and at the shogi hall. However, not long after his arrival in Tokyo, Rei meets Akari, Hinata, and Momo Kawamoto, a trio of sisters living with their grandfather who owns a traditional wagashi shop. Akari, the oldest of the three girls, is determined to combat Rei's loneliness and poorly sustained lifestyle with motherly hospitality. The Kawamoto sisters, coping with past tragedies, also share with Rei a unique familial bond that he has lacked for most of his life. As he struggles to maintain himself physically and mentally through his shogi career, Rei must learn how to interact with others and understand his own complex emotions. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is largely positive, praising the show's emotional depth, artistic merit, and relatable themes of personal growth. Some viewers find the slow pace and protagonist's initial passivity frustrating, while others appreciate the nuanced exploration of complex emotions and relationships. Despite some criticisms, the series is generally well-regarded for its unique blend of slice-of-life and character-driven storytelling.
Strengths
- Beautiful and unique art style enhances emotional impact.
- Masterful handling of serious topics and character development.
- Relatable exploration of personal growth, relationships, and overcoming obstacles.
Weaknesses
- Slow pacing can be frustrating for some viewers.
- Protagonist's initial lack of personality can be off-putting.
- Some find the focus on shogi gameplay excessive and detracting from character development.