3-gatsu no Lion

Rei Kiriyama and the riverside town encounter the Kawamoto sisters

Rei Kiriyama is a high school student and professional shogi player residing alone in Rokugatsu-cho, an older district of Tokyo. Following a match with Kouda, his foster father who is also a pro shogi player, Rei travels to the Kawamoto residence in Sangatsu-cho. There, he is greeted warmly by the Kawamoto sisters: Akari, the eldest; Hinata, the middle child; and Momo, the youngest. They provide him with a hearty dinner and a lively atmosphere. Despite this welcoming reception, underlying issues suggest that Rei’s situation is not entirely positive or straightforward.

Harunobu Nikaido awaits Rei while Akari greets them at the hostess bar

Professional shougi player Harunobu Nikaido waits for Rei upon his return, viewing him as a childhood rival and anticipating their next match. Several days later, following a game against older player Issa Matsumoto, Rei, Issa, and fellow shougi player Tatsuyuki Misumi visit a hostess bar. There, they are warmly received by Akari, the eldest Kawamoto sister, who is employed at the establishment. The narrative highlights the ongoing rivalry between Nikaido and Rei, while introducing Akari’s role in the characters' social interactions outside of their professional shougi activities.

Chapter 5 Harunobu and Chapter 6 Beyond the Night Sky feature Rei’s professional debut match against Nikaido.

On the day of Rei’s first professional game against Nikaido, he travels to Shougi Hall while recalling a childhood match between them. Nikaido approaches the encounter with intense fighting spirit as the two rivals clash once again. Similar to their younger years, both opponents share the same overriding thought: “I don’t want to lose…” This emotional parallel highlights the enduring rivalry and determination that define their relationship, setting the stage for a significant contest in Rei’s new career phase.

Hina prepares a bento for Yuusuke Takahashi while arguing with Akari about the ideal lunch style.

Hina spends her time preparing a special lunch for Yuusuke Takahashi, the ace player she admires, in anticipation of the upcoming middle school baseball game. She aims to create an elaborate and adorable meal, but this plan leads to a disagreement with Akari, who suggests that a standard bento box would be more appropriate. The following morning, Hina rushes to complete her lunch preparation and struggles to choose her outfit for the significant event. The narrative focuses on her anxiety and excitement as she navigates these final preparations before the match begins.

Chapter 9 Agreement and Chapter 10 Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Rei helps Akari by collecting Momo from day-care, but she sustains minor scratches after falling. While treating her wounds, Rei remembers the tragic accident that killed his parents and younger sister when he was young. At the funeral, he stands alone until Masachika Kouda, his father’s friend and a professional shogi player, approaches him. Kouda asks Rei if he enjoys playing shogi, marking the beginning of their connection. This memory highlights the profound loss Rei experienced as a child and introduces the figure who would later influence his life. The narrative contrasts the present moment of caring for Momo with the deep-seated trauma of his past.

Rei struggles with stagnation after failing to advance as a middle school shogi player

Rei aspired to independence and financial self-sufficiency by becoming a professional shogi player during middle school. Despite his efforts, he failed to advance to the next level in his second year. Having reached his current standing through significant struggle, he now lacks the motivation to progress further. He finds himself at a loss regarding his persistent habit of stopping halfway, unable to identify a clear reason to continue moving forward in his career.

Hinata panics meeting her crush Takahashi while Rei discusses shogi and baseball ambitions.

After visiting a fast food shop, Hinata and Rei encounter Hinata’s crush, Takahashi. Hinata becomes nervous and panics, while Rei struggles to find conversation topics with the athlete. Takahashi recognizes Rei as a professional shogi player and shares his goal of becoming a professional baseball player. He then questions Rei about his decision to return to high school one year after achieving professional status. The scene focuses on Rei’s response to Takahashi’s serious demeanor regarding this life choice.

Chapters 15 to 17 cover shogi lessons, a cat-themed book, and Nikaidou's TV commentary

Rei and Nikaidou instruct Hinata and Momo in the game of shogi. Momo and her sister enjoy a homemade picture book featuring cats, which helps them learn the basics with enjoyment. Meanwhile, Nikaidou interrupts Rei’s private time and delivers passionate shogi commentary on television. Through these actions, he openly expresses his friendship for Rei and his strong enthusiasm for the game. The narrative explores whether this intense passion will influence Rei’s own attitude toward shogi.

Rei faces veteran Shouichi Matsunaga in the second and third parts of the Distant Thunder arc.

Rei prepares to compete against Shouichi Matsunaga, a sixty-five-year-old professional shougi player with forty years of experience. Rei recognizes that his opponent has been playing for more than twice the duration of his own life. During the match, Matsunaga appears to make random moves, complicating Rei’s strategy. After the game concludes, Rei is unexpectedly invited to share a dinner with Matsunaga.

Rei prepares for his match against Manabu Yasui while reflecting on a past Christmas with the Kouda family.

In December, Kyouko visits Rei to retrieve a forgotten item and informs him about his upcoming opponent, Manabu Yasui, scheduled for the 24th. She reveals that Yasui becomes violently drunk upon losing and is divorcing his wife after Christmas. The narrative questions whether Yasui will reunite with his family regardless of the match outcome. Meanwhile, Rei focuses on his preparation for the fight against Yasui. During this process, he recalls a specific Christmas day from his childhood spent with the Kouda family, contrasting his current professional challenges with memories of his past.

Akari, Hinata, and Momo visit bedridden Rei on New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve, Akari, Hinata, and Momo visit Rei, who has been bedridden with a cold since Christmas. The Kawamoto sisters insist on taking him to the doctor and then back to their home. Through the care of porridge and tender attention, Rei recovers significantly. However, he feels guilty for causing his foster father, Kouda, and the sisters to worry about his health. Despite these feelings, Rei embraces the New Year with the warmth and support of the Kawamoto family, finding comfort in their presence as he heals.

Rei recovers at home and faces Takeshi Tsujii in the Lion King Tournament

After spending three days recovering at the Kawamoto residence, Rei returns to his own apartment. The transition from the lively New Year atmosphere at the Kawamoto home to his solitary living space triggers a sense of loneliness. To distract himself from these feelings, Rei decides to concentrate on the upcoming Lion King Tournament. He must prepare for his first match against Takeshi Tsujii, an opponent known for his aggressive offensive strategy and habit of making bad puns. This chapter details Rei's initial struggle to overcome his emotional state while facing a challenging first-round adversary in the competitive tournament setting.

Smith prepares for Gotou while Rei faces pressure against Kai Shimada in the Lion King Tournament.

Smith devises a strategy to counter Gotou’s preferred Static Rook and Bear in the Hole openings by utilizing Windmill tactics for their upcoming Lion King Tournament match. He enters the game relying on his strongest methods, though the outcome remains uncertain. Simultaneously, Rei competes in the same tournament against Kai Shimada, who holds the rank of 8 dan. Rei experiences intense pressure to secure a victory, which influences his approach as he steps onto the board. The narrative highlights the distinct challenges faced by both competitors as they navigate their respective high-stakes games within the prestigious tournament setting.

Rei struggles against Shimada's superior skill while receiving subtle guidance from his opponent.

Rei recognizes too late that he underestimated Shimada’s abilities, leaving him trapped in a losing match with no clear path to recovery. Overwhelmed by embarrassment and confusion, a shaken Rei manages to complete the game only because Shimada provides subtle messages. Once the match concludes, Rei flees the shogi hall in shame. Shimada observes his departure and, remembering the words of his young disciple Nikaidou, considers inviting Rei to join his shogi workshop.

Chapter 30 Moonlight and Chapter 31 Lump of Ego depict the first Gotou versus Shimada match.

The first of three matches between Gotou and Shimada begins to determine the challenger for the Lion King title. Rei observes the contest with deep admiration for the self-assurance displayed by both competitors. Following the conclusion of the game, Gotou treats Kyouko coldly outside the shougi hall while she waits. Witnessing this interaction prompts Rei to remember the circumstances that led to his departure from the Kouda home. Elsewhere at Crescent, Akari and Hinata express concern regarding Rei's well-being and current situation.

Hayashida helps Rei with a lab report before he watches a crucial Lion King Tournament match.

Hayashida brings Rei to the After School Burners Club to complete a chemistry lab report that he missed due to a previous absence. Hayashida observes with satisfaction as Rei engages in a lively conversation with Noguchi and other peers. Following the experiment, Rei attends the final match between Gotou and Shimada, where the victor will advance to challenge the champion of the Lion King Tournament. After the event, Rei speaks to Shimada in a manner that may significantly alter his future. This summary covers the events of Chapter 32 and Chapter 33, focusing on the academic task and the tournament stakes without revealing specific outcomes beyond the setup.

Chapters 34 to 36 cover the Lion King Tournament festivities and a meeting with Touji Souya

During the Lion King Tournament, Rei and Nikaidou attend pre-match celebrations before the contest between Shimada and Master Souya. Rei observes Nikaidou’s strong resolve to eventually compete in a title fight, which deeply affects him. While in the garden outside the hall, Rei notices an unobtrusive figure standing beside him. This person is revealed to be Touji Souya, a historic shogi master who became the youngest ever to achieve the title and won all seven major championships. The encounter highlights the presence of a legendary player within the tournament setting, contrasting with the younger competitors' ambitions.

Shimada prepares for the third Lion King Tournament match while Rei faces a disturbing board setup.

Shimada readies himself for the third match of the Lion King Tournament. At a workshop held at Shimada’s house, Nikaidou and Shigeta clash over differing strategies for the board setup. Rei informs the small gathering that the board is disturbing to him. Shimada instructs Rei to return alone the following day. In the subsequent match, Rei is overpowered by an A-class player but desperately attempts to contribute what he can.

Shimada's Past and Journey to the Lion King Tournament in Kyoto

Raised in a Yamagata village, Shimada learned shougi from locals and began commuting twice monthly to the Tokyo Association during middle school, working part-time to cover costs. He persisted in playing despite stress-induced stomach pain and the visible gap between his progress and Souya’s rapid title wins. Now, Rei accompanies Shimada to Kyoto for the fourth match of the Lion King Tournament, marking a pivotal moment in his ongoing struggle against the talented Souya.

Shimada faces elimination in the Lion King Tournament's fourth match against Souya.

On the second day of the fourth match at the Lion King Tournament, Shimada risks his final chance to compete in his hometown against Souya. A defeat would result in four consecutive losses. Rei is unexpectedly promoted to board commentator, joining "Shougi Dragon" Raidou Fujimoto to analyze the intense game. As the match progresses, Shimada suffers from severe gastric pain but continues to launch aggressive attacks. The commentators observe closely as Shimada struggles physically while trying to overcome his opponent, a grandmaster. The episode focuses on the high stakes of this encounter and whether Shimada's determination can overcome his physical limitations and the skill of his rival.

Chapter 43: When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom and Chapter 44: Small Murmur

Second-year Rei struggles with belonging until Hayashida proposes a combined club.

Now a second-year high school student, Rei faces discomfort in his new class because Hayashida is no longer his homeroom teacher. Lacking new friends and feeling isolated without the one educator who cared for him, he questions why he returned to school and whether attending helps him stop running away. To address this, Hayashida suggests merging Noguchi’s After School Burners Club with the shougi club to form a new combined group. Although Rei has never previously found a sense of place within the high school environment, this newly formed club offers him a potential opportunity to finally establish a feeling of belonging.