The Tale Of The Blue Wolf

This is hands down the funniest manga I've come across so far. The protagonist may be incredibly dense, but her noble and kind-hearted nature makes her likable in a way that many other female leads aren't. As for the male lead, though he might seem almost too perfect at first glance, he does possess some believable flaws that add depth to his character. While some of their abilities stretch the bounds of reality, they're often used for comedic effect, which makes them easy to overlook. What I also appreciate about this series is that it doesn't revolve entirely around the romance between the main characters. The author takes time to explore the budding relationships of their friends, an element that's frequently neglected in shojo manga. This adds variety and keeps the story engaging, making it feel more grounded in reality—after all, our friends have love lives too.

Some readers might find Hikari unrealistic, but anyone who has ever been consumed by schoolwork or driven by ambition can probably relate to her on some level. Love, much like anything else, is something that needs to be learned and experienced. That’s why I think this manga serves as a wonderful coming-of-age tale. It captures what it's like for a teenage girl who wasn’t actively seeking romance and how she navigates it once it enters her life. And let’s not forget the humor! With stick-figure drawings and unexpected plot twists that leave characters utterly baffled (and with priceless expressions), you're bound to laugh out loud while reading this series.

That said, I do wish the story had gone on a bit longer. In my opinion, Maki could have fast-forwarded in the final chapters to give us glimpses into the characters' lives post-high school. We never stop growing, and seeing how these characters would mature into adults would have added another layer of satisfaction. Additionally, there were moments where the characters felt somewhat underdeveloped, pulling me out of the narrative and reminding me that I was reading fiction. It seems like Maki occasionally prioritized the comedy over deepening the characters’ personalities.

Despite these minor drawbacks, this manga will always hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I'm feeling down or lonely, I know I can turn to it for a pick-me-up. Its lightheartedness and humor consistently lift my spirits and remind me of the joy in simple, wholesome stories.<p>

I stumbled upon a copy of SA during a random manga shopping spree, and while I wasn't sure about it initially, the premise seemed intriguing enough to give it a try.  
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I'm so glad I did. That was back in February 2008, and now SA has risen to become my all-time favorite manga. It begins like your typical shoujo, but as I delved deeper, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adored both the story and the characters. The writing is exceptional, every chapter is engaging, and its re-read appeal is incredibly high for me. Needless to say, I've revisited it numerous times with increasing obsession!  
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Generally, I struggle to get into shoujo manga. While I may read them, the repetitive clichés and overused plot devices make me feel like many artists are merely borrowing from one another to showcase their art, leaving the stories feeling hollow. SA stood out for me. What captivated me was how it diverges from the norm of the female lead instantly falling for the male protagonist. But that's not the only way it differs—SA distinguishes itself in various ways. There's an extensive cast, and Maki Minami ensures each character gets their moment in the spotlight with their own narratives. I truly appreciated this balanced approach rather than having everything solely revolve around Hikari and Kei all the time.  
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Regarding the art, I wasn't a fan at first. While it does have standout moments, it lacks the stunning beauty that artists like Arina Tanemura deliver. However, the quality of the story far surpasses any need for consistently breathtaking visuals. Over time, I've developed a fondness for Minami's artwork because of how much I cherish SA—it doesn't need to be flawless. (Though I must admit, I'm guilty of purchasing manga purely for its beautiful artwork.)  
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Hikari is an incredible shoujo heroine. Her hilariously absurd antics never fail to crack me up, which adds to the charm of her relationship with Kei. Their dynamic is endlessly entertaining!  
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Currently, I'm thoroughly enjoying SA and eagerly anticipating future chapters to see what unexpected twists Maki Minami has in store. I wholeheartedly recommend this manga (though I'd lean more toward the manga over the anime, as the manga is significantly longer and superior in my opinion) to anyone who enjoys romance or simply seeks a delightful story with characters you can easily grow attached to.

Ahahaha xD! It shocked me when I realized I hadn't written a review for a manga that consumed 80% of my lonely high school life and also introduced me to the world of manga.

Note: This review will contain personal bias xD

So, I grew up with anime as my sibling, but my entry into the world of reading manga came later, during the middle school to high school transition period. I had seen AMVs of this anime on YouTube and decided to watch it, and guess what? I loved it. After discovering it had a manga with ninety-nine chapters, I knew I had to read it.

I'm well aware that by this time, your average shoujo category is filled with over-the-top characters and the stereotypical "Perverted-but-secretly-nice-and-terribly-perfect-good-looking-Prince-desu!" guy and the "AVERAGE" girl who somehow ends up winning his heart and bla bla bla~

But SA is... different.
Different to me at least, because of the following (not exhaustive) points:

1. The female protagonist isn't a doki-doki idiot.
2. The guy falls in love first.
3. The girl is so horribly dense that it's kinda frustrating but that's one of her most attractive traits (in the context of SA, at least).
4. The comedy is hilarious, tbh.
5. The storyline is unique compared to most other shoujo manga out there.

I'll keep my review rubric as short as possible:

Storyline: 10
I actually really, really like the storyline. It's refreshing to see, even after all these years, a setting and atmosphere in SA that's different from your usual typical shoujo manga. I like the competition and Hikari's perpetual death-wish to beat Kei in everything that happens. It's cute. SA is not supposed to be realistic, but more entertainment, and it pulls that off successfully.

Art: 10
I always find Minami Maki's art appealing to me; I don't know why, but I like it a lot. Maybe because it's slightly different from the style you see a lot around these days. But it's like that for a few mangaka - you immediately recognize their art style on seeing just a single panel even though there's no caption to indicate what manga it is and from who. Minami Maki's one of those artists.

Characters: 10
These days I'm highly picky. During my high school days, I used to be liberal in watching and reading whatever I could, and hell, I'll admit that shoujo used to be "THE" thing for me because... hey, I was 15 and wanted to have a high school life as entertaining as these female protagonists I kept reading about. Since I'm really choosy in what I watch and read these days, I make it a point to only give a try to those things that I find TRULY worth it. However, with SA, though having read it years ago, I still feel that the characters are honestly some of the most entertaining people in manga ever. I don't want to dig too deep into how realistic it is, because SA is not supposed to be realistic! Hikari, Kei, and the others are all truly colorful, hilarious, and MASSIVELY entertaining.

Overall: 10
For me, this manga brings back a lot of nostalgia. Not only did I enjoy it a lot, but it made me appreciate the work that goes into making a story using pen, ink, paper, and a lot of effort and time. I have a LOT of personal bias in saying I love this anime, but hey, who doesn't? In SA, you have ninety-nine chapters of entertainment to get through, and it does a GOOD job of keeping you busy and engaged. Also, since it's slice-of-life, shoujo, and mostly just pure fun, you can go back years later and read it all again from scratch and STILL enjoy it. You know what? I think I'm going to read it again now.

Thank you for reading!

Special A is undoubtedly one of the top shoujo mangas I've ever read. When it comes to stories centered around school, romance, and friendship, this one stands out as a masterpiece. While I understand it may not appeal to everyone's taste, I strongly believe it's too exceptional to overlook.

STORY: 9/10  
Although there were occasional slow or less engaging parts, the narrative never lost its charm. The storyline flows effortlessly, maintaining your interest throughout. It does become somewhat repetitive towards the end, but there are plenty of delightful and touching moments that make up for it. Naturally, opinions may vary, but personally, I found the story quite captivating. Additionally, the mood remains consistent, and the mangaka excels in crafting original plot elements with minimal clichés.

ART: 10/10  
The artwork is impeccable, leaving me with no complaints whatsoever. Hikari's chibi form ranks among the cutest I've encountered, while Kei and the rest of the cast are equally visually appealing. Megumi's character design is particularly well-executed. The backgrounds complement the visuals beautifully, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

CHARACTERS: 10/10  
Hikari and Kei have secured their place as two of my all-time favorite characters. Their development kept me deeply invested in the story. Rarely have I come across a narrative where both protagonists resonate so profoundly. While the supporting characters were decent and arguably better portrayed in the anime adaptation, they still contributed significantly to the manga's success.

ENJOYMENT: 10/10  
Ultimately, enjoyment is the key factor in evaluating any manga, and Special A delivers exceptionally well. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience, blending romance, friendship, and humor seamlessly.

OVERALL: 10/10  
I highly recommend Special A to fans of the shoujo genre! This manga deserves greater recognition and appreciation than it currently receives.

<p>Special A is a standard shojo rom-com featuring a clueless female lead, which might get on some readers' nerves. However, the manga compensates for this with a great cast of characters, each boasting distinct personalities. The comedy is entertaining, though not laugh-out-loud funny. The art style is typical of the shojo genre, so there's nothing particularly outstanding about it. Yet, despite these shortcomings, I found myself enjoying it quite a bit, so I imagine you could too. My only advice is that if you've read a lot of shojo manga, it may be challenging to fully appreciate this one, as I'd rate it as average compared to others in the genre. ^^</p>

I first watched the anime, so I didn't even know there was a corresponding manga for Special A. After finishing the anime, I discovered its manga and had a "HUGE" revelation!  

For me, the manga is far more EXCITING! Didn't you notice? There are plenty of enjoyable and thrilling scenes and events in the manga that didn't make it into the anime, which felt like a bit of a "FAIL" to me. The only scenes that appeared in the anime were the essential ones needed to keep the story flowing and moving forward. Got it? :) But no worries! It doesn't matter—I genuinely enjoyed both the anime and the manga! Whenever I watch the anime, I prefer to do so alone because I tend to make funny sounds (giggle!) while watching, especially during the romantic scenes. And of course, I absolutely LOVE JEALOUS KEI's illustrations in the manga! So much! Waahhhh!! *scream!* Especially the part where Tokiwa enters a contest and uses Hikari as her model (she's so kawaii)!  

(Sorry for the spoiler! *sorry!!!*)  

By the way, the story was nice overall, but a little predictable. The art was great but slightly mature and a bit challenging to read at times. However, I adore how "smiling Hikari" and "jealous Kei" are drawn—those emotions feel so realistic! I scored it a 9, though I'm not entirely sure why—I felt a little unsatisfied. The enjoyment, though, was OUTSTANDING!!! I really loved it a ton!! SUPER ENJOYABLE!!! But overall, I gave it a 9 because something felt missing, maybe it was the ending? (I'm somewhat content with it.)  

P.S. Did you notice that it's somewhat similar to an anime called Kaichou wa Maid-sama? Familiar with this one?? o.O??  

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Special A represents, for me, the quintessential average shoujo series.

Characters:

We meet Hikari, a female lead who initially stands out with her wide-eyed innocence and fervent ambition to surpass her eternal rival, Takishima Kei. Hikari embodies fighting spirit, a trait often missing in contemporary shoujo heroines. However, her density becomes increasingly pronounced as the manga unfolds, much to my dismay. A key premise is that the students in the SA class are the elite within an already prestigious school for the affluent. While we're more told than shown their high intelligence—evidenced by their top exam scores—they frequently falter in real-life comprehension. What was once charming about Hikari grows tiresome across several volumes of Special A. Beyond Hikari, the rest of the cast comprises fairly standard archetypes. Kei appeals with his smirking bishounen charm but ultimately lacks depth. Maki employs other characters primarily to extend the series, introducing multiple couples until almost no one remains single. Even Yahiro, initially an antagonist, is reduced to an underdeveloped love interest for Megumi. In the end, the characters feel insufficiently developed despite the manga's length.

Story:

This too epitomizes an average shoujo narrative. A pure-hearted girl attends a wealthy school, oblivious to her long-time rival's affection. Misunderstandings and antics ensue as they navigate their feelings for each other. Expect numerous competitions where Hikari consistently ranks second to Kei's first—a recurring gag. Special A leans toward melodrama while heavily relying on comedy. Many absurd situations require suspending disbelief to enjoy. I found some humor in the slapstick elements during various competitions. However, later volumes introduce forced plot twists. For instance, the Finn subplot—where Hikari discovers "Prince" Finn is actually a girl and faces imprisonment for revealing the secret—feels gratuitous and implausible. Here, an absurd scenario serves drama rather than light-hearted comedy, lacking believability. Several arcs could have been omitted without losing much value. If Minami Maki had streamlined the series by excising clunky subplots, it might have been more enjoyable. As it stands, Special A drags on, repeating jokes, conflicts, and interactions between Hikari and Kei. By its conclusion, I felt unfulfilled and slightly disappointed that a once-enjoyable manga had grown stale and repetitive.

Art:

Minami Maki's art is serviceable but unremarkable. Her character designs often lack distinction, though this isn't necessarily a flaw. I'm grateful she avoids the exaggerated eye style popularized by another renowned mangaka. Backgrounds rarely stand out, but to her credit, the stick figure drawings used for comedic effect are genuinely amusing. She skillfully employs simple sketches for slapstick humor.

Overall:

At its peak, this manga offers mild amusement and heartwarming moments characteristic of classic shoujo fare. At its lowest, it feels redundant, silly, and overly clichéd. Special A begins as a fun series but runs out of steam and ideas well before its conclusion. It's neither exceptional nor particularly poor in terms of art, story, or characters. If you seek a lighthearted shoujo series and can overlook some banality, this is worth considering. However, if you prefer something more substantial and semi-realistic, opt for NANA or Honey and Clover instead.

For the record, I don't view a score of 5 as negative; rather, it reflects mediocrity as intended.

Ok, let's explain my points a bit:  

Story...  
The story is one I hadn't encountered in either manga or anime yet. It keeps on amazing me with what unfolds, and it never grows old.  

Art...  
Perfection might be unattainable, but this art style is more than satisfactory.  

Characters...  
The way the characters develop is impressive, though we still need to see more from several of them. So far, it has mostly revolved around Hikari and Kei. Even when they discuss someone else's past, it often ties back to Hikari or Kei (usually both).  

Enjoyment...  
It will make you laugh.  
It will make you say: "Aww, so cute," "Aww, so nice," and more along those lines.  
It will also make you question whether you've studied enough and what constitutes a decent grade these days (seriously, it does).  

Overall...  
This is one of those series that I never tire of. I've read other works by this author, and this one stands out as the best (not that he has many—more like one or two, but still).  
If you like or don't like this style, I don't care; just give it a try. It's unique! ^_^