Special A Review: She Has Been Second to Him Her Entire Life and Has Never Noticed She Loves Him
by Maki Minami
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Quick Take
- Hikari refuses to accept she's second at anything and refuses to accept she loves Kei — the comedy of maximum obliviousness sustained with genuine affection
- One of Hakusensha's classic elite-school romance manga, with a warm ensemble
- 17 volumes, complete, with an ending that delivers on the setup's promise
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who enjoy oblivious-heroine comedy done with genuine warmth
- Fans of elite school settings with ensemble romantic subplots
- Anyone who wants shojo romance that is primarily comic rather than dramatic
- Readers who want a complete series with a satisfying payoff
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Mild romantic content, elite family power dynamics in some arcs
Fully accessible.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★★ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Hikari Hanazono has been number two to Kei Takishima for her entire life. After losing to him in wrestling as a child, she enrolled in his elite school to beat him. She is first in every competition she enters — except the ones with Kei. He is always first.
The Special A class is the top seven students, a greenhouse world of exceptional people. Hikari's dedication to surpassing Kei is so complete that it has consumed her ability to notice she might love him.
Kei has been in love with Hikari for years. He tells her, at various points, in ways she doesn't register. The comedy is sustained by Hikari's absolute sincerity.
Characters
Hikari Hanazono — Physically capable, academically excellent, completely sincere in everything she does, and constitutionally unable to correctly categorize her own feelings. Her obliviousness is consistent and affectionate rather than frustrating.
Kei Takishima — Cold to everyone except Hikari; his patience and his specific ways of expressing what he feels to someone who doesn't receive them properly is the series' core comedy.
The SA Class — Six other students with their own romantic subplots; the ensemble provides variety and warmth.
Art Style
Minami's art is clean and expressive — Hikari's determination face is the series' most consistent visual joke, and the elite school settings are drawn with appropriate grandeur. Character designs are appealing and distinctive within the ensemble.
Cultural Context
Special A operates in the tradition of Hakusensha elite-school shojo — a lineage that includes Ouran Host Club — where extreme wealth and privilege are the backdrop for comedy that takes the characters' feelings completely seriously. The power dynamics of the Takishima family providing obstacles in later volumes connect to real Japanese business family aesthetics.
What I Love About It
Kei saying the same thing in different ways and Hikari understanding it differently each time. The comedy is about a person who has a complete emotional world that she simply does not apply the word "love" to correctly. Watching someone's feelings be accurate and their labeling be completely wrong is funnier than a typical misunderstanding because it's consistent with her character.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers who grew up with the VIZ publication cite Special A with affection as one of the defining shojo comedy romances of its era. Hikari's obliviousness generates both fondness and exasperation in equal measure, and fans debate whether the comedy extends too long before Hikari understands. The ensemble subplots are generally considered a strength.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The moment Hikari finally understands what she feels — not because someone explains it, but because a specific situation makes it impossible to misread — is built up so carefully across 17 volumes that when it arrives, even readers who could see it coming feel it.
Similar Manga
- Maid Sama! — Similar dynamic, strong female lead, complete
- Ouran Host Club — Elite school, comedy romance, ensemble
- Skip Beat! — Capable female protagonist, industry setting
- Kaichou wa Maid-sama — Same dynamic, similar warmth
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — the childhood rivalry and current situation establish in the first chapter.
Official English Translation Status
VIZ Media published the complete 17-volume series. All volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 17 volumes, complete
- Hikari's obliviousness is consistent and charming rather than frustrating
- Ensemble subplots add variety
- The ending delivers what was promised
Cons
- The obliviousness comedy can feel extended in the middle volumes
- Limited story depth beyond the comedy romance premise
- Some elite family obstacle arcs slow the central dynamic
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | VIZ Media; standard |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Special A Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.