Chica Umino’s Acclaimed its Series, March Comes in Like a Liondebuted in 2007, winning the hearts of many fans across the globe. The series won the Manga Taisho 2011, the 35th Kodansha Manga Award in 2011, and the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize Manga Grand Prize in 2014. The series’ emotional journey will reach its conclusion in Volume 19 of the manga. Volume 18 is being released on September 29th, 2025, continuing the story from Chapter 195. Although a release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, judging by the usual schedule of the Volume releases, we can expect Volume 19 to drop in exactly two years. The manga has released 216 chapters so far, which will later be compiled in its final volume. The information comes from @MangaMoguraRE on X, known for sharing the latest updates about all kinds of series.
Although the series is considered underrated for deviating from the standard Seinen tropes, as it falls more into the slice-of-life category, it has accumulated a decent fanbase over the years thanks to its exceptional storytelling. The sudden announcement took the fandom by surprise, with many expressing concern for the finale and hope for a Season 3 soon. While the news may be sudden, the manga has suffered irregular schedules over the years. Not only that, but the anime has yet to confirm a third season, making many fans worry for the franchise’s future. Even the spinoff, March Comes In Like a Lion – The Untold Showa-Era Tale: Scorching Times, by Hideaki Nishikawa, hasn’t announced any anime adaptation, even though it’s been 5 years since it ended.
What Is the Plot of March Comes in Like a Lion?
The story follows Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old high school student who reached professional status as a shogi player in middle school and is one of the elite in the industry. However, beneath his talent, he is struggling to deal with loneliness and emotional scars from the tragic accident that killed his family. Rei grew up under the guardianship of another shogi household, and before long, he began to isolate himself due to his introverted personality and the pressure of being a professional player.
As Rei deals with self-doubt while moving to Tokyo, he befriends the Kawamoto sisters, Akari, Hinata, and Momo, who live with their grandfather, the owner of a traditional wagashi shop. The sisters are also coping with past tragedies and form a unique familial bond with Rei, who has lacked the warmth of a family for most of his life.
The lively family welcomes him into their household, and thanks to their kindness, Rei gradually begins to open his heart, confront his vulnerabilities, and rebuild his life. March Comes in Like a Lion is a poignant story of resilience, friendship, and the strength to carry on despite hardships as the characters face their challenges with courage and compassion.
The anime, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, adapts the manga up to Chapter 88, so you can dive into the manga from the next chapter.
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