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S・A（スペシャル・エー）[Special A] #4
Special A, Vol. 4
Hikari wird von Kei entführt, nachdem dieser erfahren hat, dass Tadashi und Hikari ein Date haben. Aber dann wird Kei plötzlich krank und Hikari muss ihn pflegen...
Rasch kommen sie sich näher! Dauert es nicht mehr lange, bis Keis Liebe zur unsensiblen Hikari durchdringt?
Währenddessen müssen die Schüler der Special-A auf Befehl der Schuldirektorin drei Tage lang eine normale Oberschule besuchen. Was mag sie dort wohl erwarten...
Rasch kommen sie sich näher! Dauert es nicht mehr lange, bis Keis Liebe zur unsensiblen Hikari durchdringt?
Währenddessen müssen die Schüler der Special-A auf Befehl der Schuldirektorin drei Tage lang eine normale Oberschule besuchen. Was mag sie dort wohl erwarten...
First published August 19, 2005
12 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Maki Minami
62 books266 followersMaki Minami ( 南マキ) is a Japanese manga author. She is best known as the author of manga series Special A.
In 2001, her short story Day Dream Believer (デイ・ドリーム・ビリーバー) received an Honourable Mention for Hakusensha's 25th Athena awards. She debuted in Hana to Yume's October 2001 issue with a short story titled Faraway Blue (彼方の青 Kanata no Ao).
Maki Minami's longest running series, Special A, began publication in 2003 and recently ended in 2009. Her current series, Seiyū ka-! began serialization in Hana to Yume in 2009, after the completion of Special A. Her recent works also include the oneshot Ane☆Mone Seikaten (アネ☆モネ 生花店), which appeared in the April 2009 edition of The Hana to Yume.
In 2001, her short story Day Dream Believer (デイ・ドリーム・ビリーバー) received an Honourable Mention for Hakusensha's 25th Athena awards. She debuted in Hana to Yume's October 2001 issue with a short story titled Faraway Blue (彼方の青 Kanata no Ao).
Maki Minami's longest running series, Special A, began publication in 2003 and recently ended in 2009. Her current series, Seiyū ka-! began serialization in Hana to Yume in 2009, after the completion of Special A. Her recent works also include the oneshot Ane☆Mone Seikaten (アネ☆モネ 生花店), which appeared in the April 2009 edition of The Hana to Yume.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 20, 2021
The first story in this book was pretty cliched--Kei gets sick, Hikari decides to take care of him, and she can't cook. Woo! I liked the rest of it, though. We get a little more depth to some of the characters, and there are lots of silly misunderstandings piled one on top of the other.
December 3, 2019
La parte dedicata ad Akira mi è piaciuta ma non capisco perché il suo amico creda di poter far tutto quello che vuole. Che fastidio!!
Poi compare una rivale in amore di Hikari e lei le promette che scoprirà che tipo di ragazza piace a Kei. Mammamia, che tonta!
Va beh, dai, speriamo che si mantenga su questi livelli perché non sono neanche a metà.
Poi compare una rivale in amore di Hikari e lei le promette che scoprirà che tipo di ragazza piace a Kei. Mammamia, che tonta!
Va beh, dai, speriamo che si mantenga su questi livelli perché non sono neanche a metà.
Read
November 28, 20244.25*
January 20, 2024
‘Seriously, you don’t have to try to make it fun. Just… BE with me.’
How dare you, Kei Takishima, that’s too cuteeeee
How dare you, Kei Takishima, that’s too cuteeeee
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2024
CHAPTER 17?!!?!?!?! (Kei did the thing oh my god HE DID THE THING)
The Yahiro/Akira plot is progressing. Yahiro is one of those characters that needs to LEARN TO COMMUNICATE, just SAY WHAT YOU'RE THINKING INSTEAD OF BEING SUCH A MYSTERIOUS ASSHOLE ALL THE TIME ([/pos], he sucks and I love him). I cannot figure out it if Akira is lesbean or bi but I would be okay with both scenarios. The Akira/Tadashi friend?ship is certainly something.
Also, the two leads are blushing a whole bunch and that brings me joy. 🥰🤭
When do you think the plot will have time for the twins and Ryu? They're just chillin in the corner, slowly getting covered in moss (metaphorically) in this volume. Hello..?
The Yahiro/Akira plot is progressing. Yahiro is one of those characters that needs to LEARN TO COMMUNICATE, just SAY WHAT YOU'RE THINKING INSTEAD OF BEING SUCH A MYSTERIOUS ASSHOLE ALL THE TIME ([/pos], he sucks and I love him). I cannot figure out it if Akira is lesbean or bi but I would be okay with both scenarios. The Akira/Tadashi friend?ship is certainly something.
Also, the two leads are blushing a whole bunch and that brings me joy. 🥰🤭
When do you think the plot will have time for the twins and Ryu? They're just chillin in the corner, slowly getting covered in moss (metaphorically) in this volume. Hello..?
July 16, 2020
There's a few new characters in this manga. From Akira point of view in her childhood days with her childhood friend n she hate yahiro for making her friend her hate her n leaves. I think yahiro have his reasons in back on those days. I love tadashi n Akira moment. Akira n kei beat tadashi because of hikari( refer to volume 3 : tadashi & hikari first date). Hikari & tadashi relationship was pretty normal to me( refer volume 3).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2017
Good volume.
February 25, 2019
Love love love!!! The word stupid is used a lot and boy, are they with relationships! I love these characters and how they are drawn.
August 10, 2019
I love how this hasn’t progressed without anything really changing beyond our understanding of the characters.
October 8, 2020
Pretty good and cute school life manga, pretty decent story and love the characters and art style👌😁😻❤️
June 17, 2021
Yes this series just keeps getting better!!!
I love Hikari. She’s oblivious to Kei’s feelings but I’m actually not annoyed by it. I think it fits with the humor of the series.
I love Hikari. She’s oblivious to Kei’s feelings but I’m actually not annoyed by it. I think it fits with the humor of the series.
March 14, 2025
4/5
8/10
8/10
June 24, 2014
Come check out my book blog! Teenage Bookaholic
SYNOPSIS: *Please note that this is a review for the entire series, comprised of 17 books*
Hikari Hanazono is not your typical high school girl. While she comes from a modest background, she strives to do her best at anything and everything to top her rival. After losing an impromptu wrestling match as a child, Hikari made it her life's goal to beat Kei Takishima, a wealthy child who is destined to work for the family business, any way possible. She is so determined, she enrolled in the same elite private school as Kei, and worked her way to be number 2 out of not just her class, but the entire school, making her a part of an elite group of 7 called Special A. For Hikari, it's not enough, as Kei is sitting pretty as number 1.
With her friends, Akira, Megumi, Jun, Tadashi, and Ryu along for the ride, Special A follows the comedic adventures of the top 7 students at Hakusenkan High- as Kei is forced to work for the family business, as Jun learns to love, as Megumi finds her voice, as Ryu discovers the hidden face of love, as Tadashi opens up, and as Hikari continues to fight for number 1!
REVIEW: Unlike YA novels, I do not know my favorite type of manga yet. I mostly pick manga based on what series has the first volume on my library's shelves.... It can be a hit or miss, but this was a hit.
Similar to Veronica Roth, the series has a fast pace to it, constantly creating new drama and plot twists that never let the series grow boring. Some things you could see coming, but others not so much. Either way, I was not bored, and the book did not have any prolonged focus on romances, which can be boring for me. The story was also relatable: a student striving for success with friend drama, as well as personal dramas.
With most manga, I have issue of telling characters apart; just when I think it's Person A talking, its Person R, a close look-a-like to Person A, and even when I can tell the characters apart (barely), I still cannot remember the long, authentic Japanese names. None of these issues came up in the series. Consistently, the series would use the formal last name AND informal first, which helped me remember the name as Hikari Hanazono, not Ms. Hanazono or just Hikari... something. Also, the art was very well done, allowing me to tell character differences by expression and hairstyle.
This leads me to the art, which was glorious! Much detail was taken in to the backgrounds (as pointed out by Minami in her novels), and outfits. I also enjoyed the sporadic and roaming quarter pages of commentary. How she talks about a pseudo burglary at her place while the gang is in some sort of peril added a sense of nonchalance that fit the series. It's about the adventure these characters take, rather than following the emotion of the drama.
While this all sounds like a great series, a few elements ruined the series for me. First was the panel styling. Many of the panels were overlapping, which led to a choppy flow of reading. Incredibly distracting and confusing, which stole from enjoying the series. Second, the focus could have been turned more towards other characters in the series. It is titled Special A, but the story mainly focuses on Hikari and Kei. I personally would have liked to learn more about what happened to Ryu and his lover before the conclusion, or whether Akira and her old friend could get along. It had more chapters on Hikari and Kei than any one S.A. member. Lastly, I was not a fan of outside girls, interfering with Kei and Hikari. I am not saying I was protective of Kei and Hikari, but I found it rather obnoxious. It was framed like the S.A. were a special elite group, which they were, and everyone else, who wasn't rich at least, was an outsider to the group. It was like the author had to put the characters on a pedestal to make the series work, which wasn't necessary. It seemed almost like the group was discriminatory towards anyone not of wealth, and when I say discriminatory, i mean they behaved like elitists rather than hateful. Hikari was an exception from an early age, mind you.
All in all, Special A was a comedic read that was pleasurable and realistic. It had good momentum until the end, and was interesting to see how the schooling system works in Japan. I would give it more stars if not for the misleading paneling.
I will now conclude with my favorite quote from page 10 of volume 12:
"Ryu: YOU DON'T GET TO PICK! And why a mountain?!!
Tadashi: A MOUNTAIN WOULD BE ANY GUY'S DREAM!!
Ryu: Go eat a s'more.
Tadashi: That's amore.
Ryu: Mahjongg!
Tadashi: GAME!"
SYNOPSIS: *Please note that this is a review for the entire series, comprised of 17 books*
Hikari Hanazono is not your typical high school girl. While she comes from a modest background, she strives to do her best at anything and everything to top her rival. After losing an impromptu wrestling match as a child, Hikari made it her life's goal to beat Kei Takishima, a wealthy child who is destined to work for the family business, any way possible. She is so determined, she enrolled in the same elite private school as Kei, and worked her way to be number 2 out of not just her class, but the entire school, making her a part of an elite group of 7 called Special A. For Hikari, it's not enough, as Kei is sitting pretty as number 1.
With her friends, Akira, Megumi, Jun, Tadashi, and Ryu along for the ride, Special A follows the comedic adventures of the top 7 students at Hakusenkan High- as Kei is forced to work for the family business, as Jun learns to love, as Megumi finds her voice, as Ryu discovers the hidden face of love, as Tadashi opens up, and as Hikari continues to fight for number 1!
REVIEW: Unlike YA novels, I do not know my favorite type of manga yet. I mostly pick manga based on what series has the first volume on my library's shelves.... It can be a hit or miss, but this was a hit.
Similar to Veronica Roth, the series has a fast pace to it, constantly creating new drama and plot twists that never let the series grow boring. Some things you could see coming, but others not so much. Either way, I was not bored, and the book did not have any prolonged focus on romances, which can be boring for me. The story was also relatable: a student striving for success with friend drama, as well as personal dramas.
With most manga, I have issue of telling characters apart; just when I think it's Person A talking, its Person R, a close look-a-like to Person A, and even when I can tell the characters apart (barely), I still cannot remember the long, authentic Japanese names. None of these issues came up in the series. Consistently, the series would use the formal last name AND informal first, which helped me remember the name as Hikari Hanazono, not Ms. Hanazono or just Hikari... something. Also, the art was very well done, allowing me to tell character differences by expression and hairstyle.
This leads me to the art, which was glorious! Much detail was taken in to the backgrounds (as pointed out by Minami in her novels), and outfits. I also enjoyed the sporadic and roaming quarter pages of commentary. How she talks about a pseudo burglary at her place while the gang is in some sort of peril added a sense of nonchalance that fit the series. It's about the adventure these characters take, rather than following the emotion of the drama.
While this all sounds like a great series, a few elements ruined the series for me. First was the panel styling. Many of the panels were overlapping, which led to a choppy flow of reading. Incredibly distracting and confusing, which stole from enjoying the series. Second, the focus could have been turned more towards other characters in the series. It is titled Special A, but the story mainly focuses on Hikari and Kei. I personally would have liked to learn more about what happened to Ryu and his lover before the conclusion, or whether Akira and her old friend could get along. It had more chapters on Hikari and Kei than any one S.A. member. Lastly, I was not a fan of outside girls, interfering with Kei and Hikari. I am not saying I was protective of Kei and Hikari, but I found it rather obnoxious. It was framed like the S.A. were a special elite group, which they were, and everyone else, who wasn't rich at least, was an outsider to the group. It was like the author had to put the characters on a pedestal to make the series work, which wasn't necessary. It seemed almost like the group was discriminatory towards anyone not of wealth, and when I say discriminatory, i mean they behaved like elitists rather than hateful. Hikari was an exception from an early age, mind you.
All in all, Special A was a comedic read that was pleasurable and realistic. It had good momentum until the end, and was interesting to see how the schooling system works in Japan. I would give it more stars if not for the misleading paneling.
I will now conclude with my favorite quote from page 10 of volume 12:
"Ryu: YOU DON'T GET TO PICK! And why a mountain?!!
Tadashi: A MOUNTAIN WOULD BE ANY GUY'S DREAM!!
Ryu: Go eat a s'more.
Tadashi: That's amore.
Ryu: Mahjongg!
Tadashi: GAME!"
February 15, 2011
I love Tadashi!!! He is my favourite character!!!!!!!!
Tadashi ♥♥♥ :D
So this review is for the overall series. I give the overall series 5 stars because it was raelly good.
Funny at times, romantic at times, cute at times, sad at times. Also, I really loved the art (It's true! I have some saved pictures from things in the book.)
I would like to say that Hikari is SOOOOOOOO dense. I mean like crazy. I'm not even joking. I'm not going to tell you why but I want to say that when she said that and Takishima was all surprised and some-what happy but then she said something else, I was like in my head, "Wow. She is just so... wow."
One thing I rally love in this book is how Megumi and Jun love Ryuu. It is just so entertaining watching them hug Ryuu. Be protective of you. Huh, it was so cute it was hilarious.
I find it very surprising what Finn is. I was like "HOLY SHIAT!" in the book when I found out. And then with Ryuu and then Hikari. LOL. I hate Finn's father for a reason you will find out if you read the books. :D
I'm not sure if you care but. in this manga there is this one picture of Takishimi and Hikari that I just love to stare at. It looks very nice and I love it for some reason. I even hang it up in my room. I'm such a loser.
I like Megumi's name. I like the fact that she can sing so good that it is dangerous. I also love how she writes down what she wants to say.
Takishima in the manga I like; not so much in the anime. This is probably because in the anime, Takishimi has brown hair a kinda really deep voice and is really thin and lanky (most of the characters in the manga are thin and lanky. :P. In the manga, Takishimi has blond hair, I imagine him with a slighter higher voice and he isn't that thin and lanky. Anyway....
Miss Number Too. I love how Takishima always finds a way to be number one. Like that one test when he got 105%. LAWLS!
So here's what I thought of the book. It was really good. Funny, romantic(in a weird way?) and entertaining. Even thoguh it is Shoujo, I think everyone should read it. :D
Tadashi ♥♥♥ :D
So this review is for the overall series. I give the overall series 5 stars because it was raelly good.
Funny at times, romantic at times, cute at times, sad at times. Also, I really loved the art (It's true! I have some saved pictures from things in the book.)
I would like to say that Hikari is SOOOOOOOO dense. I mean like crazy. I'm not even joking. I'm not going to tell you why but I want to say that when she said that and Takishima was all surprised and some-what happy but then she said something else, I was like in my head, "Wow. She is just so... wow."
One thing I rally love in this book is how Megumi and Jun love Ryuu. It is just so entertaining watching them hug Ryuu. Be protective of you. Huh, it was so cute it was hilarious.
I find it very surprising what Finn is. I was like "HOLY SHIAT!" in the book when I found out. And then with Ryuu and then Hikari. LOL. I hate Finn's father for a reason you will find out if you read the books. :D
I'm not sure if you care but. in this manga there is this one picture of Takishimi and Hikari that I just love to stare at. It looks very nice and I love it for some reason. I even hang it up in my room. I'm such a loser.
I like Megumi's name. I like the fact that she can sing so good that it is dangerous. I also love how she writes down what she wants to say.
Takishima in the manga I like; not so much in the anime. This is probably because in the anime, Takishimi has brown hair a kinda really deep voice and is really thin and lanky (most of the characters in the manga are thin and lanky. :P. In the manga, Takishimi has blond hair, I imagine him with a slighter higher voice and he isn't that thin and lanky. Anyway....
Miss Number Too. I love how Takishima always finds a way to be number one. Like that one test when he got 105%. LAWLS!
So here's what I thought of the book. It was really good. Funny, romantic(in a weird way?) and entertaining. Even thoguh it is Shoujo, I think everyone should read it. :D
September 1, 2009
Hikari was kidnapped by Kei when he found out that Hikari was on a "date" with Tadashi. During the plane ride Kei got sick over the stress of his father’s company. Hikari decided to care for him until he got better. When he comes around Kei kisses Hikari on the lips and leaves her with a lot of feelings, but when Hikari tries to find out what type of girl Kei likes for Sakura (Kei's "match") she can't bring herself to say it. Does she have feelings for Kei?
This book reminds me of twilight because Kei acted like he didn't care about Hikari but when he kissed her he was actually a character you could finally figure out like Edward and the way he acted toward Bella except Kei isn’t a vampire.
I give this book 5 stars because I thought it was funny and romantic. I liked the way the author made the characters at the ending of the book.
This book reminds me of twilight because Kei acted like he didn't care about Hikari but when he kissed her he was actually a character you could finally figure out like Edward and the way he acted toward Bella except Kei isn’t a vampire.
I give this book 5 stars because I thought it was funny and romantic. I liked the way the author made the characters at the ending of the book.
May 14, 2016
The rating and review are conclusion for all of the volumes. Except for the synopsis.
Okay, where do I begin? The first volume is not that bad. A bit like warming up. As the story goes on, it gets more interesting and funnier. I love the ending. It's totally cute!
It's good and I enjoy it! Totally worth giving it a try! :)
Synopsis for volume 4:
Kei finds out about Hikari's date with Tadashi and quickly rushed to Tadashi's house in the previous volume. He takes Hikari away. However, it turns out that Kei has fever. Hikari has to look after Kei since she is the only one there.
November 13, 2008
I enjoye this series. It always makes me laugh. In this volume Kei comes down with a fever and Hikari there to help him out. Somehow they end up deciding to go out on Sunday. I loved the part where he gives her a quick kiss since she is so bothered about what happened in Hawaii. Also in the volume Special A class going to another school and being split up in classes for a week. Then there is the chapter with the date with Kei and Hikari. This was such an enjoyable volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2010
Note:This review is a series review, not really a volume specific review.
One of my favorite mangas. An excellent shoujo (meaning it is a comic aimed at teenage girls) story about Hikari whose life mission is to beat Kei. She goes to a very expensive school (one that her family can barely afford) for the sole purpose of trying to beat Kei. Poor Hikari is a clueless and loving girl who is always #2 in everything while Kei is #1. A good mix of drama, hilarity, and sweetness.
One of my favorite mangas. An excellent shoujo (meaning it is a comic aimed at teenage girls) story about Hikari whose life mission is to beat Kei. She goes to a very expensive school (one that her family can barely afford) for the sole purpose of trying to beat Kei. Poor Hikari is a clueless and loving girl who is always #2 in everything while Kei is #1. A good mix of drama, hilarity, and sweetness.
February 21, 2015
This series was amazing! Hikari and Kai's relationship is so comedic and heartwarming. I got through this series so fast and I just wanted to keep reading. All the characters are fun and this series is very entertaining.
If you liked Ouran High School Host Club I would recommend this series.
If you liked Ouran High School Host Club I would recommend this series.
September 21, 2014
This was another great volume, I love the vibe and the characters are lovely and hilarious. It was a bit different as we learn more about Akira's story and two of the chapters are focussed on her instead of Hikari. And I liked it :))) So yea, loved it and can't wait to grab the next volume!!
September 21, 2014
Series Review: Special A is a interesting and cute manga that I really enjoyed. It was funny and entertaining plot and character wise. I most enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. I recommend giving this manga a try.
March 4, 2016
I adore this series. Although sometimes it can be confusing at first. Normally by the end of the book I understand everything and have all the warm fuzzy feelings.. and the need for the next book. Now.
June 5, 2016
Omg~ Hikari's so cute while dating Kei~ too bad his dad and Sakura disturbed them!!!!! I wish to see more of their matches and lovey-dovey moments heehee
(I don't really like Yahiro. I wish I could just throw him outer space!!)
(I don't really like Yahiro. I wish I could just throw him outer space!!)
January 17, 2010
Okay, even Yahiro is growing on me!
November 10, 2010
Read a scanlation while drinking so this might be better than I've rated it
December 24, 2025
Read/rated in grade school.
April 3, 2012
This one just felt... meh. Maybe that was because I was yearning to go back to watching the Boys Over Flowers Korean drama... My bad, my bad.
November 6, 2015
This one was a bit more melodramatic with all the story behind Akira's past (and also Yahiro's, who was innocent after all!). But as always, the scenes between Hikari and Kei are extremely funny.
December 18, 2012
Sakura's scarier than Akira...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews