Episode 12

"What Lies on the Opposite Shore" is episode 12 of the anime adaptation of Sangatsu No Lion.

Synopsis
Third day of the new year, Rei returns home and practices shogi as usual. Alone, his surroundings seem loud, he is overwhelmed by a familiar feeling that he needs to get out of his house and walk. He fears if he stands still, he won't be able to move again. Rei finds that when he returns to his daily life, it is painful and lonely.

Rei realizes he cannot move up in rank this season, but plans for ways to improve himself and standpoint so he will not be stagnant. The Lion Tournament is sponsored by the largest newspaper in Japan. Winners receive great sums of money. Rei's opponent is Takeshi Tsuji. Rei descibes him as a strong shogi player that cracks lame jokes while playing. Meanwhile Smith plays against Okuyasu Yokomizo. Smith wins cleverly so that even Rei and Tsuji are amazed despite being in their own match. Rei wins, to which Tsuji handles well with even more horrible puns.

Smith calls Gotou a guy with yakuza vibes, who Rei and him run into in the lobby. Rei has nothing but disdain for Gotou and doesn't say a word. Gotou says they will be moving up with a smirk. Gotou tells Rei to tell his father to get that "stalker girl" off his back, referring to Kyouko. Rei lashes out, but Smith manages to hold him back.

Rei is given excessive amounts of fish to take to Akari. Akari and Hinata thank him, saying this helps them save money on meals for the next week. Momo and Hinata want Rei to stay the night and solve a puzzle with them, but Rei has a match coming up he must study for. Momo tells Rei to do his best. Slowly, Rei is becoming part of Akari's family. Rei is determined to beat Gotou in shogi, as when they fought physically, Rei was unable to defend himself.