March Is available in Like a Lion Quantity 1 by Chica Umino
March Is available in Like a Lion was one of many releases I used to be most anticipating this 12 months, and it was so definitely worth the wait. The opening panels present Rei Kiriyama waking up, preparing, going to a shogi corridor, enjoying a recreation in opposition to a person he is aware of. All through this introduction Rei says nothing, and the panels of the shogi recreation are intercut with scenes from Rei’s childhood. When Rei wins the sport and his opponent will get up and mentions that he and his members of the family are nervous for him, Rei waits till he’s alone to say “Liar.” Rei then heads house, simply as remoted, however he’s interrupted by a flurry of texts and goes over to the Kawamoto sisters’ home, the place he’s instantly enveloped in a heat household gathering.
Umino balances portraying isolation, trauma, and despair with nice skillfulness and moments of humor. She packs in so many slice of life character growth vignettes into just some panels. I appreciated the shonen battle stylings of Nikaido, who proclaims himself Rei’s rival and soon-to-become finest good friend. Rei goes to the hostess bar the place Akari Kawamoto works with another shogi gamers, and he or she cheerfully manipulates his companions into promising to take care of Rei. Rei’s background is proven by way of a collection of non-linear flashbacks, and whereas by the tip of the primary quantity the reader has a way of what has brought about Rei to be so remoted, it’s sure that there might be a lot extra revelations forward. One factor I actually loved is that the connection between Rei and the Kawamoto sisters isn’t one sided – Rei additionally helps the sisters in his personal quiet manner.
Denpa’s manufacturing high quality is great, with extras like french flaps and a coloration fold-out poster included at first of the quantity, which makes the manga really feel like a bit extra of a particular collector’s version. I additionally appreciated the essays about shogi that accompanied the story. I’m all in for this manga and seeing how Rei’s journey unfolds.
