March Comes In Like a Lion (2016)
A quietly powerful anime about a teenage shogi prodigy navigating loneliness, loss, and the slow, tender process of learning to live again.
March Comes In Like a Lion - Series Information
- Original Title: ３月のライオン
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 44
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 8, 2016 (United States - TV-PG), October 8, 2016 (Canada - 14+), October 8, 2016 (Australia - PG), October 8, 2016 (Brazil - 12), October 8, 2016 (Mexico - B-15), October 8, 2016 (Spain - 12), October 8, 2016 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: NHK G
- Production Companies: SHAFT, Aniplex, Asmik Ace, dentsu, Hakusensha, NHK Enterprises, TOY'S FACTORY
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Marcowy lew (PL), Sangatsu no Lion (JP), March comes in like a lion (US), 3월의 라이온 (KR), 三月的狮子 (CN), 3-Gatsu No Lion (FR), Март приходит подобно льву (RU)
March Comes In Like a Lion - Plot
This is a gentle tale about people trying to regain something. And it is a tale of battle. Rei Kiriyama had lost his family in an accident when he was young. Now he is a 17-year-old pro shogi player who is burdened with deep loneliness. Rei lives alone in an old town in Tokyo, but after becoming acquainted with three sisters, Akari, Hinata and Momo, he begins to change little by little...
March Comes In Like a Lion - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Rei's world unfold in all its quiet, melancholic beauty.
Where to Watch March Comes In Like a Lion
Looking for where to watch March Comes In Like a Lion?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
March Comes In Like a Lion - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kengo Kawanishi
- Kentaro Tone
- Kana Hanazawa
- Ai Kayano
- Misaki Kuno
- Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Shigeru Chiba
- Shinya Takahashi
- Shin-ichiro Miki
- Tomokazu Sugita
Writers
- Yukito Kizawa
March Comes In Like a Lion - FAQs
Where can you stream March Comes In Like a Lion?
March Comes In Like a Lion is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including via the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Both options offer the series as part of a flat-rate subscription. It is one of the most accessible anime titles for international audiences on these platforms.
Is March Comes In Like a Lion based on a manga?
Yes, March Comes In Like a Lion is based on the manga series of the same name by Chica Umino, serialized in Young Animal magazine since 2007. The anime adaptation by SHAFT faithfully captures the manga's emotional depth, introspective tone, and distinctive visual style.
What is March Comes In Like a Lion about?
The series follows Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old professional shogi player living alone in Tokyo after losing his family in an accident. Isolated and emotionally adrift, he gradually finds warmth and purpose through his friendship with three sisters — Akari, Hinata, and Momo — in a story about grief, growth, and human connection.
How many seasons does March Comes In Like a Lion have?
March Comes In Like a Lion has two main seasons. Season 1 aired in 2016 with 22 episodes, and Season 2 followed in 2017–2018 with another 22 episodes. There are also 12 special episodes. The series concluded in 2018 with a total of 44 main episodes.
Is March Comes In Like a Lion worth watching?
Widely praised by critics and fans alike, March Comes In Like a Lion is considered one of the finest anime dramas of its era. It earns acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of depression, loneliness, and recovery, combined with SHAFT's visually inventive direction and a deeply empathetic narrative that resonates far beyond shogi enthusiasts.
Who are the main voice actors in this series?
The principal voice cast includes Kengo Kawanishi as Rei Kiriyama, Kana Hanazawa as Hinata Kawamoto, Ai Kayano as Akari Kawamoto, Misaki Kuno as Momo Kawamoto, and Nobuhiko Okamoto as Harunobu Nikaidou. The ensemble is rounded out by Shigeru Chiba, Shin-ichiro Miki, and Tomokazu Sugita.
What content rating does March Comes In Like a Lion carry?
March Comes In Like a Lion is rated TV-PG in the United States, making it appropriate for general audiences with parental guidance suggested. While the series deals with themes of depression, grief, and bullying, it handles these subjects with sensitivity and restraint, keeping the tone thoughtful rather than graphic.
Did March Comes In Like a Lion win any awards?
March Comes In Like a Lion received significant recognition in Japan. It won the Animation of the Year award at the 2017 Tokyo Anime Award Festival and earned nominations at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The series is frequently cited in critical rankings of the best anime of the 2010s decade.
More About March Comes In Like a Lion
Explore further details, ratings, and database entries for this series.