March Comes in Like a Lion Spinoff - The Scorching Times

The Scorching Times was produced as a thematic expansion of Chica Umino’s celebrated series March Comes in Like a Lion. Conceived during a period of experimentation within the franchise, the volume serves as a supplementary work that shifts focus away from the primary narrative arc of Rei Kiriyama to explore the intense, competitive pressure of the shogi world. Umino, known for her delicate line work and empathetic character studies, intended for this piece to capture the internal heat and psychological exhaustion of high-stakes play through a distinct, more visceral visual lens.

The reception of this spinoff was largely driven by the established fanbase’s desire for deeper lore regarding the secondary players in the shogi universe. Critics noted that while the aesthetic maintained the trademark softness of Umino's original character designs, the narrative tone was intentionally sharper and more rhythmic to reflect the titular scorching intensity. It stands as a testament to the author’s ability to world-build beyond the confines of her main serialization, providing a companion piece that functions both as a character study and a stylistic departure.