If the title makes it sound like I’m excited, it’s because I am. March Comes in Like a Lion is arguably one of the best shows to come out in the last few years, for a multitude of reasons – good characters, fun episodic storylines that still culminate in a powerful overarching story – and now its second season is finally out.

I’ll admit, the first episode isn’t what I thought it was going to be, but looking back at the first season it makes a lot of sense. The first episode picks off where the first season ended, with Rei now being a member of the newly formed Shogi Science club and teaching the former science club members how to play.

Throughout the episode, Rei comes to terms with his current situation and looks back on the progress he’s made towards coming out of his shell as a person. While in the lab at school the former science club members and Rei watch an important Shogi match between Souya and another famous player. During Souya’s match, Rei realizes that his newfound clubmates and his teacher Takashi are not only having a good time with Shogi but are also interested in his well being.

In the second half of the episode, Rei finds himself making Ramune in the science Lab after they see Souya and his opponent eating snacks during their match. Rei, being a recluse who doesn’t know how to do much for himself, needs help from Noguchi in making the snack. The episode ends with a much appreciated happy note for Rei: that he has friends.

So much of the story of the first season was Rei battling with his tendency towards loneliness and not relying on others for help, but now it seems that has changed for the better. Rei has found a lot of people who he loves and considers family. His days of being lonely are, for the most part, over.

Even though I’m going to say it here, it goes without saying that this was a strong start. The first episode was everything fans of the show expect for a show of its quality.

The animation from Shaft and Akiyuki Shinbo were exceptionally expressive, and on the same level of quality as the first season. The colorful art style combined with Shaft’s unique storytelling style is present for this first episode and will likely continue to be here.

The opening and ending theme were both phenomenal, as was the case with the first season, being performed by YUKI and Brian the Sun respectively.