March Comes in Like a Lion

March Comes In Like a Lion is a beautiful story following the life of pro-shogi player, loner high school student Rei. But as much as the story is about Rei and his shortcomings, victories, history and progression it is about so much more as well: the wills and desires of other shogi players, the bubbling life if a family of sisters, the aftermath of a shattered family. If there were one word to describe the story it would be "alive".

In general, March Comes In Like a Lion is a character drama/slice of life story that takes it's time in developing five big area's of Rei's life: his shogi career, his relationship with the Kawamoto sisters, his relationship with his family, his school life, and his own personal struggles. Through each of these we are able to see Rei's history and growth as a character, showing multiple facets and sides of his personality. Not only that, but for every character introduced we are given glimpses of their motivations or past that helps us see them as fully fleshed out characters as well. I think that that is probably the best part of reading March Comes In Like a Lion. No character is introduced to only be a one dimensional side character. Each new shogi rival is not just someone to be conquered and defeated, but rather their own character with their own motivations and wills that they want to push forward. The Kawamoto family, though they seem like a happy-go-lucky family from the outset are dealing with their own terrifying problems that we only get to know in bits and pieces as the story progresses. We may find Rei's family to be rash and unreasonable until they show us why they've been acting this way the entire time. No one is there for no reason, and everyone has their own strong, personal and realistic reasons for doing the things they do.

Thematically, March Comes In Like a Lion has a whole lot to say, with the biggest themes being family, personal desires and relationships. The first theme is explored through a comparison between Rei's adopted family and the Kawamoto family. Through those families we can see what it means to be welcomed and loved, even if you aren't really a member of the household and being accepted for who you are and not what you do by looking at the two extremes. Every shogi match displays the weight of wills clashing against each other, with both players holding their expectations and dreams on the line, with only the one who wants it most winning in the end. And through everything we see Rei slowly develop his relationships with those around him, in his professional, social, familial and romantic lives. Every theme is explored through the inner thoughts of the players and the beautifully drawn metaphors in each panel.

Honestly there is so much more I could say about this manga, but the best way to understand is to take a read. It's not a high stakes story about saving the world or finding true life, but rather a simple story about a talented, but ordinary boy learning what it means to live life, to take hold of the good around him and to enjoy what he's been given. All of it just feels so natural and so human, so relatable yet still interesting to read. Everything it does and all that it culminates to surely makes March Comes In Like a Lion one of the best character driven stories out there.