Is March Comes in Like a Lion Manga Finished?

If you’ve been watching the anime or just heard about this beloved shogi manga, you’re probably wondering: is the March Comes in Like a Lion manga finished? The short answer is not quite — but the finish line is in sight. Let’s break down exactly where things stand so you can decide when and how to start reading.

March Comes in Like a Lion Manga Is Not Finished Yet — But the Final Volume Has Been Announced

March Comes in Like a Lion (3月のライオン) is still ongoing. The manga has been published in chapters over time — a process called serialization — in Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine since July 2007. That makes it one of the longer-running character dramas in the seinen category (seinen is a label for manga aimed at older teens and adult men). As of the most recent Japanese release, Volume 18 came out on October 3, 2025.

Here’s the big news, though: Volume 19 has been announced as the planned final volume. That means the series is in its concluding stretch right now. After nearly two decades, creator 羽海野チカ (Chica Umino) is bringing Rei Kiriyama’s story to a close.

For anyone unfamiliar, the series revolves around shogi — a Japanese strategy board game similar to chess — which serves as the competitive backbone of the entire narrative. But calling it “just” a shogi manga would undersell it. The game is the vehicle, but the story is really about loneliness, found family, depression, and the slow process of learning to let people in. That combination of competitive tension and emotional depth is what’s made it so well-received by fans over the years.

So if you’ve been waiting for the series to wrap up before committing, you’re almost there. But there’s plenty worth reading right now — and the English edition gives you a great entry point (more on that below).

How the Story Is Wrapping Up (Spoiler-Light)

Without getting into specific plot details, here’s what you should know about where the manga is heading.

The series follows Rei Kiriyama, a teenage shogi player competing at the highest level despite being emotionally isolated. Over the course of the story, Rei builds connections — with the Kawamoto sisters who become like a surrogate family, with rival players who push him to grow, and with himself as he slowly works through grief and trauma.

The Story’s Direction

The manga has been steadily moving toward resolution on two fronts: Rei’s shogi ambitions and his personal relationships. If you’re expecting a single explosive tournament finale as the capstone of the whole series, you might want to adjust your expectations. This has always been a character-driven story first and a competition story second. The ending is shaping up to reflect that — expect emotional payoffs rather than a dramatic final match as the last page.

The Pacing

One thing to be aware of: the release pace has been deliberate in recent years. Japanese volumes have been coming out roughly once per year, which reflects the author’s careful, unhurried approach to wrapping things up. Some readers find this frustrating. Others appreciate that the ending isn’t being rushed. Either way, with Volume 19 announced as the finale, there’s a clear endpoint now.

How Many Volumes of March Comes in Like a Lion Are There?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the volume situation in both languages:

Japanese Edition

• 18 volumes released so far
• Volume 19 is planned as the final volume
• A complete Japanese set will be 19 volumes once the finale ships

English Edition

The English translation is published by Denpa.

• 5 volumes published so far
• The most recent release is Volume 5 (March 2026)
• Volume 6 is announced for December 2026
• That means the English edition currently covers roughly the first quarter of the series

What This Means for Collectors

The English release is significantly behind the Japanese edition. Denpa releases at a slower pace, so it will take several more volumes to catch up. Once the Japanese series is complete at 19 volumes, a full English set would also be 19 volumes. The English edition is ongoing and actively being published, though, so there’s no indication it’s been dropped or stalled.

If you want to start collecting now, Volume 1 is the place to begin — it gives you a solid taste of the story’s tone and art style. It’s available at major book retailers and online bookstores.

The most recently published English volume is Volume 5 (March 2026), continuing Rei’s journey deeper into the competitive shogi world and his evolving relationships. The next English release is Volume 6, due in December 2026.

This Denpa edition features high-quality printing that does justice to Umino’s distinctive art. The illustrations swing between delicate, atmospheric watercolor-style pages during emotional moments and bold, energetic layouts during shogi matches.

The translation reads naturally in English, which matters a lot for a series with this much dialogue and character interaction. Shogi terminology is handled accessibly — you don’t need to know anything about the game going in. The story does a great job of conveying the emotional weight of each match without requiring you to follow the actual board positions.

For anyone coming from the anime, Volume 1 covers the very beginning of the story, so you’ll be retreading familiar ground at first. That’s actually a plus — the manga has room for quieter character moments and characters’ inner thoughts that the anime condensed, so even scenes you’ve already watched feel fresh on the page.

Where to Start Reading March Comes in Like a Lion

For English Readers

Start with Volume 1 of the Denpa edition. The story is completely linear — there are no side stories, prequels, or alternate versions you need to worry about. Just pick up Volume 1 and go. Even if you’ve already watched the anime, Volume 1 is the right starting point — you won’t be lost, and the manga adds depth to scenes the anime covered more quickly.

The five currently available English volumes will take you through the first major stretches of the story, covering Rei’s early career and his growing bond with the Kawamoto family. It’s a satisfying amount of reading even though the English edition hasn’t caught up to the Japanese version yet.

For Readers Who Want to Go Further

If you tear through the available English volumes and want to keep going, the Japanese volumes are available digitally through various platforms. You’ll need at least some Japanese reading ability (or a willingness to use translation tools) to go this route. For most readers, though, waiting for the next English volume is the most practical path — and with Denpa actively releasing new volumes, the wait between books is manageable.

The Anime as an Entry Point

The series also has an anime adaptation that covers a portion of the early story. It’s a well-regarded adaptation and a perfectly fine way to experience the beginning of Rei’s journey. If you watch the anime first and enjoy it, the manga extends well beyond where the anime left off, so there’s plenty of new story waiting for you in print.

That said, the manga’s art is genuinely special — Umino’s page layouts are expressive in ways that even a good anime adaptation can’t fully replicate. If you’re deciding between the two, the manga is the original and most complete version of the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the March Comes in Like a Lion manga finished?

Not yet, but it’s very close. Volume 18 is the most recent Japanese release, and Volume 19 has been announced as the planned final volume. The story is in its concluding stretch. The English edition is also still ongoing, with five volumes published so far and a sixth due in December 2026.

Is there a sequel or spin-off planned?

There is one completed spin-off — Sangatsu no Lion Shouwa Ibun: Shakunetsu no Toki, a story set in the Showa era — but it has not been licensed in English. No new sequel or spin-off to the main series has been announced. With Volume 19 planned as the final volume, the story is heading toward its natural conclusion.

How often do new volumes come out?

Recent Japanese volumes have been releasing roughly once per year. The English volumes from Denpa also come out at a measured pace. If you’re starting now, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up before the finale.

Will Denpa finish the English translation?

The English edition is actively ongoing. Volume 5 is the most recently published English volume, with Volume 6 due in December 2026, and there’s no sign of the release schedule stopping. It will take several more volumes to cover the remaining Japanese material, but Denpa appears committed to seeing it through.

Is the anime caught up with the manga?

No. The anime covers a portion of the story, and the manga goes well beyond where the anime left off. (Anime series are typically based on their manga source material, and this one only covered part of the story.) If you’ve only watched the anime, there is a significant amount of story left to experience in the manga — and since the series is approaching its conclusion, the most dramatic and emotionally resonant material is in the chapters the anime hasn’t covered yet.

Do I need to understand shogi to enjoy this manga?

Not at all. The series uses shogi as a framework for character development and emotional stakes, but it never expects you to follow the technical details of each match. You’ll pick up the basics naturally as you read, and the drama comes from what the games mean to the characters rather than from the board positions themselves. The point bears repeating: shogi knowledge is completely optional.

Is this a good manga for beginners?

Yes — with one caveat. The pacing is slower and more contemplative than something with lots of fight scenes or fast-paced action. If you’re looking for nonstop battles, this isn’t that. But if you enjoy character-driven stories with real emotional weight, March Comes in Like a Lion is a wonderful place to start. The Denpa editions also make it easy to collect, and with the series concluding at 19 volumes, the commitment is manageable.