Title

S.A: Special A

Also known as: Special A, Ｓ・Ａ　スペシャル・エー, S.A., S・A, SA, S A

by Maki Minami

Score from AniList: 74/100finished17 volumes104 chapters

Comedy Drama Romance More like S.A: Special A

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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. (Source: VIZ Media) Included one-shots: Volume 1: Mikansei Chorus Volume 11: Shoku no Miyako (Food Paradise) Included specials: - Vol.8 Special Short; The Hana to Yume 2006-09 The short is about what Kei was like as a child, and when he and Hikari first met. - Vol.9 Special Short; The Hana to Yume 2007-01 The short is about when Yuhiro meets Sakura. - Vol.16 Special Chapter; The Hana to Yume 2008-05 The chapter is about Hikari and Kei's middle school days.

Chapters available: 104
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A girl who lost a childhood wrestling match to the same boy joins an elite class to get her revenge, in a bright, sharp shoujo rivalry that grows into a romcom.

Pros

Strong, competitive rivalry at the heart
Lively ensemble of elite students
Sharp tsundere comedy with good timing

Cons

Romance beats follow familiar paths
Rivalry-turned-romance can feel predictable

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Read the full take

A girl who has been determined to beat her school rival since losing to him in a childhood match joins an elite class of top students to get her chance. He has always come out on top, no matter what. The premise is a rivalry-driven school romcom with a big, bold heart.The strongest element is the rivalry. The lead's stubborn competitiveness gives every interaction a spark, and the elite-class setting gives the cast room to shine. The comedy lands sharply, especially in the tsundere exchanges.The weakness is predictability. Rivalry-turned-romance follows well-worn paths, and some romantic turns are easy to anticipate. The supporting cast is lively but not always fully developed.If you enjoy competitive school romcoms with a feisty heroine, it is a fun pick. It is energetic and clever. Expect school-wide rivalries, sharp banter and a girl whose drive to win turns into something else.