3月のライオン [3-gatsu no Lion] #5

Volume 5 of Chika Umino's March Comes in Like a Lion offers a quietly arresting cover: a bespectacled young boy sits tucked among lush green foliage, hugging what appears to be a shogi-related book or pamphlet to his chest, his expression carrying that familiar mix of solemnity and contemplation. The surrounding leaves seem to envelop him, giving the image a gentle, sheltered feeling that perfectly suits the series' introspective tone. Umino's delicate linework and soft, naturalistic palette make this volume as visually thoughtful as the story it represents.