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S・A（スペシャル・エー）[Special A] #17
Special A, Vol. 17
Her whole life, Hikari Hanazono has been consumed with the desire to win against her school rival, Kei Takishima--at anything. He always comes out on top no matter what he does, and Hikari is determined to do whatever it takes to beat this guy...somehow!At age 6 Hikari lost to Kei in an impromptu wrestling match. Now, at 15, Hikari joins ""Special A,"" a group of the top seven students at a private academy, for the opportunity to trounce the guy who made her suffer her first defeat.
Joy abounds when final exams are over and the students begin to plan for the summer festival. But secretly Hikari is heartbroken--she'll be moving to Kyushu because of her father's job. She can't bring herself to tell Kei and the others. Will she really leave the boy and the school she loves?
Joy abounds when final exams are over and the students begin to plan for the summer festival. But secretly Hikari is heartbroken--she'll be moving to Kyushu because of her father's job. She can't bring herself to tell Kei and the others. Will she really leave the boy and the school she loves?
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2009
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 48 reviews
May 8, 2016
KEI!!!
Read
February 25, 20224.5
RTC
RTC
August 31, 2020
Hikari is going to transferred to other school so Hikari's friends make a festival for the people also having fun time with hikari. The tadashi said to hikari it was his first date. Kei challenge to hikari n in the end kei win, n want hikari to stay in s.a.Thats my fav moment. So far my favourite characters are tadashi, Ryuu, finn, Akira & Hikari. Looks like I finished this last volume of this manga so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2015
ooh!I lUV this manga.I've never had this much fun reading a manga,laughed so much my stomache hurt.From the day I started till the day I finished I was excited & sleepless.I'm totally in luv with Takashima Kei,he's a superb character,cool,cute &so mad about Hikari.She on other hand made me want to throttle her for being so dense & not understanding Kei's feelings,poor guy! but still I loved her too.Not only these two ,the other characters were equally lovable &enjoyable.The whole S.A were one fantastic group.I LOVE'EM ALL!! Thank you for this manga.....
November 24, 2018
*this is my review of the entire manga (Volumes 1 to 17)
S●A is certainly a spectacularly amazing manga. It was everything I thought it would be after watching the anime so many times. The members of S●A wind up in so many wacky situations but it’s all great.
I’ve fallen in love with the characters all over again. They’re so quirky, endearing and adorable people. Their close friendship is goals because they’re always there for each other through good times and bad. They make each other (and the reader) laugh and smile all the time. There’s a lot of depth and history to them.
I was laughing and awe-ing throughout the whole series. Maki Minami really knows how to weave humor in any and all situations the characters find themselves in. Both the narrative and the artwork is hilarious. I always giggle at the drawings of shocked characters.
Hikari is probably my favorite character because of her personality. She is for sure very dense but unbelievably kind, optimistic, supportive, and physically strong. I would be so happy to have her as a friend.
S●A is a rom-com I would recommend to everyone. I’m so happy to have read this manga.
S●A is certainly a spectacularly amazing manga. It was everything I thought it would be after watching the anime so many times. The members of S●A wind up in so many wacky situations but it’s all great.
I’ve fallen in love with the characters all over again. They’re so quirky, endearing and adorable people. Their close friendship is goals because they’re always there for each other through good times and bad. They make each other (and the reader) laugh and smile all the time. There’s a lot of depth and history to them.
I was laughing and awe-ing throughout the whole series. Maki Minami really knows how to weave humor in any and all situations the characters find themselves in. Both the narrative and the artwork is hilarious. I always giggle at the drawings of shocked characters.
Hikari is probably my favorite character because of her personality. She is for sure very dense but unbelievably kind, optimistic, supportive, and physically strong. I would be so happy to have her as a friend.
S●A is a rom-com I would recommend to everyone. I’m so happy to have read this manga.
January 26, 2022
Special A è un manga shojo decisamente divertente!
A tratti surreale, ma proprio per questo estremamente esilarante. Lo stile inizialmente acerbo dell'autrice aumenta di livello man mano che si va avanti con i numeri della serie.
Quindi se lo iniziate e i disegni non vi convincono, non fermatevi, vedrete che verrete ripagati man mano che la storia procede!
I personaggi sono affascinanti, ben strutturati, ognuno con le loro peculiarità che li rendono unici e irresistibili.
Avendo visto anche l'anime posso fare il paragone, e per quanto sia un ottimo prodotto televisivo che consiglio, reputo che i manga siano migliori: più approfonditi, con più avvenimenti che nell'anime sono stati tagliati o modificate. Il che è davvero un peccato perché è decisamente più povero e c'erano delle scene veramente meravigliose, purtroppo scartate.
Perciò se vi capita di vedere l'anime dopo aver letto i fumetti forse verrete un po'delusi, ma è davvero godibile.
Consigliati entrambi!
ps. ovviamente il pubblico di riferimento è adolescenziale. Ottimo per farsi due risate e avere una lettura leggera di puro intrattenimento
A tratti surreale, ma proprio per questo estremamente esilarante. Lo stile inizialmente acerbo dell'autrice aumenta di livello man mano che si va avanti con i numeri della serie.
Quindi se lo iniziate e i disegni non vi convincono, non fermatevi, vedrete che verrete ripagati man mano che la storia procede!
I personaggi sono affascinanti, ben strutturati, ognuno con le loro peculiarità che li rendono unici e irresistibili.
Avendo visto anche l'anime posso fare il paragone, e per quanto sia un ottimo prodotto televisivo che consiglio, reputo che i manga siano migliori: più approfonditi, con più avvenimenti che nell'anime sono stati tagliati o modificate. Il che è davvero un peccato perché è decisamente più povero e c'erano delle scene veramente meravigliose, purtroppo scartate.
Perciò se vi capita di vedere l'anime dopo aver letto i fumetti forse verrete un po'delusi, ma è davvero godibile.
Consigliati entrambi!
ps. ovviamente il pubblico di riferimento è adolescenziale. Ottimo per farsi due risate e avere una lettura leggera di puro intrattenimento
June 25, 2021
I have a feeling that Hikari and Kei will be competing against each other for the rest of their lives ❤️
I give this series a 3.75/5 stars.
This is not your typical shojo series. So if you’re looking for romance, it’s not really in the fore front of this series. Yes, characters fall in love and you do get some mushy, cute moments but they are few and far between all the antics these characters get themselves( mostly Hikari) mixed up in. This series is more com than rom!!!
The number one thing I love about this series is the comedy. The humor is overdramatized and I am all for it!!! It’s ridiculously crazy sometimes and I can’t stop laughing.
The second thing I love about this series is the characters. I absolutely loved these kids. I do wish the side characters had a little more story time though.
Overall, I recommend SA to anyone who is looking for a laugh. You won’t be disappointed!
I give this series a 3.75/5 stars.
This is not your typical shojo series. So if you’re looking for romance, it’s not really in the fore front of this series. Yes, characters fall in love and you do get some mushy, cute moments but they are few and far between all the antics these characters get themselves( mostly Hikari) mixed up in. This series is more com than rom!!!
The number one thing I love about this series is the comedy. The humor is overdramatized and I am all for it!!! It’s ridiculously crazy sometimes and I can’t stop laughing.
The second thing I love about this series is the characters. I absolutely loved these kids. I do wish the side characters had a little more story time though.
Overall, I recommend SA to anyone who is looking for a laugh. You won’t be disappointed!
March 5, 2023
Tras varios meses de leerme este manga junto a un amigo, ya lo hemos terminado.
No ha sido creo que en ningún momento aburrido, siempre había algo que lo mantenía entretenido.
Como opinión general diría que es muy poco conocido y que se merece un poco más de atención, porque los personajes estaban bien construidos y cada uno presentaba su trasfondo y tenían su arco.
Alguna pareja la veo forzada, aunque no sin sentido.
Al final te encariñas con el grupo y todo JAJAJ
No está mal en general, está bien para cuando no sabes qué leer y quieres un romcom, pero como es muy de vida estudiantil y romance a lo mejor no es la gran cosa
Le pondría un 7/10
No ha sido creo que en ningún momento aburrido, siempre había algo que lo mantenía entretenido.
Como opinión general diría que es muy poco conocido y que se merece un poco más de atención, porque los personajes estaban bien construidos y cada uno presentaba su trasfondo y tenían su arco.
Alguna pareja la veo forzada, aunque no sin sentido.
Al final te encariñas con el grupo y todo JAJAJ
No está mal en general, está bien para cuando no sabes qué leer y quieres un romcom, pero como es muy de vida estudiantil y romance a lo mejor no es la gran cosa
Le pondría un 7/10
February 15, 2020
I am SO in love with these characters and hate to see the end!! Very well done final volume, I especially loved the illustrations on the quarter page comments! Everything is going to be okay and I love that Ms. Minami was able to let us know that was the case! Goodbye Special A!! I look forward to more work from your Mangaka!!
February 17, 2024
I can't believe I've hesistated reading this for so long. Yes, there are scenes that are still cringey and ridiculous. Yes, the art (especially in the first few volumes) is outdated. But it's also funny, romantic, and heartwarming. It's both nostalgia and the excitement of something new. Oh how nice it is to be a kid again.
July 13, 2024
Series review -- I think this story has its sweet points, but I didn't love the introduction of pointless conflict after pointless conflict. Plus, I think Hikari being a genius (#2 in an elite school???) is completely disregarded in the second half of the series, and that's frustrating.
May 5, 2017
So sad this is done but love the wrap up
September 2, 2017
Good volume. Series was interesting.
June 29, 2019
A great series. I highly enjoyed it!
October 8, 2020
Pretty good and cute school life manga, pretty decent story and love the characters and art style👌😁😻❤️
April 21, 2021
I cried all my tears
April 13, 2022
weeeee por qué ese final es así? AAAAAAAAA, Yeserid es mala xd.
June 5, 2024
I didn't get anything out of reading this whole series. It's so basic. A non-plot that gets hammered down every volume. I would not read the whole series twice.
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!"
July 5, 2015
This series is essentially the love child between Ouran HighSchool Host Club and Maid-Sama!, but is strangely still refreshing in its own way. For one thing, the artwork and layout is WONDERFULLY EASY TO FOLLOW. You have no idea how much reading comedy manga is a pet peeve, with the excessive overlapping insanity that ensues every other panel. For me, it's okay in small doses (it sort of comes with the territory, to be honest), but it can get really old and really confusing in a matter of minutes. Special A miraculously refrains from too much of that so I'm actually able to follow the plot and comic relief without feeling my head spin. The only downside, as other reviewers have pointed out, is that sometimes the dialogue bubbles can get lost in the midst, but I can forgive that due to the clean, clear-cut layout (again, for a comedy manga).
Secondly, the heroine is an oxymoron and I LOVE that about her. Too often we see either "naive and clumsy" or "badass and independent" but rarely do we get something in-between. Hikari is badass (even as "Eternally Miss Second Place"), but my gods, she's oblivious to ANY signs of romantic affiliations towards her! It becomes almost a running gag in the series, but I found it hilarious. Usually naïveté is found in the cutesy, klutzy heroine (or side character), not in the "fighter," if you will. It gives her some level of three-dimensional characteristic that does NOT rely on tragic backstory. Which is SO REFRESHING, especially for a shoujo manga.
Thirdly, we ALMOST get a "jealous love rival" (Sakura, one of Kei's potential future wives), but instead of dealing with pointless drama, she and Hikari recognize that it's an awkward situation for everyone and become fast friends-- and there's no bitterness or betrayal between them either. I positively LOVED that twist! Nothing drives me more crazy in a love story than the stereotypical jealous bitchy character, who's usually only thrown into a series for drama, or, if we're talking Kitchen Princess, reconciles with the sweet heroine midway through. Special A took that stereotype and "pro-wrestled" it to the ground! Mmm!! LOVE IT!!
And fourthly.... Kei Takishima is NOT the perfect guy he's made out to be (though he's pretty damn close, but let's face it, no manga/anime would be complete without one). He struggles with his genius mind vs his feelings, he sulks and threatens when others are in his way, he teases Hikari mercilessly, and he even has trouble accepting being "friend-zoned." HOWEVER, he also shows his resolve by continually treating Hikari with the respect she deserves (outside of teasing) and being uber-protective of her (which admittedly is ONE major stereotype, but one I can forgive). In some ways, he's a typical love interest, but in others, he steps away from the stereotype. When I first began reading this series, all I could think was "this is Takuma Usui from Maid-Sama!, for gods' sake, you're not even trying!!" But as time went on, I noticed a key difference: Takishima isn't just a badass for the sake of being one, because he literally cannot help it. His photographic memory carries his legacy more than anything else, AND because of that mixed with his heritage, he's under a mountain of pressure from his father's side of the family. He isn't "tragic," per se, just far more relatable than say, Usui, or many other typical shoujo "perfect guy" types.
Of course, all seven of S.A. have their share of quirks and back stories. (I personally find Jun's to the biggest hunk of BS: an "alternative personality" via hypnosis that's NEVER been cured??? REALLY???) Oh, and on that note, it's so relieving to NOT have the main love interests be caught in a love triangle or harem. Hell, the closest existence of a love triangle centers around Akira, Yahiro, and Tadashi, and even THEN, it's resolved with Yahiro finding love elsewhere (won't say who; it's kinda shocking).
I loved all the characters and their developments. My personal favorites are Akira and Finn, though I still root for Hikari and Kei's relationship of course. All in all, this series may not be as clever and satirical as Ouran, but I still loved it. Besides, I prefer Ouran's anime, and I prefer S.A.'s manga, so there you go.
And I think that's enough rambling for one day. ^_^
Secondly, the heroine is an oxymoron and I LOVE that about her. Too often we see either "naive and clumsy" or "badass and independent" but rarely do we get something in-between. Hikari is badass (even as "Eternally Miss Second Place"), but my gods, she's oblivious to ANY signs of romantic affiliations towards her! It becomes almost a running gag in the series, but I found it hilarious. Usually naïveté is found in the cutesy, klutzy heroine (or side character), not in the "fighter," if you will. It gives her some level of three-dimensional characteristic that does NOT rely on tragic backstory. Which is SO REFRESHING, especially for a shoujo manga.
Thirdly, we ALMOST get a "jealous love rival" (Sakura, one of Kei's potential future wives), but instead of dealing with pointless drama, she and Hikari recognize that it's an awkward situation for everyone and become fast friends-- and there's no bitterness or betrayal between them either. I positively LOVED that twist! Nothing drives me more crazy in a love story than the stereotypical jealous bitchy character, who's usually only thrown into a series for drama, or, if we're talking Kitchen Princess, reconciles with the sweet heroine midway through. Special A took that stereotype and "pro-wrestled" it to the ground! Mmm!! LOVE IT!!
And fourthly.... Kei Takishima is NOT the perfect guy he's made out to be (though he's pretty damn close, but let's face it, no manga/anime would be complete without one). He struggles with his genius mind vs his feelings, he sulks and threatens when others are in his way, he teases Hikari mercilessly, and he even has trouble accepting being "friend-zoned." HOWEVER, he also shows his resolve by continually treating Hikari with the respect she deserves (outside of teasing) and being uber-protective of her (which admittedly is ONE major stereotype, but one I can forgive). In some ways, he's a typical love interest, but in others, he steps away from the stereotype. When I first began reading this series, all I could think was "this is Takuma Usui from Maid-Sama!, for gods' sake, you're not even trying!!" But as time went on, I noticed a key difference: Takishima isn't just a badass for the sake of being one, because he literally cannot help it. His photographic memory carries his legacy more than anything else, AND because of that mixed with his heritage, he's under a mountain of pressure from his father's side of the family. He isn't "tragic," per se, just far more relatable than say, Usui, or many other typical shoujo "perfect guy" types.
Of course, all seven of S.A. have their share of quirks and back stories. (I personally find Jun's to the biggest hunk of BS: an "alternative personality" via hypnosis that's NEVER been cured??? REALLY???) Oh, and on that note, it's so relieving to NOT have the main love interests be caught in a love triangle or harem. Hell, the closest existence of a love triangle centers around Akira, Yahiro, and Tadashi, and even THEN, it's resolved with Yahiro finding love elsewhere (won't say who; it's kinda shocking).
I loved all the characters and their developments. My personal favorites are Akira and Finn, though I still root for Hikari and Kei's relationship of course. All in all, this series may not be as clever and satirical as Ouran, but I still loved it. Besides, I prefer Ouran's anime, and I prefer S.A.'s manga, so there you go.
And I think that's enough rambling for one day. ^_^
January 25, 2013
Special A is a story that primarily focuses on Hikari Hanazono and her attempt to beat her childhood rival, Kei Takishima.
It all started when Hikari was six years old. Her dad taught her how to fight, and she thought that she was undefeatable. But when she challenged Kei to a fight, he beat her and practically humiliated her. Since then, she swore that she would beat him no matter what.
She enrolled in the Private Hakusen Academy with him. It's an elite, rich school that separates classes by grades. The top students in each class is in the A class, and the top seven students in the A class are in the Special A (SA) class. Hikari, Kei, and their five other friends have been in SA since they were younger, although Kei is always ranked 1 and Hikari is always ranked 2.
Let me just start out by saying Special A owns my heart. This is the best shojo manga I have EVER read. The characters captivated me, the art was breathtaking, the plot was hilarious and yet serious, the theme was so sweet and at the same time incredibly addicting.
I could compare with Hikari in so many ways, her constant joy from challenging Kei to prove that she could be just as good as him, as well as her personality of kindness to the point of stupidity. I was completely in love with her!
As for Kei... Whoa.. Don't get me started.. Talk about breathtaking, gorgeous, cocky, gentlemanly, and absolutely PERFECT. (What I wouldn't give to marry someone exactly like him...) Kei is AMAZING. He could string words together so fluently I was in love with him before the first volume was over. He managed to make me cry more then once and at the end I felt as though I was going into denial about leaving the series and the characters.I absolutely love them. This is the first manga I have seriously considered just buying so that I can always have it with me to read when I need something to do, or am looking for inspiration. The whole thing was just perfect!
The special A group made me feel so happy. I felt as though I belonged with them, even though I was only reading it. (Amazing right?). Hikari's best friend Akari was the perfect best friend, they just got along so well it was really like they should have been born sisters! As for Megumi, Ryuu, Jun, Yahiro, and Tadashi... I wish I had a group of friends like that! They all were so funny, and you could just see how much they loved each other through the way they treated each other.This isn't one of those Manga's where the characters get off putting the girl's down with cruel words, everything they said was always loving even when they were fighting.
Am I rambling on a bit?
I'm sorry its just so amazing...
Now for another favorite part... THE ROMANCE. *dies from the waves of romance radiating from the book*. I was totally swept off my feet and captured in the web of romance! IT WAS AMAZING. No love triangles and everything was so realistic. Hikari didn't have fifty boys chasing after her, and Kei wasn't turned away just because Hikari took her time realizing she was in love with him.. Okay, I really want to spoil a part so please don't kill me..
(>SPOILER<)
My favorite part of the book from Kei's perspective...
"We'll keep challenging eachother.
Everyday, forever.
Just like this."
Right then.
I knew right then.
I'd never say that to another soul.
She is the only match.
The only one for me.
(I literally started bawling my eyes out at that point. That is one of the most precious, and sweet things Ive ever heard or read!)
(End of spoiler)
And here is the best part... The whole 17 volumes were absolutely CLEAN. Isn't that down right amazing!? I love it!
Maki Minami, you are a complete genius!!!
It all started when Hikari was six years old. Her dad taught her how to fight, and she thought that she was undefeatable. But when she challenged Kei to a fight, he beat her and practically humiliated her. Since then, she swore that she would beat him no matter what.
She enrolled in the Private Hakusen Academy with him. It's an elite, rich school that separates classes by grades. The top students in each class is in the A class, and the top seven students in the A class are in the Special A (SA) class. Hikari, Kei, and their five other friends have been in SA since they were younger, although Kei is always ranked 1 and Hikari is always ranked 2.
Let me just start out by saying Special A owns my heart. This is the best shojo manga I have EVER read. The characters captivated me, the art was breathtaking, the plot was hilarious and yet serious, the theme was so sweet and at the same time incredibly addicting.
I could compare with Hikari in so many ways, her constant joy from challenging Kei to prove that she could be just as good as him, as well as her personality of kindness to the point of stupidity. I was completely in love with her!
As for Kei... Whoa.. Don't get me started.. Talk about breathtaking, gorgeous, cocky, gentlemanly, and absolutely PERFECT. (What I wouldn't give to marry someone exactly like him...) Kei is AMAZING. He could string words together so fluently I was in love with him before the first volume was over. He managed to make me cry more then once and at the end I felt as though I was going into denial about leaving the series and the characters.I absolutely love them. This is the first manga I have seriously considered just buying so that I can always have it with me to read when I need something to do, or am looking for inspiration. The whole thing was just perfect!
The special A group made me feel so happy. I felt as though I belonged with them, even though I was only reading it. (Amazing right?). Hikari's best friend Akari was the perfect best friend, they just got along so well it was really like they should have been born sisters! As for Megumi, Ryuu, Jun, Yahiro, and Tadashi... I wish I had a group of friends like that! They all were so funny, and you could just see how much they loved each other through the way they treated each other.This isn't one of those Manga's where the characters get off putting the girl's down with cruel words, everything they said was always loving even when they were fighting.
Am I rambling on a bit?
I'm sorry its just so amazing...
Now for another favorite part... THE ROMANCE. *dies from the waves of romance radiating from the book*. I was totally swept off my feet and captured in the web of romance! IT WAS AMAZING. No love triangles and everything was so realistic. Hikari didn't have fifty boys chasing after her, and Kei wasn't turned away just because Hikari took her time realizing she was in love with him.. Okay, I really want to spoil a part so please don't kill me..
(>SPOILER<)
My favorite part of the book from Kei's perspective...
"We'll keep challenging eachother.
Everyday, forever.
Just like this."
Right then.
I knew right then.
I'd never say that to another soul.
She is the only match.
The only one for me.
(I literally started bawling my eyes out at that point. That is one of the most precious, and sweet things Ive ever heard or read!)
(End of spoiler)
And here is the best part... The whole 17 volumes were absolutely CLEAN. Isn't that down right amazing!? I love it!
Maki Minami, you are a complete genius!!!
October 7, 2012
My main problem with this series is summed up by the song Love's Not A Competition (But I'm Winning).
Stupid Hikari. She's one of the worst shojo ingenue protagonists I've ever read. You're in love with him, get over it, get on with it, you don't need to beat him at everything you do together. But as shojo protagonists go, outside of that she's confident, quirky, talented, independent and determined. Thank God. Akira is the same, even if she's a totally-not-lesbian tsundere. I wish we'd seen the dere more, because Tadashi does not deserve how he's treated. Even if he likes it.
Very disappointed that the defining characteristic of this manga - KEI ALWAYS WINS - was never subverted. There must be something that he just can't do. It's ridiculous. But then I comfort myself with the knowledge that with all the near-losses it was probably just chance. And to be fair he's right when he says Hikari's achievement is greater because she has to work at it. He admires her and it's sweet and it makes a change from Perfect Handsome Rich Smartest Guy In School falling for the Dumb Cute Klutz and having to tutor her and all that cliche. Finally, of course, Hikari is better than the rest of the school anyway, so that's something. (Except Ryuu, apparently, but that doesn't matter.)
The pairing up got a bit much at times, and Jun's own particular, hilarious problem was never really resolved. Even if his girlfriend likes it. But Megumi sang and people didn't die. And there was no housewife-with-kids epilogue which so often happen to strong-willed intelligent shojo heroines. (I'm looking at you, Kare Kano.)
Though you are left doubting whether or not they will eventually manage to settle down, since it doesn't look like Hikari will ever manage to satisfy her drive to 'defeat' him.
Stupid Hikari. She's one of the worst shojo ingenue protagonists I've ever read. You're in love with him, get over it, get on with it, you don't need to beat him at everything you do together. But as shojo protagonists go, outside of that she's confident, quirky, talented, independent and determined. Thank God. Akira is the same, even if she's a totally-not-lesbian tsundere. I wish we'd seen the dere more, because Tadashi does not deserve how he's treated. Even if he likes it.
Very disappointed that the defining characteristic of this manga - KEI ALWAYS WINS - was never subverted. There must be something that he just can't do. It's ridiculous. But then I comfort myself with the knowledge that with all the near-losses it was probably just chance. And to be fair he's right when he says Hikari's achievement is greater because she has to work at it. He admires her and it's sweet and it makes a change from Perfect Handsome Rich Smartest Guy In School falling for the Dumb Cute Klutz and having to tutor her and all that cliche. Finally, of course, Hikari is better than the rest of the school anyway, so that's something. (Except Ryuu, apparently, but that doesn't matter.)
The pairing up got a bit much at times, and Jun's own particular, hilarious problem was never really resolved. Even if his girlfriend likes it. But Megumi sang and people didn't die. And there was no housewife-with-kids epilogue which so often happen to strong-willed intelligent shojo heroines. (I'm looking at you, Kare Kano.)
Though you are left doubting whether or not they will eventually manage to settle down, since it doesn't look like Hikari will ever manage to satisfy her drive to 'defeat' him.
June 3, 2013
Memberi ini bintang 5 dari volume 1 sampe 17 sebenarnya simple sih. Karena buku ini banyak kenangan banget :') saya sebenarnya bukan mau membahas isi buku ini -_-v tapi kejadian dibalik kenapa saya jadi menyukai manga yang satu ini.
Kenapa? Karena sangat-sangat mengingatkan saya pada kelas SMA saya :') Hampir mirip dengan Special A, kelas kita namanya Acceleration Class Gen 4. Kayaknya gak perlu dijelaskan lagi apa itu acceleration -_-"
Yang pasti di dalam acceleration kelas kita cuma bertujuh! Nah sama banget kan dengan manga yang satu ini.
Pertama direkomendasikan oleh Cunochan A.k.a (Dede/Nadia) katanya beh siswa AccelGen4 wajib baca cerita ini! Karena mirip dengan kita! Bedanya kebalik sih, kalau di manga ini banyakan cowok daripada cewek. Kalau dikelas kita banyakan cewek daripada cowok. AccelGen4 itu ada tujuh orang dengan dua cowok dan lima cewek. Jadilah atas saran Dede, kita cari deh. Pertama nemu Ayu tapi versi anime-nya. Nah, trus jadi gila-gilaan dikelas gara-gara Anime itu.
Kemudian nemu versi manga-nya dan Dede mulai menggambar-gambar seperti manga pengandaian kita seperti Special A.
Trus istirahat jadi ribut gara-gara pembagian karakter. Katanya AYU saya cocoknya karakternya Megumi, Trus Ayu itu Akira, Ayen itu Jun, Bunda Lia itu Tadashi, Ana itu Ryu, dan dua pemeran utama kita Yunus itu Kei dan Nadia alias Dede itu Hikari. Tapi kata DEDE dia tukaran sama Ayu jadinya Ayu yang jadi Hikari dia yang jadi Akira. Dan tejadilah perang dunia -__-!
Pokoknya katanya karakter kita mewakili mereka =)) bukan jenis kelamin ya soalnya ada yang beda -___-"
Tapi setelah saya baca ternyata benar =)) waks.
Jadi ini tuh mengingatkan banget deh sama AccelGen4... AAAAAAAAA I MISS YOU GUYS :*
Kenapa? Karena sangat-sangat mengingatkan saya pada kelas SMA saya :') Hampir mirip dengan Special A, kelas kita namanya Acceleration Class Gen 4. Kayaknya gak perlu dijelaskan lagi apa itu acceleration -_-"
Yang pasti di dalam acceleration kelas kita cuma bertujuh! Nah sama banget kan dengan manga yang satu ini.
Pertama direkomendasikan oleh Cunochan A.k.a (Dede/Nadia) katanya beh siswa AccelGen4 wajib baca cerita ini! Karena mirip dengan kita! Bedanya kebalik sih, kalau di manga ini banyakan cowok daripada cewek. Kalau dikelas kita banyakan cewek daripada cowok. AccelGen4 itu ada tujuh orang dengan dua cowok dan lima cewek. Jadilah atas saran Dede, kita cari deh. Pertama nemu Ayu tapi versi anime-nya. Nah, trus jadi gila-gilaan dikelas gara-gara Anime itu.
Kemudian nemu versi manga-nya dan Dede mulai menggambar-gambar seperti manga pengandaian kita seperti Special A.
Trus istirahat jadi ribut gara-gara pembagian karakter. Katanya AYU saya cocoknya karakternya Megumi, Trus Ayu itu Akira, Ayen itu Jun, Bunda Lia itu Tadashi, Ana itu Ryu, dan dua pemeran utama kita Yunus itu Kei dan Nadia alias Dede itu Hikari. Tapi kata DEDE dia tukaran sama Ayu jadinya Ayu yang jadi Hikari dia yang jadi Akira. Dan tejadilah perang dunia -__-!
Pokoknya katanya karakter kita mewakili mereka =)) bukan jenis kelamin ya soalnya ada yang beda -___-"
Tapi setelah saya baca ternyata benar =)) waks.
Jadi ini tuh mengingatkan banget deh sama AccelGen4... AAAAAAAAA I MISS YOU GUYS :*
April 1, 2011
REVIEW 30) Either my memory stinks or this is an extra story in the manga, S.A. is still awesome! Special A will always be one of my favorite manga/anime of ALL TIME. I'm sorry to be addicted to these things, but I am and I'm proud to say I am! I would be an otaku (if that's how you even spell it...), but my drawings are really bad, so that's not an option.
Anyway, This volume talks about how Hikari needs to move away from the S.A. Everyone is upset and they don't want Hikari to leave. Hikari, herself, doesn't even want to leave. So they have this festival, and at this time, the S.A. doesn't know that Hikari is about to leave. When they all found out though, everyone was really upset, but they wanted to make the festival the best festival that Hikari has ever had.
I don't feel like spoiling the rest because if you were reading this for the first time, I think you'll be pretty upset if I said everything. Read it to find out.
Overall,the ending was cute, the graphics are great, the story plot was well planned, and I would give thumbs up to this manga/anime series...
Anyway, This volume talks about how Hikari needs to move away from the S.A. Everyone is upset and they don't want Hikari to leave. Hikari, herself, doesn't even want to leave. So they have this festival, and at this time, the S.A. doesn't know that Hikari is about to leave. When they all found out though, everyone was really upset, but they wanted to make the festival the best festival that Hikari has ever had.
I don't feel like spoiling the rest because if you were reading this for the first time, I think you'll be pretty upset if I said everything. Read it to find out.
Overall,the ending was cute, the graphics are great, the story plot was well planned, and I would give thumbs up to this manga/anime series...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2015
Special A is shojo in the same vein as Ouran High School Host Club, though not done nearly as well. Ouran's success is due to the near-perfect parody of shojo manga, exploiting nearly every single trope from the genre, which makes the story work even at it's most bizarre and improbable moments. In S.A, the story is full of the extraordinary that though fun, doesn't have enough substance to prop up the at-times faltering story-line.
This is not to say that I didn't enjoy S.A. I absolutely did. When the story was at its best, it hit just the right notes with the romance between Hikari and Kei. At its worst, Hikari was annoyingly dense and hurtful at times, but Kei's undying devotion to her helped make up for it. The rest of the cast could have done with some deeper character development, but by the end of the story, I felt like I knew them, though they all were more static than I would have liked.
All in all, S.A is a solid shojo title, up there with other good ones such as Love*Com and High School Debut.
This is not to say that I didn't enjoy S.A. I absolutely did. When the story was at its best, it hit just the right notes with the romance between Hikari and Kei. At its worst, Hikari was annoyingly dense and hurtful at times, but Kei's undying devotion to her helped make up for it. The rest of the cast could have done with some deeper character development, but by the end of the story, I felt like I knew them, though they all were more static than I would have liked.
All in all, S.A is a solid shojo title, up there with other good ones such as Love*Com and High School Debut.
January 31, 2013
Hanazono Hikari is an intelligent student that is ranked number two in an elite school where her rival Takashima Kei also attends school. At this elite school, there is a group of intelligent children that consist of the top seven students in the school which is called Special A. This whole series of manga is about how hard Hikari tries to beat Kei but always results in failure as number two. Poor Kei has romantic feelings for Hikari, but the smartest girl in the school fails to realize his feelings. However, as she begins to get closer to him and his friends and family, she begins to develop feelings that she herself is oblivious to. All her surroundings begin to see the shy and cheesy couple that don't admit their feelings to each other. However, in the end, they both realize each other's feelings and poor Hikari NEVER BECOMES FIRST!!!
I HATED THE ENDING!!!! If they wanted to end the story, they should have AT LEAST let her won first in one thing!!!!!!
I HATED THE ENDING!!!! If they wanted to end the story, they should have AT LEAST let her won first in one thing!!!!!!
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 17:
The final exams are over and people are excited planning for the summer festival. However, it's not the same for Hikari. It's because she has to move to Kyushu because of her father's job. She tries to tell her friends about it but it's hard for her to tell them.
November 6, 2015
Well, sadly, but luckily, the manga is over. Sadly because I enjoyed this very much; it has everything a shoujo should be: it's funny, romantic, girly... Luckily because it began to be repetitive in some occasions, and at least in this last volume, it was not that funny as it used to be. It had a good closure... a bit of cliffhanger, but sweet (at least, in Jun-Sakura's, Yahiro-Megumi's, Akira-Tadashi's, Ryuu-Finn's stories). Kei-Hikari... it was nice, Kei proposing to Hikari, but I expected more. At least Hikari did not move out, and Tokiwa did. I did not like this guy very much.
But I would recommend this manga to all people who are looking good shoujos. The anime is very nice too, but not that good comparing it to the manga. I will miss SA team.
But I would recommend this manga to all people who are looking good shoujos. The anime is very nice too, but not that good comparing it to the manga. I will miss SA team.
October 9, 2015
I loved it thoroughly this was soooo much like Kaichou wa Maid-Sama!:DD
Loved Kei, cool, cute & the affection he shows towards Hikari was adorable & on the other hand Hikari, she is one amazing dense girl i have been introduced to.She is sooooo dense to the point its annoying though i enjoyed her innocence i felt bad for Kei :(((poor guy! Coming to the other characters in SA they too are equally lovable. All of the members in Special A (SA) are SPECIAL & lovable in their own ways.
Altogether this manga was absolutely hilarious, amazing & wonderful!:DDDD
Loved Kei, cool, cute & the affection he shows towards Hikari was adorable & on the other hand Hikari, she is one amazing dense girl i have been introduced to.She is sooooo dense to the point its annoying though i enjoyed her innocence i felt bad for Kei :(((poor guy! Coming to the other characters in SA they too are equally lovable. All of the members in Special A (SA) are SPECIAL & lovable in their own ways.
Altogether this manga was absolutely hilarious, amazing & wonderful!:DDDD
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.
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