March comes in like a lion is about 17 year old Rei Kiriyama who became a professional shogi player when he was still in middle school - one of only five kids who managed to accomplish such a feat. That's why among the recommendations and similar anime you will find Hikaru no go, because they're both anime about board games. As a matter of fact, the comparison to Hikaru no go isn't very appropriate because in San gatsu no lion the board game - shogi, in this case - isn't the main focus point. I'd say March comes in like a lion resembles much more Honey and Clover - it's the same mangaka, the two anime feel very much alike, they've got the same atmosphere, they share the way certain themes are presented and dealt with; but while Honey and clover is mainly a romance anime, with some really good character development, March comes in like a lion is more a coming of age story - with some really good character development.
Rei is a boy who's been deeply hurt and goes on hurting. He tries his best to rely only on himself and support himself thanks to shogi - but he has his own feelings to deal with and a deep and relentless yearning to blend in, be accepted and establish bonds with other people, which conflicts with his terrible timidity and the inability to speak his mind or ask for help. He is basically unaware of his own worth, unhappy about himself and his life, without a place to belong. But all the while trying so hard to go on, day after day. He's a fragile character, he would have the right to be angry at life, but instead he always blames himself, extremely conscious of his own shortcomings. Rei starts changing when he meets three sisters who live in the neighbouring block and welcome him open-heartedly into their home. Their warmth is complemented by the kindness of Rei's homeroom teacher, who pushes him into opening up to some of his fellow shogi players - and so slowly Rei starts building ties to other people as well as confidence in himself and so overcoming the dark well of depression he had got himself into. The other characters are also well built and fleshed out, but not to the same extent as Rei. I think maybe a little too much time was devoted to Shimada-san, another shogi player who Rei first meets as a rival but then becomes his mentor. I acknowledge he is an important figure in Rei's development, but I would have preferred instead to see more of Kyouko, Rei's sister, and to understand better the relationship between the two. And of course you really can't have enough of the three sisters, Akari, Hinata and Momo.
The story has a slow start so it takes at least 5 or 6 episodes before it draws you in, but after that it really doesn't let go.
Animation and sound are extremely well done. The art is stylish and beautiful to look at. Op and ed songs are all great (the ones I recognized were Bump of chicken and YUKI, who also sang the Op in Honey and clover), but I also appreciated the background music as well as the voice actors. I really think that March comes in like a lion doesn't have many flaws for what concerns the production values, with great care taken for even the finest details.
In conclusion, this is a gentle and heart-warming tale I highly recommend. I hear a second season is in the making - which is good news, some things at the moment are left hanging, like Rei's relationship with his adoptive sister as I mentioned before, but also his rival at shogi, a mysterious guy called Souya. I look forward to watching the second season and I hope other anime viewers are willing to give this anime a chance, I'd say it's well worth it. I know this review doesn't really do this anime justice, but if after reading this you think you might like it then please do give it a go and remember to watch at least the first 5 episodes before deciding whether to drop it or watch it to the end.