---
title: "March Comes In Like a Lion"
year: 2016
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/march-comes-in-like-a-lion-2016"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 65336
imdb_id: "tt6074794"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 2
episodes_count: 44
runtime_minutes: 25
community_rating: 8.0
vote_count: 140
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# March Comes In Like a Lion (2016) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/march-comes-in-like-a-lion-2016

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

March Comes in Like a Lion is a television series that aired from 2016 to 2018. The story centers on Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old professional shogi player who lives alone in an old town in Tokyo. Having lost his family in an accident during his youth, Rei struggles with deep loneliness, depression, and the pressures of adult life, including financial difficulties. The narrative is described as a gentle tale about people attempting to regain something, while also functioning as a story of battle. Rei’s life begins to change gradually after he becomes acquainted with three sisters named Akari, Hinata, and Momo. The series features voice performances from actors including Kengo Kawanishi, Khoi Dao, Ai Kayano, and Kana Hanazawa. As a socially awkward individual, Rei navigates the challenges of his professional career alongside his personal growth. The show is available for viewers to stream on various digital platforms.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A lonely teenage shogi professional begins to change after befriending three sisters in Tokyo."

### Why Watch
- poignant character development
- focus on emotional recovery

### Caveats & Content Note
- slow pacing
- heavy themes of past trauma
- Tone & Suitability: The series explores themes of grief and loneliness following a family tragedy.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: gentle, melancholic, character-driven, introspective

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | None |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Crunchyroll | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (22 Episodes)
### Season 2 (22 Episodes)
March Comes In Like a Lion Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of March Comes In Like a Lion Season 1.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 44
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 6 (14%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 38 (86%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Kengo Kawanishi** as *Rei Kiriyama (voice)*
- **Kentaro Tone** as *Scorekeeper (voice)*
- **Kana Hanazawa** as *Hinata Kawamoto / Mike-chan (voice)*
- **Ai Kayano** as *Akari Kawamoto / Kuro-chan (voice)*
- **Misaki Kuno** as *Momo Kawamoto / Shiro-chan (voice)*
- **Nobuhiko Okamoto** as *Harunobu Nikaidou (voice)*
- **Shigeru Chiba** as *Someji Kawamoto (voice)*
- **Shinya Takahashi** as *Authorized Person 1 (voice)*
- **Shin-ichiro Miki** as *Kai Shimada (voice)*
- **Tomokazu Sugita** as *Tatsuyuki 'Smith' Misumi (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who is the main character?
The main character is Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old professional shogi player.

### Q: What is the story about?
It follows Rei's journey as he navigates loneliness and begins to change after meeting three sisters.

### Q: Where does the story take place?
The series is set in an old town in Tokyo.

### Q: Does the protagonist have family?
Rei lost his family in an accident when he was young.

### Q: Who are the sisters?
The sisters are named Akari, Hinata, and Momo.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [March - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March)
- [March Comes in Like a Lion (TV Series 2016-2018) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6074794)
- [March Holidays, Fun Facts & Folklore | The Old Farmer's Almanac](https://www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore)
- [MARCH Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/march)
- [March Comes In Like a Lion (2016-2018) - Where to Watch - Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/march-comes-in-like-a-lion/OLzNTNQ8O6CQj0J5ebIXM7/where-to-watch/)
- [March 2026 Calendar - Printable Templates & More](https://www.wiki-calendar.com/march-calendars.html)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*