March Comes in Like a Lion Season 3: A Fan’s Aching Wait for Rei’s Return

I’m still haunted by March Comes in Like a Lion. Rei Kiriyama’s quiet pain, those shogi matches that felt like life-or-death, the Kawamoto sisters’ warmth—it’s been years, and I’m not over it. As an otaku who binged both seasons on Crunchyroll with tissues in hand, I’m desperate for Season 3. I mean, how can Studio Shaft leave us hanging after that Season 2 finale? I’ve torn through the internet—official sites, X, even some sketchy blogs—chasing any whisper of news. The silence is brutal, but I’m not giving up. Let’s piece together what’s out there, rant a bit, and hold onto hope for Rei’s next move. This one’s for the fans who feel like they’re stuck in a shogi stalemate.

Where Season 2 Left Us: A Heart Full of Hope

March Comes in Like a Lion—or 3-gatsu no Lion—is a masterpiece. Season 1 hit in 2016, Season 2 in 2017, both by Studio Shaft. Across 44 episodes, we followed Rei, a teenage pro shogi player drowning in loneliness, as he found solace with the Kawamoto sisters: Akari, Hina, and Momo. The show’s not just about shogi; it’s about grief, bullying, family, and clawing your way out of despair. Season 2 ended on a high note—Rei stronger, Hina standing tall after her bullying arc, and the Kawamotos’ home still a beacon of light. It adapted roughly up to Volume 11 of Chica Umino’s manga, leaving plenty more to explore.

That ending, though? It was gentle, like a lamb, but it left me hungry. Rei’s growing, but his journey’s not done. The manga’s deeper arcs—more shogi rivals, Hina’s dreams, Rei’s past—scream for animation. I rewatched the Season 2 finale on Netflix, Hina’s courage hitting like a gut punch, and I’m begging for more. So, what’s the deal with Season 3? Why’s it been seven years?

The Cold Truth: No Season 3 Yet

Here’s the part that hurts: March Comes in Like a Lion Season 3 isn’t confirmed. I checked the official anime site, Studio Shaft’s updates, and NHK’s channels—nothing. Anime News Network and MyAnimeList have no renewal news as of May 2025. The X account @3lionanime hasn’t posted since 2018, and Chica Umino’s manga updates don’t mention anime plans. It’s been radio silence since Season 2 aired, and I’m screaming into the void. The manga’s still going—Volume 18 dropped in 2023, with more expected—but Studio Shaft and NHK are acting like Rei never existed.

The show’s a critical darling, ranked 307th on MyAnimeList with a 9/10 from fans like @limitedlexicon on X. Season 1’s Blu-ray sold 6,228 units, solid for a niche series, but Season 2 dipped to 2,273, below the 4,000-unit mark studios often want for renewals. Still, the manga’s sold over 500,000 copies per volume, rivaling giants like My Hero Academia. So why the hold-up? I’m getting to that, but first, let’s see if there’s any hope.

Rumors and Flickers of Light

The internet’s mostly quiet, but there’s some buzz. On X, fans like @fwdukee gave Season 2 a 9/10, and @MangaVietnamese noted Volume 14’s release in April 2025, showing the manga’s alive. No one’s leaking Season 3 news, though—no “it’s already filmed!” nonsense like some fandoms get. AnimeNextSeason and WhenWill both say there’s no confirmation but point to the manga’s success and fan demand as reasons to hope. GachaGhost goes further, claiming “odds are good” due to Blu-ray sales and manga performance, though they admit Studio Shaft’s busy with Madoka Magica and other projects.

There’s a catch: the manga’s slow. Umino releases chapters sporadically, and producers might want more material to avoid filler. AnimeNextSeason speculates if Season 3 were greenlit in 2025, we’d wait until late 2026 or 2027, given Shaft’s schedule. That’s torture! Still, the series’ acclaim—praised for its mature themes by @SirBadOpinions on X—keeps the dream alive. I’m clinging to that, because giving up feels like abandoning Rei.

Why the Delay? A Fan’s Frustration

I’m mad, okay? March Comes in Like a Lion isn’t some throwaway shonen—it’s a soulful, award-winning story. Why’s Studio Shaft ghosting us? Here’s what’s probably going on:

Studio Shaft’s Slate: They’re juggling Monogatari, Madoka Magica Movie 4, and Ninja to Koroshiya. A slice-of-life like Lion might not be their priority. Rude!
Manga Pacing: Umino’s chapters come out slowly, and with only 18 volumes, Shaft might be waiting for more to avoid an anime-original ending.
Sales: Season 2’s 2,273 Blu-ray units didn’t scream “cash cow.” Studios love that 4,000 mark, and Lion fell short.

I rewatched Season 1 on Crunchyroll—Rei’s shogi losses, Akari’s cooking—and it’s perfection. How can Shaft sleep knowing fans are begging? The manga’s selling like hotcakes, the story’s got legs, and I’m over here yelling at my laptop. NHK, Shaft, Umino—give us a crumb!

What Could Season 3 Be? A Fan’s Dream

No confirmation, so let’s dream. Season 3 would likely pick up around Volume 12, diving into Rei’s shogi career and new rivals. Hina’s post-bullying arc could shine, maybe her dreams taking center stage. The Kawamotos’ struggles—Akari’s sacrifices, Momo’s growth—would hit hard. Expect more of Shaft’s gorgeous visuals: those snowy shogi halls, the sisters’ cozy home. I’m picturing a new OP by YUKI or Bump of Chicken, tearing my heart out.

Release date? Pure guesswork. If Shaft greenlights it in 2025, AnimeNextSeason says late 2026 or 2027, based on their Magia Record timeline. That’s ages away! I’d sell my shogi board for a 2026 drop, but Shaft’s not rushing. With 6–7 manga volumes left, there’s enough for 22 episodes, maybe two cours. I’m praying they don’t skimp on Hina’s story—she deserves the spotlight.

How We Keep the Fight Going

I’m not done, and neither are you. Here’s how we keep March Comes in Like a Lion alive:

Stream Seasons 1 and 2 on Crunchyroll or Netflix (English subs/dubs). Binge it, share it—views matter!
Buy the manga via Yen Press or read on Shonen Jump’s app. Volume 18’s out, and sales push the anime’s case.
Shout on X. Tag @3lionanime, @aniplexUSA, @Crunchyroll. Fan campaigns revived Bleach—we can do this!
Grab Aniplex’s Blu-rays if you’re fancy. They’re pricey but show demand.

Still Holding the Board

I’m gutted, writing this with Rei’s quiet strength in my head. March Comes in Like a Lion gave us 44 episodes of raw, beautiful humanity—Rei’s loneliness, Hina’s courage, the Kawamotos’ love. But Season 3? No news, no date, just silence. The manga’s thriving, fans are vocal, and there’s material for more, but Shaft’s leaving us in the cold. I’m holding out for a miracle—a new season, a spinoff, anything. Rei’s story, like a shogi game, can’t end here.

What’s your take? Still waiting like me, or ready to move on? Hit X, tag @3lionanime, and let’s make noise. Stream Seasons 1–2 on Crunchyroll or Netflix. Keep reading the manga on Shonen Jump. Let’s show Shaft we’re not letting Rei fade. March Comes in Like a Lion Season 3—come on, roar already!