S.A (Special A), Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Maki Minami (Author, Illustrator), Nancy Thistlethwaite (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2007

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This competition manga reinforces traditional gender stereotypes under the guise of school comedy. Hikari has been obsessed with besting fellow student Kei ever since Kei beat her at wrestling when they were six, her first-ever defeat. They're both the best of the best at their exclusive school, but Hikari's eternally #2 to his #1. It's a familiar setup told through lots of closeups, carried by the artist's skill in capturing realistic expressions. The work's serial nature is evident in the reintroduction of the characters at the beginning of every chapter, but it's helpful to keep the various overachievers straight for the reader, although the supporting cast characterization is told, not shown. While the others have elite backgrounds and innate talents, Hikari continues to believe hard work is the only way to succeed, even when her determination loses to Kei's natural gift of a perfect memory. Hikari's defeats are supposedly mitigated by Kei's affection for her. Hikari must learn that no matter how hard she tries, a girl can't beat a boy. Kei's interest is held out as a kind of consolation prize, while the girl who goes after the guy she wants is a figure of ridicule, needing to be taught her place. (Nov)
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About the Author

Maki Minami is from Saitama prefecture in Japan. She debuted in 2001 with Kanata no Ao (Faraway Blue). Her other works include Kimi wa Girlfriend (You're My Girlfriend), Mainichi ga Takaramono (Every Day Is a Treasure) and Yuki Atataka (Warm Winter). Special A is her current series in Japan's Hana to Yume magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (November 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421513757
• ISBN-13: 978-1421513751
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Shojo, January 19, 2008

By 

Kalena (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: S.A (Special A), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Maniac shojo fan here who just wants to say this is one of the best of the best manga's so far that I have read. It fits up there with Fruits Basket, Fushigi Yugi, Kare Kano, Ouran High School, and Full Moon. Basic love story like Kare Kano where girl is always #2 and boy is always #1 so ultimately she wants to beat him no matter what. Of course he is head over heels in love with her and she seems to be totally clueless which makes for some hiliarious moments to be sure. I highly recommend this series!! (^.^)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The first manga I ever gave up on., July 24, 2010

By 

The Review-ru - See all my reviews

This review is from: S.A (Special A), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Exactly the reason I dislike Shojo Beat, generally. I stopped after Volume 2.
A lot of chapter time in this book was wasted on recounting the SAME. EXACT. DETAILS. That they tell you right in the beginning of the book! Every time! They go over the characters, what the school is, the main character, which boy she hates and why she's here. I read it once and I still remember everything.
Very cliche- the girl is hard-core and hates this boy, but he's annoying and has a mini crush on her and you just KNOW they'll fall in love.
Except the characters' names. Right from the start, there were too many characters with confusing names. You KNOW you have to remember them because you KNOW they'll be important later on- after all, there are over 10 volumes in S.A.- but it wasn't worth the trouble. I got a little fed up and I won't be continuing with this.
It's all about how I knew things would come- things that I didn't even want to bother finding out in over 10 volumes.
Maybe you'll like it?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The anime is better, January 24, 2009

By 

Stinkerz Bell - See all my reviews

This review is from: S.A (Special A), Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Don't get me wrong, I love Special A and everyone in it, but the manga is confusing to read, and hard to follow. I ended up watching the anime, and loved it a billion times better. If, like me, you find the manga version too confusing, please try the anime. It's very very very hilarious, I started rolling on the ground from laughing. But very moving, too. SA rocks <3