March Comes in Like a Lion is a masterclass in quiet intensity. Through Rei Kiriyama’s journey as a professional shogi player struggling with depression, loneliness, and purpose, the series crafts a deeply emotional narrative filled with tender character development, subtle world-building, and visually symbolic animation. It’s about resilience, human connection, and finding one’s place amidst chaos.
While widely praised, it sets a high bar that few anime meet—especially in the way it balances internal conflict with stunning aesthetics. The following 15 underrated anime offer comparable themes: deep character introspection, unconventional storytelling, and a soft yet powerful emotional core. Some are older gems, others more recent treasures—but all share narrative DNA with March Comes in Like a Lion and deserve a spot on your watchlist.
1. Barakamon (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot: A calligrapher retreats to a remote island after a professional setback, where he discovers personal growth through quirky locals and a wild child.
Similarities: Like Rei, Seishuu’s journey is inward. Both protagonists find unexpected healing through community and nature.
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.38
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Notable Staff: Directed by Masaki Tachibana (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0)
- Awards: Nominated for Sugoi Japan Award 2015
2. A Silent Voice (2016)
Streaming: Netflix, Prime Video
Plot: A former bully seeks redemption by reconnecting with the deaf girl he once tormented.
Similarities: Like March, it examines trauma, isolation, and fragile human connection through expressive visual storytelling.
- Episodes: 1 (film)
- MAL Rating: 8.94
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Directed by Naoko Yamada (K-On!, Heike Monogatari)
- Awards: Japan Academy Prize for Excellent Animation
3. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A former convict aspires to master rakugo, a dying Japanese storytelling art, under a mysterious mentor.
Similarities: Complex character arcs, themes of legacy and solitude, and dialogue-heavy drama echo March’s introspective tone.
- Episodes: 25 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 8.73
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hatakeyama (Sankarea)
- Awards: Grand Prize at Japan Media Arts Festival
4. The Eccentric Family (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Plot: A tanuki family navigates life in a Kyoto where humans, tengu, and tanuki coexist.
Similarities: Whimsical yet melancholic, it explores familial bonds and personal loss with poetic dialogue.
- Episodes: 25 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 7.87
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Based on a novel by Tomihiko Morimi (The Tatami Galaxy)
5. 3-gatsu no Lion: The Other Side of the Bridge (2024)
Streaming: Not yet licensed
Plot: A short film exploring Rei’s psychological evolution, set between Season 2 and 3.
Similarities: A direct thematic and stylistic continuation.
- Episodes: 1 (film)
- MAL Rating: Not yet rated
- Studio: Shaft
- Notable Staff: Akiyuki Shinbo returns as director
6. Poco’s Udon World (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A man returns to his hometown after his father’s death and discovers a mysterious child who changes his life.
Similarities: Themes of grief, rediscovery, and healing through domestic warmth mirror Rei’s path.
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.76
- Studio: LIDENFILMS
- Notable Staff: Directed by Seiki Takuno (Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches)
7. Usagi Drop (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Plot: A man takes in his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter and learns to navigate parenthood.
Similarities: Gentle slice-of-life tone with emotional introspection and themes of unexpected responsibility.
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 8.39
- Studio: Production I.G
- Awards: Jury Award at Fantasia Film Festival
8. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Two friends navigate the competitive world of table tennis, each confronting inner demons.
Similarities: Strikingly unique animation meets profound character exploration and sports as personal metaphor.
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 8.62
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Notable Staff: Directed by Masaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby)
9. Sarazanmai (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Three boys are transformed into kappas and must face literal manifestations of personal secrets.
Similarities: Symbolic storytelling, hidden pain, and surreal yet heartfelt emotional arcs.
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 7.52
- Studio: MAPPA
- Notable Staff: Directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara (Utena, Penguindrum)
10. My Roommate is a Cat (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A reclusive writer and a stray cat form an unlikely bond that helps them both grow.
Similarities: Both feature isolated protagonists learning to connect again through found family.
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.85
- Studio: Zero-G
- Notable Staff: Directed by Kaoru Suzuki
11. Hyouge Mono (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll (limited availability)
Plot: A samurai obsessed with art and tea ceremony navigates the politics of the Warring States period.
Similarities: Slow-paced introspection, cultural appreciation, and inner conflict between duty and self.
- Episodes: 39
- MAL Rating: 8.16
- Studio: Bee Train
- Awards: Excellence Award at Japan Media Arts Festival
12. Wonder Egg Priority (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A girl enters surreal dreamscapes to save the soul of her late friend, confronting traumas along the way.
Similarities: Stylized visual storytelling combined with deeply personal, psychological exploration.
- Episodes: 12 + 1 special
- MAL Rating: 7.71
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Notable Staff: Directed by Shin Wakabayashi
13. Descending Stories: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu – Sukeroku Futatabi-hen (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: The continuation of the rakugo saga delving into generational legacy and the toll of art.
Similarities: Emotional weight, human fragility, and passion for craft echo themes of Rei’s inner world.
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.82
- Studio: Studio Deen
14. Run with the Wind (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: College misfits form a marathon team, discovering discipline, teamwork, and their own purpose.
Similarities: Like shogi, long-distance running becomes a metaphor for life and internal progress.
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 8.39
- Studio: Production I.G
- Notable Staff: Based on a novel by Shion Miura (The Great Passage)
15. The Great Passage (2016)
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Plot: A quiet man finds purpose in compiling a dictionary, forming unlikely bonds along the way.
Similarities: Low-key pacing, quiet determination, and a focus on self-worth through niche passions.
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 7.91
- Studio: Zexcs
- Notable Staff: Directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi (Shadows House)
- Awards: Jury Selection, Japan Media Arts Festival
Why These Anime Work for March Comes in Like a Lion Fans
These titles may not have topped mainstream charts, but they offer something far more enduring—emotional intelligence, beautiful pacing, and stories that give voice to internal battles. Like March Comes in Like a Lion, they’re not about spectacle; they’re about healing, connection, and growth, often wrapped in poignant artistry or underappreciated storytelling craft. If you were moved by Rei’s journey, these anime will offer new, yet familiar emotional landscapes to explore.
