Sangatsu no Lion (March Lion) manga by Umino Chika

[Kaoru Chujo]

Sangatsu no Lion 三月のライオン
("March Comes in Like a Lion")
by Umino Chika 羽海野チカ (Honey & Clover)

Young Animal　ヤングアニマル magazine
first chapter 13 July 2007

The title is literally "March Lion," but the official translation is "March Comes in Like a Lion." The story is about a 17-year-old pro chess player (not go, but shogi, the East Asian version of Western-style chess). He is called Rei, or "Zero." He lives alone, has no family or friends, and does not go to school. But he has some kind of relationship with a family consisting of a young woman (Akari), two young girls (Hinata and Momo) and several cats.



Young Animal is a seinen magazine and has featured such manga as Ai yori Aoshi, Air Master, Futari Ecchi, Kimi Kiss, and Chokotto Sister. The manga does not give furigana.

The first chapter worked a bit of Umino magic on me, so that I cared about the characters by the end. The drawing is real Umino style, and the people kept reminding me of people in H&C. And there are echoes of some of her themes, with Rei reminding me of the young genius Morita, and Hinata, who seems around ten or twelve and looks a bit like Hagu, having special feelings for him of some kind. And just because of the drawing, I couldn't help thinking of Ayu when I saw "Akari-neesan."

Umino Chika:
ANN
Manganews.net
Wikipedia (English)
Wikipedia (Japanese)

EDIT: I have changed the title of the post (and hopefully the thread) to "March Lion" from "Sangatsu no Lion." I think it works better in English, and I see this title used for raws.

[physics223]

I wish someone translated or scanlated this one ... D:

I've been a fan of Umino Chika since H&C ...

Woah, does that chick look like Ayu. With boobs. o.o

[desi09]

Hmm... looks good I can't wait for the scanlations!!

[tritoch]

*dies*

gah. Umino sure has a very distinct drawing style.

[jonli]

I'm sorry if this is already posted, I searched for it but I can't seem to find another thread about this manga.

I was wondering if any of you have read this manga before? It's written and drawn by Umino Chica (author of Honey and Clover). So far I've read up to the 11th chapter and it's pretty interesting. It's like a mix of Honey and Clover and Hikaru no Go (without Sai).

Discuss...?

[ZODDGUTS]

I wonder if Rei will get romanticlly involve with either the older sister or the younger sister? It's a bit hard to pinpoint if Rei would be willing to be with her that way looks like right now she's just close friend though he's said to himself that she is indeed attractive. The younger sister seems a bit young maybe 13 years old? so not sure if that can happen not a big age difference they would be 4 years apart since he's 17.

[2H-Dragon]

Originally Posted by ZODDGUTS

I wonder if Rei will get romanticlly involve with either the older sister or the younger sister? It's a bit hard to pinpoint if Rei would be willing to be with her that way looks like right now she's just close friend though he's said to himself that she is indeed attractive. The younger sister seems a bit young maybe 13 years old? so not sure if that can happen not a big age difference they would be 4 years apart since he's 17.

All I can say is Hagu was 18 at the start of the series not to mention how old she was at the end...

edit: Just read to chapter 6. The feel is awesome. I want more, but in this hard world I can do nothing more. :<

[jonli]

How often is March Lion released? It doenst feel as frequent as honey and clover...

[mit7059]

Does anyone have any new news on the status of this series? I just read the first six chapters from Mikazuki Scanlations and I'm hooked, there hasn't been a release is more than a year, does anyone know if Mikazuki or anyone else is planning on continuing this series? I really hope so, its already reminding me of H&C.

[Lilith]

Umino Chika proves yet again that she's a great artist. I've read until ch9 and all I can say is that this manga is amazing.

Yes, Shogi is an element, but not as big as go in Hikaru no Go. Also, Kiriyama's talent is an element, but is not dealed with the same way in Honey & Clover's Hagu and Morita. I think March Lion is a distinctive manga even though it reminds you of other titles.

As a person who lost her mother recently, I relate so much with it. I actually ended up crying after Ch6 and Ch9.

And, as a shoujo follower, I keep checking vibes on who's Kiriyama's love interest. Overall, I like it a lot and can't wait for more. Or an anime adaption! I keep hearing Kamiya Hiroshi (Honey & Clover's Takemoto seiyuu) whenever I read Kiriyama's monolouges.

[2H-Dragon]

Originally Posted by Lilith

And, as a shoujo follower, I keep checking vibes on who's Kiriyama's love interest. Overall, I like it a lot and can't wait for more. Or an anime adaption! I keep hearing Kamiya Hiroshi (Honey & Clover's Takemoto seiyuu) whenever I read Kiriyama's monolouges.

As someone who really likes romance, I'm searching for love a interests 2. To be honest I don't think it's one of the 3 girls. They have a good family thing going on.

I keep thinking what the deal is with that woman that was on top of Rei and said "I love you." I'm thinking she's his sister Kyoko(you know he got adopted in a family). Wondering why Rei is getting hate from his siblings next from his talent.

[mit7059]

I'm so glad someone is finally scanlating this! Just read chapters 7-9 and was amazed. I can't wait for more, if it keeps going like this 3gatsu might challenge H&C as my favorite manga/anime, Umino Chika is quickly becoming my favorite mangaka

[Lilith]

Originally Posted by 2H-Dragon

I keep thinking what the deal is with that woman that was on top of Rei and said "I love you." I'm thinking she's his sister Kyoko(you know he got adopted in a family). Wondering why Rei is getting hate from his siblings next from his talent.

He's adopted?! I love incest, but he seemed scorned by the memory.

Yes, eventually the series might end with no one in a relationship with another like H&C, but I have hope. Akari is too old for him, so she's out. So it's a tie between the younger sisters Hina and Momo.

Anyway, guess it's still too early. I'd like to mention that I love the first pages of each chapter in which it follow the group's date, it's cute. Reminds me of NANA's manga covers. <3

[2H-Dragon]

Originally Posted by Lilith

He's adopted?! I love incest, but he seemed scorned by the memory.

Spoiler for Chapter 10:

Well it seems like he wasn't officially adopted, but it's pretty much the same situation.

Have to say Rei's emoness is starting to me. I'm an avid believer in competitive sport it is survival of the fittest. He shouldn't get "tormented" just because the others suck. D:

Have to say still a Rei x Kyoko pairing seems the most interesting to me. Though it does seem impossible.

[Irenicus]

^

Spoiler for ch 10:

Well, he wasn't tormented "just because" he won in Shogi. In that family it meant he won the father's approval over his adopted siblings, and that hurt him because it hurt them. He had always been a lonely child who just wanted to be loved and accepted, so to cause such pains to others himself must have felt terrible.

It's a lot more than just shogi. I mean, he doesn't even like shogi!

I personally feel like the sad and gentle undertones work very well. It would be strange if such a delicate and sensitive soul as the main character would not act and feel as he does. He's no shonen baseball manga protagonist after all.

Though of course, I do hope that we're being thrown in the middle of the story here to witness his healing and growth, all thanks to Akari nee-sama and her lovely sisters!

Originally Posted by Lilith

He's adopted?! I love incest, but he seemed scorned by the memory.

Yes, eventually the series might end with no one in a relationship with another like H&C, but I have hope. Akari is too old for him, so she's out. So it's a tie between the younger sisters Hina and Momo.

I wouldn't say "scorned" as much as "tormented," which might not be such a bad thing if you want angsty, steamy love affairs.

Also, Momo!? No way, that's far out of the realm of possibility. I wouldn't completely cut out Akari (isn't Kyoko also older?) but it does have that family vibe going between them, like a warm big sister taking care of a younger brother who admires her. Hina on the other hand is at just that age where things are starting to get interesting, and her first love thing is already finished in one epic chapter. To Akari he's a delicate "stray" young man who probably evoked her caring instincts; to Momo he's a "big brother." Who is he to Hina? There's no answer yet of course, but you know...

And yes, if Kyoko would get back into the story's present time, that would be awesome. I wouldn't bet on it for a while yet, though.

[/also searching for hints of romance]

[2H-Dragon]

Originally Posted by Irenicus

^

Spoiler for ch 10:

Well, he wasn't tormented "just because" he won in Shogi. In that family it meant he won the father's approval over his adopted siblings, and that hurt him because it hurt them. He had always been a lonely child who just wanted to be loved and accepted, so to cause such pains to others himself must have felt terrible.

It's a lot more than just shogi. I mean, he doesn't even like shogi!

I personally feel like the sad and gentle undertones work very well. It would be strange if such a delicate and sensitive soul as the main character would not act and feel as he does. He's no shonen baseball manga protagonist after all.

Spoiler for chapter 10:

I know it was never was just Shogi. I just think he shouldn't be that affected by how his siblings feel. Calling the days he's going trough "agonizing torment". Just seems overkill.

Don't get me wrong still loving every minute of this series and I do think his emoness does add to that.

[ZODDGUTS]

Well there seem more going on with he's adopted sister.

Spoiler for future ch spoiler:

Looks like she hates him and torments him by using he's feelings for her, seems like she knows that he likes her. She at times sleeps at he's place. Also there was a flashback chapter where it look like she slept with him. Then there's her boyfriend? or is it her brother can't tell either way he's a piss off jerk who bullies him and he's a Shogi player as well.

So Rei has more issues with he's siblings than you think.

[2H-Dragon]

Originally Posted by ZODDGUTS

Well there seem more going on with he's adopted sister.

Spoiler for future ch spoiler:

Looks like she hates him and torments him by using he's feelings for her, seems like she knows that he likes her. She at times sleeps at he's place. Also there was a flashback chapter where it look like she slept with him. Then there's her boyfriend? or is it her brother can't tell either way he's a piss off jerk who bullies him and he's a Shogi player as well.

So Rei has more issues with he's siblings than you think.

Spoiler for future chaps:

Well with affected I was more referring to the guilt he is feeling towards his siblings. If what you say is true, that's all the more reason for Rei to man up.

[mit7059]

Didn't read the last two spoilers, so this has nothing to do with that. I really don't think Akari is out at all, do we even know her age? I was thinking she was like 20 or 21. His adopted sister is what, 4 years older? That would put her at 21 so I don't think thats an issue. At the same time though I don't think romance is the focus here and I don't really think any will develop. Umino Chika tackled unrequited love in H&C and I think this will be her stab at the importance of family.

[mit7059]

Does anyone know the status of the next volume? I really hope BWY and SCX haven't dropped it...