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Gakuen Alice
学園アリス (Gakuen Arisu)
Demographic	Shōjo
Genre	Comedy
Manga
Author	Tachibana Higuchi
Publisher	Hakusensha
Other publishers: Tokyopop
Serialized in	Hana to Yume
Original run	19 February 2003 – ongoing
Volumes	14 (current)[1](90 chapters)
TV anime
Director	Takahiro Omori
Studio	Group TAC, Aniplex
Network	NHK BS-2
Other networks: Animax Animax (English), ABS-CBN (Tagalog) Tooniverse
Original run	30 October 2004 – 14 May 2005
Episodes	26[2]

Alice Academy (学園アリス, Gakuen Arisu^?) is a manga by Tachibana Higuchi, currently being serialized in the Hana to Yume shōjo manga magazine^[1].

It was adapted into an anime series, produced by Aniplex and Group TAC which spanned 26 episodes, originally premiered on NHK BS-2, between October 30, 2004 – May 14, 2005.

The anime was then translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network, Animax, who has broadcast it in its respective networks within Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and other regions.^[2]

Contents 1 Story 2 Setting 3 Alices 3.1 Alice Type 3.2 Alice Shape 3.3 Star-Ranking 3.4 Control Device 4 Main characters 5 Media 5.1 Tankōbon 5.2 Fanbook 5.3 CDs 5.4 Video games 6 Anime 6.1 Production 6.2 Episode list 6.3 Theme songs 7 References 8 External links

Alice Academy is the story of a 10-year old girl, Mikan Sakura, who is devastated when her best friend, Hotaru Imai, transfers to a special school for "genius" kids in Tokyo. After hearing horrible rumors of what happens in the Academy, Mikan runs away from home to seek out her dear friend, and finds that the school Hotaru transferred to, Alice Academy, is specifically for children who each have a special power called an "Alice". To Mikan's surprise, a teacher at Alice Academy, Narumi, discovers that she too has a unique Alice, leading to her admission into the school.

The story is primarily focused on Mikan and her experiences at the Academy, from the everyday bore of classes and exams, to the unexpected clashes with the Anti-Alice Organization (AAO). Despite her initial view of the so-called greatness of the school, Mikan slowly finds out that beneath the grand facade of the Academy lies a never ending stream of lies and deception.

Also, Mikan meets a boy named Natsume, whom she initially hates from the very start of the story, but would eventually start to like. And in turn he begins to form an interest in her. Along with the many friends she comes to make, including Natsume's best friend, Ruka Nogi, and the class representative, Yū Tobita a.k.a. Iinchō, Mikan comes to love the Academy and its teachers despite the truth that is built upon half-truths and lies. The story is primarily showing how if you believe in something it will happen and in the case of Mikan she changes the harsh world of the Academy for the better.

The Alice Academy is located somewhere in Tokyo (in the Anime it is across from a huge gorilla billboard.) The size of the school grounds resembles the dimensions of a sprawling estate. The grounds are enough to contain three levels of education (elementary, junior high, senior high) along with a Hospital, the Main Building, and the Central Town, where shops managed by Alice-bearing artisans sell goods that came about with the help of their Alices.

In the anime, the Academy has its own monetary system, the Rabbit (Rt). One Rabbit equals 100 yen. However, in the manga, the Academy uses yen as their primary currency. There are four forests surrounding the estate, the most visited one in the manga version being the Northern Woods where the infamous "Mr. Bear" resides.

Communication is limited in the Academy. Even letter-sending is limited to only once in a long time. The reason: because of their abilities, children with Alices are prime and lucrative targets for kidnappers and slave traders. Escapees are deterred by concentration camp-style barriers (like heavy security and electrified fences).

However, honor students and those getting the highest exam scores have the privilege of going home and visit some of their relatives for one week. Topnotch students in the Final Examinations get other perks as well, like free meal tickets and certifications, and money as well as a week-long leave.

1. Latent Type- Most students at the school are in this class. Alices here are the most traditional, or better known as super powers. It's the most normal class and students here are of the serious type. An example would be the Illusion Alice.
2. Technical Type- Just like its name, any experiment can create an Alice level. The Alices in this type are based on technology and research fields. Most students are involved in their individual works, so it's the quietest class. An example would be the Chemistry Alice.
3. Somatic Type- This type is not filled with inventions or practice unlike other classes. The Somatic Alices are based on the body of humans, animals, and other living things. An example would be the Animal Pheromone Alice.
4. Special Ability- Basically, this class is for students with Alices that don't exactly fit in any of the other three classes. Their powers are different and the class is mixed. The specialty of the class can be described as chaotic or peculiar. Some of the rarest Alices belong to this class. Some examples include the Doppelganger Alice, Shadow Manipulation Alice, and Nullification Alice.
5. Dangerous Ability- This is considered to be an extra type. The Alices in this category may be classified under one of the above types, but some characteristics make them dangerous to the school. This class is very different from all the others and could also be described as an occult.

Every Alice is categorized as one of four shapes, which specify how much of it can be used and how often.

1. Childhood: The Alice slowly appears and disappears as the child with it grows into an adult.
2. Diffuse: The Alice is always available, but at a relatively low power level.
3. Intermittent: The Alice can only be used for a short period at any time, but at a relatively high power level.
4. Limitless: The Alice can be used as often and as much as desired, but each use impacts against the user's own life and can kill them if overused.

A star-ranking is the evaluation system that the Academy uses to judge a student's Alice level and attitude. There are four rankings which are indicated by the number of gold stars on a student's collar.

1. No-Star: Students who are below-average. This is mainly reserved for children.
2. Single: Students who are pretty much average. Most of the students in the Elementary Division have this rank.
3. Double: Students who are more of an over-achiever than Singles but aren't exceptionally brilliant at either their studies or use of their Alice.
4. Triple: Students who usually are deemed as "over-achievers" and tend to excel at either their studies or use of Alice or both.
5. Special: Students who are considered the best of the best, signified by a lapel in the shape of a star enclosed in a circle (though rarely seen in the anime). Those who excel tremendously in their Alice and, if they care, their studies--to put in short, geniuses. Also known as the "Principal students."

Each star ranking has its own monthly allowance rate.

1. No-Star: 5 Rabbits: (500yen)
2. Single: 30 Rabbits: (3000 yen)
3. Double: 50 Rabbits: (5000 yen)
4. Triple: 100 Rabbits: (10,000 yen)
5. Special: 300 Rabbits: (30,000 yen)

There are specially design prevention devices made for a particular person. There are numerous devices worn on the head, hand, and such that can emit tracking signals. Each kind has sealing abilities (the locking away of Alice within the device). There are also control devices for punishment purposes like the Cat Mask.

Main article: List of Alice Academy characters

Names are displayed in Western order (given name before surname).

Mikan Sakura (佐倉蜜柑, Sakura Mikan^?) Voiced by: Kana Ueda

Mikan is the protagonist of the story. She is an energetic, good-natured girl, but is very clumsy. She has been friends with Hotaru since second grade, so when Hotaru left to the Alice Academy she became really depressed and decided to leave her grandfather and her home to go after Hotaru. She was then accepted to Alice Academy by Narumi-sensei and could attend Alice Academy with Hotaru and other children with extraordinary powers. Her "Alice" is nullification the Alice of others, which is the reason why the Academy administration keeps an eye on her.

Hotaru Imai (今井 蛍, Imai Hotaru^?) Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya

Hotaru Imai is Mikan's best friend. She is extremely intelligent and rational. During the story, though she may appear to be rather cold and indifferent on the surface, it is apparent that she genuinely cares for Mikan. She has the Alice of Invention, and during her time at the country with Mikan and her grandfather, she created many strange but useful inventions, often made to look like animals. She knows that Ruka has a crush on Mikan. She also knows who Mikan likes. Hotaru breaks the fourth wall by teaching the audience about her inventions. The other characters see her explaining her inventions to apparently no one.

Natsume Hyūga (日向 棗, Hyūga Natsume^?) Voiced by: Romi Paku

Natsume is a child prodigy with the Flame Alice, and because of this is classified in the "dangerous abilities" class. It is also implied that he is used by adults in the school because of his ability, which results in his hatred for the academy and mistrust of the staff. While he is generally moody and silent, he maintains a very close friendship with Ruka Nogi and is both protective and kind in regard to him. Natsume also seems to form a crush on Mikan, who was designated as his partner by their homeroom teacher Narumi, and gets jealous of guys who act too close with her. He is the only one who has a Special Star Ranking in his class.

Ruka Nogi (乃木流架, Nogi Ruka^?) Voiced by: Miwa Yasuda

Ruka is Natsume's childhood friend and often referred by Mikan throughout the story as "Ruka-pyon". He is a gentle and generous person, characteristics that balance out Natsume's personality. His animal pheromone Alice allows him to get crazy with animals, a fact that he is embarrassed and often blackmailed over. Despite this, he often carries a rabbit with him. He knows Natsume (his best friend) has a crush on Mikan, and he also has a crush on her. In episode 19, Ruka plays Snow White in a play and Mikan was forced to play the prince. But at the very end, her teacher told her to improvise and kiss him on the lips, just when they were about to kiss Natsume threw an apple at Mikan.

Narumi (鳴海, Narumi^?) Voiced by: Akira Ishida

Narumi is the homeroom teacher of Mikan's class (class B). He teaches Japanese and often deals with Natsume when he gets in trouble or tries to break out. He has the human pheromone Alice; he can make older people do what he wants by attracting them, but children pass out. Mikan calls Narumi "father" because she misses her grandfather so much. Narumi is too young to be called "grandfather" so he asked Mikan to call him "father." Later in the manga, it is found that he harbored unrequited feelings for Mikan's mother. It is proven that he is not Mikan's father, but he made a promise to Mikan's mother that he will take care of Mikan during her stay in the Academy. He is of course, concerned about Mikan and Natsume.

Note: The ISBN below refers to the Japanese edition.

• Volume 1 - ISBN 9784592172451, Release date: February, 2003
• Volume 2 - ISBN 9784592172468, Release date: July, 2003
• Volume 3 - ISBN 9784592172475, Release date: November, 2003
• Volume 4 - ISBN 9784592180913, Release date: March, 2004
• Volume 5 - ISBN 9784592180920, Release date: July, 2004
• Volume 6 - ISBN 9784592180937, Release date: November, 2004
• Volume 7 - ISBN 9784592180944, Release date: March, 2005
• Volume 8 - ISBN 9784592180951, Release date: August, 2005
• Volume 9 - ISBN 9784592180968, Release date: December, 2005
• Volume 10 - ISBN 9784592180975, Release date: April, 2006
• Volume 11 - ISBN 9784592180982, Release date: September, 2006
• Volume 12 - ISBN 9784592180999, Release date: December, 2006
• Volume 13 - ISBN 9784592181002, Release date: May, 2007
• Volume 14 - ISBN 9784592185208, Release date: September 19, 2007

Gakuen Alice has been licensed by Tokyopop. It's first volume is set to be released in December 2007.

An official fanbook was recently published in May 2007.^[3] There was also a special fanbook titled Pika Pika SP Fanbook released as a furoku in Hana to Yume magazine.

A soundtrack for the series has been released on March 2, 2005.^[3] A single of the opening theme and ending theme were also released.^[4]

Drama CDs

Three drama CDs were broadcasted on a web radio and then were first released together in one CD, as a furoku in Hana to Yume magazine in 2006. Later on, they were released separately.^[5][6][7]

Gakuen Alice ~Kira Kira Memory Kiss~ was released on 22 June 2006 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. There is also a Game Boy Advance game that has also only been released in Japan called Gakuen Alice ~Doki Doki Fushigi Taiken~. In April 19, 2007 a Nintendo DS game called Gakuen Alice: Waku Waku Happy Friends was released in Japan.

Staff

• Main director: Takahiro Omori
• Series Composition: Masashi Yokoyama
• Script: Jukki Hanada, Masashi Yokoyama, Michiru Shimada
• Storyboard: Atsushi Matsumoto, Atsushi Takada, Hidehito Ueda, Katsuyoshi Yatabe, Kentaro Nakamura, Kiyotaka Ohata, Shinichi Watanabe, Takahiro Omori, Yukihiro Matsushita, Yuzo Aoki
• Episode Director: Atsushi Matsumoto, Atsushi Takada, Daisuke Chiba, Katsuyoshi Yatabe, Ken Katou, Kiyotaka Ohata, Kyosuke Mikuriya, Mamoru Enomoto, Shinichi Watanabe, Yukio Okazaki
• Music: Makoto Yoshimori
• Original creator: Tachibana Higuchi
• Character design: Yoshiaki Itō
• Art director: Yoshinori Hishinuma
• Animation director: Akihito Dobashi, Haruo Ogawara, Hideaki Shimada, Hiroki Abe, Hiroyuki Shimizu, Hisashi Mitsui, Kei Takeuchi, Kinomi Sakurai, Masakazu Ishikawa, Noritomo Hattori, Takuji Yoshimoto, Toyoaki Fukushima, Yoshihiro Sugai
• Background: GREEN
• Color design: Shigenobu Kaihou
• Sound director: Yoshikazu Iwanami

1. Our School Will Be Gone
2. Welcome to Alice Academy
3. I Won't Let Alice Get to Me
4. This is My Alice
5. The Star-Class is Tough
6. Am I an Outcast Type?
7. I Won't Lose the Alice Dodgeball
8. I Miss Grandpa
9. I Love You, Hotaru
10. How Exciting, Central Town
11. Alice, I'm in Special Training
12. The School Festival is Here
13. Go After the Superstar
14. Let's Bring Natsume Back
15. Let's Go Back to the Academy
16. Imagine the Maze, the Magic Lamp
17. Hotaru's Secret
18. Just the Two of Us, in the Dark
19. Raise the Curtain, Snow White Sleeping Beauty
20. Who Will Have the Last Dance?
21. Aim for the Honor Student Award
22. Mr. Bear and the Prince
23. The Circus is Here
24. Mr. Narumi's Lies
25. Let's Bring Back the Academy
26. Friendship is Forever

Opening themes
#	Transcription/Translation	Performed by	Episodes
	Pikapika no Taiyou	Kana Ueda	All
Ending themes
#	Transcription/Translation	Performed by	Episodes
	Shiawase no Niji	Kana Ueda and Rie Kugimiya	All [2]

• Aniplex's official website for Gakuen Alice (Japanese)
• NHK's official website on Gakuen Alice (Japanese)
• Animax East Asia's official website for Alice Academy (English)
• Animax South Asia's official website for Alice Academy (English)
• Official Gakuen Alice ~Kira Kira Memory Kiss~ Playstation 2 Game Homepage (Japanese)
• Enoki Films USA official website for Alice Academy (English)