Mikan Sakura



"Cheerful and energetic. Forgets her worries quickly and dependent on others. That's the image I had in mind when I created her."

- Tachibana Higuchi

Mikan Sakura (Sakura Mikan 佐倉 蜜柑?), or more appropriately,Mikan Yukihira is the female protagonist of Gakuen Alice, who posses three very unique Alices--the Nullification, Stealing, and Insertion Alices. Her story begins after she follows her best friendHotaru Imai to a place called Alice Academy--a Tokyo school supposedly exclusive for geniuses of Hotaru's caliber. There she finds out the truth about the academy, and as she was enrolled afterwards, the truth about herself. Aside from being Hotaru's best friend, she also goes on to become the love interest of Natsume Hyūga. Mikan is voiced by Kana Ueda, with a strong Kansai dialect.

Appearance
She is an optimistic, cute, athletic, and good-nature girl, but her clumsiness lands her into trouble. She is a cheerful and energetic person, much to the annoyance of her mellow-headed best friend, Hotaru, and used to live with her adoptive grandfather in the country before transferring to Alice Academy. Mikan was ten when she debuted. Petite and average in height,  Mikan's most prominent features are her big brown eyes (often depicted as amber or olive) and a heart-shape faced with a small nose, very similar to her mother, Yuka Azumi. She usually sports her long brown locks in two pig tails, with the tips curling naturally, although she changes this from time to time, often to match with the occasion at present.

Mikan is said to be her mother's splitting image, especially in the instances when she lets her hair down. The only difference, however, are Mikan's fringes that split in the middle, reminiscent of her father's, Izumi Yukihira, hairstyle.

Mikan is usually seen donning the standard female elementary school uniform--a black cardigan over a white collared, long-sleeved shirt, matched with a plaid red mini-skirt, and black knee-length boots. Her one star status is showcased on her cardigan's right collar. The manga has also shown her in the summer uniform, which consists of a short-sleeved blouse, the typical patterned skirt, thigh-high socks, and black shoes. She is always seen with a smile and cheerful attitude.

After four years have passed, she grows taller and her hairstyle changes. Instead of being in the middle, her fringes have moved to left side. She also lets her hair down with some hair rolled in a bun.

Personality
Cute and optimistic, also energetic, Mikan may look like an ordinary girl, but she is a gifted Alice. In terms of personality, Mikan is good-natured and caring towards her friends. Her clumsiness may lead her to trouble most of the time, but she has a very determined spirit. Her mottoes, "Never Lose!" and "Never Give up!", have carried her through countless trials in her life in the academy.

Despite being a klutz, Mikan is quite athletic and is an excellent runner. In fact, her best subject is P.E., along with Home Economics. She houses a number of talents, which includes singing, dancing and playing the recorder. While she is below average in academics, Mikan is considered to be a walking barrier in the school because of her Alice. Mikan is a capable cook, as such she was shown teaching Sumire Shoda how to cook in the Anime and her ability to make tasty mochi and valentines chocolate. Her favorite treat is Fluff Puffs (Howalon in Japanese).

Like her father, Mikan is highly upbeat, loud, outgoing yet foolish and several times in the series she is shown to cheer up her friends. In chapter 102, Nodacchi comments on how similar she is to her father as she brings hope and light to everybody around her and allowing her to overcome many obstacles. She exhibits strong attachments to her friends and loved ones. She has a fear of the dark and ghosts, and can easily freak out. When it comes to romance and love, she is very clueless despite her many admirers, a trait similar to her mother, because she believed that she was too young to like boys. She is even oblivious to the romantic feelings that Natsume and Ruka have for her. When she does learn of their feelings, she is shocked but she realizes that its Natsume whom she loves and she sees Ruka as a close friend. Apart from that, her innocent and cheerful personality allows her to befriend others easily, whether they are rivals or strangers. Her charms have even managed to turn a lot of students into friends and admirers. She also admires those who care deeply for others and inspires her to help her friends as much as possible. Before realizing her feelings for Natsume, Mikan was worried for his well-being and grew to care deeply about him, despite hating him for his cold attitude. After he confessed to her, she realized how much she truly cared about him and that she loves him too. She even accepted his proposal about them being together forever.

An endearing young girl with an innocent heart, Mikan is an incredibly brave, honourable and compassionate person, often risking her life and happiness for those dear to her. She is shown to be very caring, sensitive and somewhat stubborn as she won't back down without a fight, as shown with her regular bickering with Natsume. She can also be a crybaby at times.

Mikan is the type of person who easily forgets her worries and problems, mostly appearing happy and smiling. She always tries to make the best out of a bad situation, a trait that never fails to amaze even her closest friends. Often she can be clever and mature when needed. In contrast to her naivety, she can exhibit clever thinking and perceptiveness during critical situations. Although she is a bit hot-tempered, she tends to forgive people who bully or tease her, that is unless they show they regret their actions; for example, she was named "Mikan No Kimi", which means crimson rose, in the HanaHime Arc after she forgave two girls who were jealous of her and apologized to her once Shizune threatened to kick them out of the HanaHime, and when she forgave Persona for her father's death and the abuse of Natsume after he apologized to her and offered to help her escape from the ESP.

A lot of people were doubtful of her at first, however, with her cheerfulness and charms, Mikan eventually gains a lot of friends and admirers in the academy. Mikan is also famous in the academy for being Natsume's partner with the Nullification Alice and later for her Stealing Alice which caused her to receive unwanted attention from the Elementary School Principal and the members of the Dangerous Ability Class. She hates the Elementary Principle for his crimes against the students and teachers, but is willing to risk her life and freedom to protect her friends from him.

Background
Mikan was born as Mikan Yukihira to Yuka Azumi and Izumi Yukihira. She never met her father, who died before she was born and Yuka didn't know she was pregnant when Izumi died. Yuka gave birth to Mikan after escaping from the academy and lived with Kaoru Igarashi for several months before deciding to leave and raise Mikan on her own.

When Mikan became seriously ill and the academy was close to capturing them, Yuka left Mikan with an elderly man, who adopted her as his granddaughter and renamed her Mikan Sakura.

Mikan was told that her parents died soon after she was born and didn't know anything else about them. According to Mikan, she was the only kid in her old school who didn't have parents, which has since made her curious about her past.

Prior to the start of the story, when Mikan was in the fourth grade, Hotaru transferred to her school from the city and had a hard

time fitting in with the others due to her indifference. At first, Mikan didn't really cared to be friends with Hotaru to her bluntness and serious attitude, but when they entered a dance and singing competition together - after Hotaru having said that "two cute girls like them should stick together" - and won it, she decided to be Hotaru's best friend. Because of their win, the two of them instantly became famous in their neighborhood.

From then on, Mikan began to care deeply for Hotaru, and they became as close as sisters, even though their personalities were and are the exact opposites. They constantly fought and argued; Mikan had the tendency to get upset whenever Hotaru would be cold towards her, but even so, they really cared for each other.

After they entered the fifth grade, when Mikan heard that her school was going to be demolished, she led a protest to stop such an act, since it contained so many memories. However, no one joined her. (This section is elaborated in the anime more than in the manga.) In the manga, Mikan discovers that Hotaru left to give money to the school because the academy gives money in return and the school was going to close down. Hotaru wanted to protect the school because that is where she met Mikan.

One day, she was shocked to hear that Hotaru was moving back to the city to go to an academy for young "geniuses" like her when she received a note from Hotaru through her 'turtle mail'. She was horrified when she learned that the academy was an all-in-one escalator school where the students would not be allowed to see their parents until they graduated. When she heard rumors that students were treated like slaves in Alice Academy (which she felt was a possibility, since the government gave money to the parents for sending their children to the school), Mikan left her grandfather and her home to go after Hotaru by herself.

In a omake, there is a flashback about her when she was five and went to a festival with her grandfather. She went to go play with her friends and they had made a bet with her to get the candy bags on top of a hill (or more specifically, a courage test). However, the girls she got teamed up with got scared, and she had to set out by herself to get the "fun" bags for herself and her friends. When she got the bags, a heart-shaped light reflection came over her, meaning her father was watching over her.

Welcome To Gakuen Alice
Mikan Sakura is ten years old when she is first introduced. She used to live with her grandfather in the country, until she learned that her friend, Hotaru Imai was moving back to the city to go to an academy for young "geniuses" like her. She was horrified when she learned that the academy was an all-in-one escalator school where the students were not allowed to see their parents until they graduated. When she heard rumors that students were like slaves in Alice Academy, which she felt was a possibility since they gave money to parents for sending their children to the school. She left her grandfather and her home to go after Hotaru by herself. At the gate of the school she encountered Narumi who saved her from kidnappers who wanted to enroll her into a fake school. Narumi felt she also may have an Alice and decided she could attend Alice Academy with Hotaru and many other children with extraordinary powers. As they were talking Natsume Hyūga, a boy with the Fire Alice blasted the wall of the school.

Narumi was able to apprehend Natsume with a beanwhip and using his Pheromone Alice to cause Natsume to faint, thus shocking Mikan into thinking that Narumi hurts Hotaru and other students. Mikan waited inside a office for Narumi, who had briefly left so he could inform the principal of her arrival, with an unconscious Natsume. Suddenly, a teacher, Misaki, bursts through the door yelling that Narumi had stolen his bean whips, startling Mikan badly. After calming Mikan down from her initial shock and sharing introductions, he then explains to her about Alices and the school, as well as answers some of her questions. He tells her about Narumi not being a bad person and informs Mikan about Natsume's black cat mask that Mikan is holding, telling her to "avoid black cats". Misaki has to leave for an emergency, but informs her to push a certain button if Natsume were to wake up.

Northen Woods Arc

Alone and bored, Mikan pinches Natsume's nose to see whether or not he was really asleep and when she turns away, believing him to really not be awake, he abruptly grabs onto her hair, forcing her onto the couch below him. He demands her identity callously, even threatening to use his Alice on her if she refuses. Ruka Nogi, a friend of Natsume's, then crashes into the room through a window and Narumi and Misaki return. Mikan then rushes to them, scared of what had just happened, while Natsume and Ruka quickly head to the window, intending to escape out of it. Just before Natsume leaves, he taunts Mikan by showing off her own panties (skirt in the anime), which he had taken off of her in retaliation of her not telling him who she is, and calls her "Polka Dots"; a recurring nickname throughout the series. Mikan is incredibly upset at this but soon cheers up when Narumi presents her with her new uniform and she tries it on. Narumi informs Mikan that she has one week to have her classmates accept her, saying that will determine whether or not she will be able to permanently attend the school, and then introduces her to the class representatives: Hotaru and Iinchou. Reunited with Hotaru, she cries and the two friends share a hug.

When Mikan gets to her new class, she sees that while the majority of her classmates are rebellious and confident, she is still more or less accepted by them initially, despite how reluctant and skeptical their acceptance is (which, considering that Mikan herself isn't even sure of whether or not she actually possesses an Alice, is fair). When she gets to her seat, Mikan sees Natsume and Ruka sitting next to her, which reminds her of the fact that Natsume had stolen her underwear. She is shocked and shouts at Natsume, calling him a molester and a pervert, and this "disrespect" of Natsume causes her classmates to dislike her, most notably in the classmates who follow Natsume. Before she knows it, many of them have accused her of tricking the school into enrolling her, which only increases her frustration. To see if she truly is an Alice, Natsume offers her a challenge: If she goes on a trip through the Northern Woods, and if she survives all of what is inside, then the class would accept her and she would be officially enrolled into the academy. She accepts and Hotaru and Iinchou accompany her into the Northern Woods, during which Mikan asks about Natsume. Hotaru and Iinchou tell her that Natsume is the kind of person she should stay away from, that he has been accused of being a murderer, but this only makes Mikan more curious about him. During their "journey", Mikan and the others encounter Mr. Bear, a cute stuffed bear that looks harmless at first glance, but which ends up fiercely attacking Mikan. This is put to an end once Hotaru spills water onto Bear, and then the group continues onwards.

The next obstacle comes in the form of Piyo, a giant, mutant chick, who chases after Mikan, Hotaru and Iinchou after smelling their food, being hungry itself. They create a trap to capture Ruka, since he has the Animal Pheromone Alice, which can stop Piyo. Ruka is reluctant at first, until Mikan says that they don't wish to harm Piyo and Hotaru makes an off-hand comment about liking chicken. By this time, word has gotten back to Natsume about what happened to Ruka, and furious over it, he immediately makes his way to where the group is. Upon arrival, his temper is apparent and Mikan even goes as far as to describe it, and him, as "terrifying" when he grips her by her hair and glares into her face, accusing her of cheating (as he had said that she was allowed one friend to accompany her, whereas she brought two) and expressing his anger at what they did to Ruka. When Hotau saves her, he then attacks the rest of them with his Alice by encasing them in circles of fire. Mikan, wanting to protect her friends, attacks Natsume when he is distracted and subconsciously uses her Nullification Alice, which is able to nullify other Alices, Natsume's included, much to the shock of everyone there. Narumi, who had anxiously arrived during the ordeal, uses the stunned moment to take control of the situation; just before the chapter ends, Narumi congratulates Mikan, telling her that she is indeed in possession of an Alice, and can now officially attend the academy.

Majority of her classmates were amazed of her success, but some were still hesitant to accept her. Thrown together with several confident classmates who have already been in the system for a while, she asks what the audience would: "How are people with Alices different? We are all human, aren't we?" Just as class is beginning, she sees Natsume come in with his black cat mask on and covered in injuries, which shocks and concerns her. Then, Narumi announces that he has decided to make Natsume Mikan's partner, much to her horror. Her first official day in the academy gets worse when she is made a No-Star after her classmates pull a prank on her that causes the teachers to immediately dislike her. She is further warned by Ruka that she may be targeted because of her Alice. While she is bemused and unhappy with this, she is comforted by Hotaru, Iinchou, and her other close friends.

After Northern Woods Arc
Mikan is constantly reminded by those doubtful of her that she is a newcomer and therefore can never be like them. She is bullied by those who don't like her and is often protected by Hotaru, Iinchou, and the other few friends she initially does make. She is put in the Special Ability class, a class that is known for being diverse, small in size, and looked down upon. She ponders about it and comes across Natsume, who grabs her and threatens her to be quiet, while hiding from Persona. When they are found by Sumire's brother, Mikan is bullied by him and other middle schoolers, who thought Mikan was Natsume's girlfriend. To her dismay, Natsume shows no interest in helping her, going as far as to scoff at her before he walks away. Mikan is rescued by Tsubasa Ando, who becomes her first sempai and is also a member of the Special Ability Class. He takes her to the SA Class where she is welcomed with open arms. For the first time since arriving, Mikan feels truly comfortable.

After introducing Tsubasa to her friends, Hotaru, Anna, Nonoko, and Iinchou. She meets her enemy, Bear, again. Bear, however, doesn't attack her because Tsubasa is close friends with his creator (Kaname). Tsubasa points out that her classmates are simply rebelling to get attention to themselves and not because of Natsume, whom they follow. To bond with her classmates, Mikan comes up with an idea to play a dodgeball game. Everyone rejected her until she says she knows they will lose. Natsume's team then comes up with a deal that if Mikan's team loses, they will be the slaves of Natsume's team. She thinks Ruka wants to be on her team and puts him in it, which angers Natsume. To make her angry and distract her from the game, Natsume brings up that he saw her underwear to the whole class. Due to many of her classmates going on Natsume's team, Mikan's team is able dodge more effectually than Natsume's team. The likeliness of winning is shifted when Natume's team starts to cheating. Hotaru is taken out of the game after Mikan goes into a crazy frenzy and hits her accidently, though Hotaru's helps on the sidelines by punishing cheaters. In the end everyone has fun and the game ends in a tie.

Mikan loses her trust for Narumi after finding out he hasn't sent any of her letters. Narumi explains to her that he has a reason, but can't tell her for her own safety, but Mikan doesn't buy his answer. Wanting to see her grandfather Mikan has Ruka impersonate her and uses one of his birds to fly over the gate of the school. Moments after escaping Mikan is targeted by people who wish to sell her. Narumi saves her, but without sustaining injuries from a small explosive. Mikan is touched by his action and forgives him and returns back to school.

Reo Arc
Mikan is looking forward to attending the Alice Festival with her friends. She is also excited about Reo Mouri visiting the academy, even though she was unaware of him being famous. When she finds out that Natsume is in the hospital due to his illness, she becomes worried about him and sneaks into the hospital, where she is found by Sumire. She and Sumire witness Reo and his men kidnap Natsume. Mikan and Sumire decide to rescue him. They manage to successfully escape the academy, without being caught by Makihara. Now outside of the school they are able to track down Natsume using Sumire's Cat-Dog Alice. She and Sumire then fight about who should go back to warn the teachers and end up getting captured by Reo's men, who knocks the girls unconcious. Mikan, along with Sumire, are tied next to Natsume, as they regained consciousness.

Mikan is in now contact with Hotaru and Narumi via the Panda Earmuffs. Mikan abides to Narumi's advice for escaping, but this is cut short by Reo when he takes Mikan's earmuffs and has a conversation with Narumi. Mikan then unintentionally reveals her Nullification Alice to the enemy, as she tries to defend Natsume from Reo, asking what he wants with Natsume. Reo confuses Mikan by saying her appearance looks a lot like "That Woman".

Natsume gives them the chance to run away while he will stay behind to deal with enemies alone. As they run away, Mikan realizes that Natsume plans to kill himself and take the enemies with him. Mikan is conflicted by leaving Natsume behind to sacrifice himself so that she and Sumire can escape, so Mikan returns to the warehouse to get him back. Just in time, Mikan stops Natsume from ligthing the dynamite. She yells at Natsume and calls him an idiot for thinking of committing suicide and asks him if he really wants to die to and knocks some sense into him.[3]  She manages to get him away from the attackers and accidently falls down a flight of stairs with him. They bicker over her decision to come back for him and he demands that she escape, which she rejects because she could never leave him behind. She also confidently tells him, "Lets go home together, back to the academy, everyone is waiting for us.", indicating that he has people back at the academy to go back to. They compromise about returning and then are found by Reo's men. Mikan attempts to fight him on her own, but she is easily defeated and thrown against a concrete wall, hurting her head. Angered that Mikan is hurt, Natsume ignites the dynamite and Mikan is unable to stop him.

Two days later, she wakes up in a hospital bed and is given an explanation that Natsume is alright, but Reo and his men are nowhere to be found. From her combined effort with Sumire and rescuing (more or less) Natsume from Reo, she is awarded a One Star status.She is overjoyed and goes to check on Natsume, who is still sleeping and she is relieved that he is alright.

Alice Festival Arc
Because of helping Natsume, many of her classmates have grown closer to her and are relieved that she is alright as well, but some still think less of her. Natsume ignores her when she greets him but Ruka smiles at her and thanks her for saving Natsume. Mikan is thrilled about the upcoming Alice festival, until she is told that her class, the Special Ability Class, are the least popular. Even though, Mikan isn't fazed by her class' reputation. She manages to convince her whole class to try their best, by coming up with an idea to use their unique Alices in an Aladdin RPG. To gain more control over her Alice, she asks Natsume to help her, which he does. She also receives help from her teacher, Nodacchi. At first their game is unsucessful and hours go by without anyone coming by. When a couple of boys are nearby, Mikan and the SA Class are happy to see them and gang up on the group. Mikan becomes discouraged when they belittle their class, but Tsubasa cheers her up. It doesn't take long until Narumi, Ruka, and Sumire arrive at their RPG and try it out, which is merely out of boredom. Afterward the SA Class's RPG game becomes very popular among the students, making Mikan and her class very happy. Things become heated up when Natsume happens to come by their RPG. At first, she is thrilled that he has come by but then she is angred and upset greatly when Natsume pulls on her the top of her genie outift and remarks that there are no "mountains" and is "flatter than asphalt". Mikan clings on to Tsubasa, which makes Natsume jealous enough to try the RPG to make Tsubasa his slave.

Due to Ruka's sympathy for her, she keeps her promise to Iinchou to visit his haunted mansion. She is easily frightened by it because she is afraid of ghosts and things relating to it. When the lights go out, because of an accident, she is stuck in a room with Natsume, since Ruka left to chase after his rabbit. She is now even more scared and clings onto Natsume and asks him if she can hold his hand, which he rejects but he doestn't stop her from clinging to him. Mikan then apologizes for the incident with Anna, which Natsume shrugs off by pretending that he did not know what she is talking about. After this, things become awkward and quiet, which makes Mikan forget all about being afraid. She instead goes into deep thinking about Natsume's true character and why is it she feels self-conscious around him. She comes to the conclusion that she no longer hates Natsume and that never smiles, and that she should at least make him smile during the Alice Festival, which end up with her cracking a joke trying to make him laugh. Natsume doesn't find her funny and she changes to irritation when he calls her "Polka Dot". This has Mikan call him "Nasty Fox" and in retaliation Natsume flips her skirt and calls her "Strawberry Fields". They fight and when they are rescued Mikan and Natsume are found in a compromising position (Mikan being on top of Natsume). Mikan tries to explain the situation, but Natsume says that just because no one was around doesn't mean nothing happened, which infuriates Mikan but she thought that she heard Natsume faintly laugh.When Natsume reaches the exit of the RPG, being the #201 partcipant, she is there on top of a carpet. His task is to have Mikan get off the carpet in thirty seconds. This is difficult since Natsume and Nodacchi have been helping her with controlling her Alice. She is also not afraid of Natsume's weapon a mechanical cockroach. Natsume suddenly appears very weak and looks like he could collapse. Mikan, thinking about his Limitless Alice type, abandons her post to check on him. This turns out to be a trick and Natsume calls her "stupid" for falling for it. Unfortunately, thanks to mindreader-kun who was supposed to help Natsume to pick Tsubasa's lamp, Natsume unintentionally picks Mikan's lamp and she becomes his temporary slave. As his slave, Mikan has to carry his things and follow him around during the Alice Festival. She isn't happy about this arrangement, and when she complains, Natsume feeds her Bawk Biscuits for misbehaving. When visiting a pastry shop worked by Anna, Mikan is infuriated by Natsume's rudeness for ruining Anna's cake and throwing a pot of tea at her when she tries to eat Anna's cake, but Ruka says that he had a reason to do so and she regrets yelling at him.

Mikan attends the Alice Festival Dance with her friends. As everyone asks who they will choose as their last dance partner and explain that the last partner will be the other's soulmate, Mikan is amazed that all the girls have love interests and says that she is too young to like a boy. She sees Natsume and Ruka surrounded by girls who want to dance with them. Natsume pushes Ruka to Mikan because he wants to dance with her. They dance and move on. Then, Mikan met for Natsume and asks if he would like to dance with her, which he rejects and walks to dance with another girl, making Mikan feel annoyed. Later as Mikan walks through a secluded path for loners after going to the toilet, she meets Natsume who tells her that a cheerful girl like her shouldn't get close to his darkness, which concerns her. They then bicker over how Natsume doesn't call her by name, which he does. Mikan is stunned and walks away silently. She feels her heart racing and her face blushing, and notes how Natsume said it so suddenly. Hotaru chooses Mikan as her last dance partner and Mikan tells Hotaru how things have changed. This is likely the part where Mikan begins to fall in love with Natsume.Mika is looking forward to watching the Latent Ability Class' Sleeping Beauty in the Woods play and is surprised to see the cast (ex. Ruka is playing Snow White). However, an accident from Koko and Kitsu playing with sticky balls, sticks many of the actors together and has Mikan and others become replacements in the Latent class's Sleeping Beauty in the Woods play. She is one of the leads, casted as The Prince, being begged to by the former actress,Yuri Miyazono and forced by Natsume. Mikan is nervous because she has never been in a play and feels hopeless, even though Ruka assures her that she will be alright. She perceives Natsume's cat costume to be ironic and amusing, but also cute. She is the only one to comment and laugh directly at him, since everyone else is afraid to say anything, and he flicks her forehead for calling him cute. She later finds his one line "meow" to be awkward, while others go crazy over it. Because of a change in script by Narumi, she has to kiss Ruka. Before they do the kiss, she is stopped by Natsume, who throws an eraser (an apple in the anime) at Mikan's head out of jealousy,and Hotaru, who turns off the lights to end the play. Afterwards, the play is a success. Mikan is embarrssed around Ruka and wondered what had just happened.

Zero Invasion Arc
After the final exams, there was a strange occurrence where people were losing their Alices; at the same time, Iinchou had won the Special Student Award which allowed him to leave and travel outside for a week. At that time. he lost his Alice to Yuka Azumi (Mikan's mother) as he was helping her up while returning to the academy, and when he returned, he realizes that he had lost his Alice. At the same time, the Z people invaded the academy. Hotaru and Mikan went to see the people who took Inchou’s Alice on Hotaru's invention. Mikan and Hotaru encounter Yuka and Shiki and then one of the people from the Z’s shot a poison bullet that would have hit Mikan but Hotaru pushed her and was hit in the shoulder instead, putting herself in danger. Mikan, with the help of Tono, finds out that there is an antidote for Hotaru's illness and needs to find Z's hideout to get it. Mikan, Natsume, Tsubasa and Ruka decide to go to Z's hideout to find the antidote and Iinchou's Alice. Mikan, Natsume and Ruka eat the Gulliver's Candy to make them look 15-years-old so they can sneak into the high school building. On the day of their adventure, they now have the bodies of 15-year-olds. Mikan is dumbfounded when Tono makes a perverted request to her and she is further surprised to see Natsume and Ruka older. When she slips, Natsume catches her and touches her chest, commenting that her breasts hadn't grown, much to her chargin.[4]  Despite initial backfires in their plan, they successfully reach the high school building and get to the Key hole, where they teleport to a wooded area.Mikan and her classmates prepare for the final exams. She is explained that those who score the highest will get special benefits, including a one week visit with his/hers family, which makes Mikan decide to study hard so she can see her grandfather. Because she is average in exams, she begins studying with her friends every day until late in the nights. Her determination to study hard for the exams inspires others to study as well. Despite how hard she studied, she scored poorly.

After arriving to Z's hideout, Mikan is tasked to be in charge of Pengy the penguin, after finding him in her bag. Later when Ruka andPenguin are about to be turned to stone by tree, she saves them with her Nullification Alice, which is powered up by Tono's Amplification Alice. The night before leaving to Z's location, Mikan and Ruka promise to give each other their Alice stones (at the time Mikan didn't know about exchanging stones meaning soulmates). After Ruka leaves, Mikan notices that Natsume was listening to them the whole time. They sit together but don't speak. When he speaks about her switching stones with Ruka, Mikan realizes that her Alice works well with Natsume's Alice and she tells him that she will give her Alice stone to him. While surprised by her promise, Natsume reminds her that she already arranged to exchange stones with Ruka, but she says that she will make two stones to give to both of them. The two argue and start splashing water at each other. Natsume suddenly tells her to let her hair down because it looks prettier that way, causing much embarrassment for Mikan.

Upon reaching the hideout, Mikan is pulled into a hole by a skeleton and Natsume is unable to save her. She wakes up to find herself in a prison with the skeleton which scares her greatly. There, Mikan met her mother, Yuka Azumi, for the first time. Although she didn’t know her as her mother, her mother knew who she was, based on the fact that Mikan had the Nullification Alice. Mikan shouts at her, saying she hates her and blames her for stealing

Christmas Ball Arc
Mikan, along with the rest of Class B, decide to have a suprise birthday party for Natsume. They did this as thanks for what he has done, since his birthday has been delayed due to all the troubling events recently. Mikan is happy at the chance to repay him for protecting her. At the party Natsume chooses her class picture as the worst present, much to her suprise. Natsume chose hers because it reminded him that he had not befriended all his classmates. As a consequence for losing, Mikan is a slave to Yo-chan and Ruka.

During the party, Mikan is genuinely having fun with her friends. When she sees how much Yo-chan wants to play with Bear because he lost his toy bear, she tries to get Bear to comlpy. But it will only play with Yo-chan if Mikan does the rest of the cleanup, which she agrees because it will make Yo-chan happy. After a while, she goes to the balcony for some fresh air and, as a sign of thanks, Yo-chan kisses her on the cheek and Ruka also kisses her other cheek as a sign of thank you. During the preparation for the Christmas Ball, Mikan meets and befriends the shy and withdrawn Nobara Ibaragi. Nobara finds Mikan cute and easy to be with because of her cheerfulness and becomes attached to her. Mikan gets Nobara to help her with some cakes using the combined powers of their Alices.

Afterwards, Mikan can't look at Ruka because she is embarrassed by the kiss, which Natsume and Hotaru notice. Because they didn't dance back in the Alice Festival, Ruka suggests that Natsume dance with Mikan. Mikan is nervous at first, but Natsume pursuades her to go through with it. The dance is awkward between the two, but the atmosphere becomes somewhat romantic between them. Natsume, wanting to see Mikan smile, comments how Mikan seemed happy while dancing with Ruka at the Alice Festival and asks her to smile a little, calling her an ugly girl and she retaliates by calling him an awful fox. The two insult each other, making the mood around them brighter, until a couple dancing bumps into them and they accidentally fall onto each other and "kiss"; it was a tooth kiss, according to Mikan, since only her tooth hit his mouth. After this, Natsume spends his time on the Christmas tree. Mikan then is invited to dance by a strange person, whom she figures out later is the Elementary School Principal. That's when he deliberately drops her mask off ("sign of bad luck for the whole incoming year" like others said). She's so down that she leaves the dance floor and comes up that same tree Natsume's sitting, cries and talks to Natsume about the what happened to her in the dance floor. Natsume calls her stupid for believing the tale of bad luck, which helps Mikan forget her problems. The conversation then shifts to the kissing incident when Natsume asks if she kissed Ruka, which she refuses to speak about and asks if he had ever kissed anyone (she had heard that he had). Natsume says she is unsuitable for Ruka, which infuriates her and she says that she wouldn't want to be the person who kissed him and that their kiss wasn't a kiss. Then, Natsume kisses her and she nervously returns his kiss. When Mikan pushed him away rather roughly, she is breathless and he leaves after saying the kiss now counted, leaving the young girl baffled.

Days after the party, Mikan is assigned with her classmates to clean up the mess. During a break, they sit around and tell ghost stories because the power keeps flickering due to the snow storm outside. Mikan is nervous around Natsume and Ruka because of their encounters during the Christmas party. Then, Mikan is assigned with Natsume and Ruka to clean up, which makes the atmosphere uncomfortable, and the power goes out. Mikan is scared of the dark and both boys hold her hands to comfort her. When they begin to laugh, she feels better and laughs with them. They see someone (Nobara) in the dark and Mikan runs away in horror. While cleaning up once room with her friends, Mikan sees a love umbrella with "Yuka" and "Sensei" written in it, which is actually an indirect love confession from her mother to her father. Many of her friends exchange information of how common it is for Alices to marry each other, which makes Mikan wonder about her parents. She subconciously writes her name underneath the drawing and everyone joins in for fun.

New Years Arc
But Natsume and Mikan wake up in an awkward position. Mikan swears that Natsume held onto her first, but he denies it. Despite that the turtle camera Hotaru set up caught everything on tape, Mikan was to blame for the embrace.On her birthday (New Year's Day), Mikan thinks that everyone forgot her brirthday and leaves the party when some of her friends accuse her of being selfish when she asks Natsume why he didn't get New Year cards. She is comforted by Narumi, who gives her flowers and wishes her a happy birthday. She tells him that she likes him and he says the same. It turns out that her friends had pretended to forget her birthday because they were planning a surprise party for her and Hotaru suggested it because seeing her cry makes her smile cuter, which makes everyone think weird. During her party, she notices that Natsume is isolating himself from them and gives him s bean soup to cheer him up. Later, she gets stuck to Natsume and finds out that Tsubasa put mochi powder in the soups and the maker will be stuck to the person who ate it for an hour, much to Mikan's dismay, even though she is surprised that Natsume ate her soup. Mikan wins an invitation to the Hanahime Den, which shocks everyone because mostly star students can attend. When the mochi powder wore off and Mikan and Natsume seperated, he grabbed onto her hand and said they were still stuck. Mikan is too afriad to protest when he gives her an evil look. When Koko asks if she prefered to be stuck to Ruka, she answers yes without really thinking about it and quickly denies it. Because of her situation, Mikan had to sleep with Natsume. Although she was intially scared at sharing a bed with a boy, she feels surprisingly comfortable. In the middle of the night, Mikan wakes up Natsume because it looked like he was having a nightmere, but when he wakes up, he hugs her, causing Mikan to freak out. Then he says "Noisy, Quiet down..When it ends tomorrow I'll give you back to Ruka for now be quiet" which surprises her and she ends up falling asleep without realizing she is embracing him and kissing his forehead.

Hanahime Arc
Because of the Middle School Principal's interest in her, Mikan wins the chance to attend the Hana Hime Festival. When they arrive, Mikan spots Nobara and calls out to her. Nobara is completely thrilled to see Mikan, but her expression quickly changes when she saw Natsume. Natsume then pulls Mikan away when Nobara was trying to tell her that Natsume has to leave. Upon meeting the enigmatic middle school principal, she becomes excited, while the principal looks at her with keen interest.

Because of some jealous Hana Hime girls, Mikan is kept from eating, playing games, and socializing with the Hanahime members. They spray nasty smelling medicine on her to keep her friends away from her. She feels lonely and wants to leave until Natsume brings her a mandarin ornage because he can hear her stomach. She tells him that he woun't be able to come near her because of the medicine but he says that compared to the perfumes in the room, her medicine is tolerable. When Natsume leaves, Mikan and Youichi are taken from the group and locked away in a room by two Hana Hime girls. After being locked for a while, Youichi, who accidentally ate the Gulliver Candy, which has the ability to age the one who eats it, suddenly grows into a thirteen-year old boy. With his new strength, they managed to break out of the room. Later they are found by Hotaru, Ruka, and some of the members of the Hana Hime, including Shizune Yamanouchi. Shizune and another Hana Hime girl are seen torturing the two jealous girls from earlier, as they threaten them to be kicked out. Mikan feels sorry for them and forgives them despite their wrongdoings. Relieved and totally grateful, they shower Mikan with compliments and thanks, and starts calling her 'Mikan no Kimi'.

After hearing Ruka and Natsume's past story, the three split up. When Mikan goes her way she find someone locked up. She finds out the girl is blind and might be Natsume's sister Aoi Hyūga. Hotaru calls Mikan via Communication Ear Mufflers to inform her they had found Natsume. Upon arrival she is rather speechless at Nobara for attacking them while she and Ruka are protected by Natsume, because his Alice would protect them from Nobara's Ice Alice. Seeing Mikan causes Nobara to flee out of sadness that Mikan saw her other self. Mikan, like Hotaru and Ruka, gets her neck stung by a bug controlled by Yakumo, to momentarily paralyze her. When Person tries to infect Nobara for 'betraying" him, Mikan jumps in to protect her and gets badly infected, which angers Natsume greatly when Persona said it was Mikan's own fault. After Persona inflicts his Alice on Mikan, Hotaru attempts to use her Baka Gun on him, but Mikan pushes him away, seeing that he could inflict Hotaru, too. She asks for everyone to leave and let her deal with Persona alone. She doesn't want to infect them and feels that Persona hurting her friends is worse than her dying. She scolds Persona for all the things he's done to Natsume and that she will never forgive him. Someone had released Aoi who appears in front of Perosna to convince him to leave them alone. Thinking her words are betrayal this he attempted to use his Alice on her also, but is stopped by Mikan who jumped on him taking another hit and knocking his mask off and breaking his earring which protected him from his own Alice (damaging his body). Mikan is taken out of the basement and to Subaru in hopes he can cure her because he is the only one to have survived Persona's Alice. However, he is unsure if he can heal her and Tono's Amplication Alice won't heal her either. When Natsume resolves to leave with Aoi, Mikan asks him if he really will leave and doesn't want him to go.When Mikan and the others find out that Natsume is gone, they go looking for him but they run into Hayate Matsudaira. As Rui appears, Hotaru hits him with her Baka Gun when Rui tries to attack the group. Ruka, Mikan, and Hotaru then leave to find Natsume while Tsubasa and Youichi fight.

Just as Mikan's condition takes a turn for the worse, her injuries begin to heal on their own and then there is a black stone in her hand, which is Persona's Alice stone. It is found out that Mikan also possesses another rare alice: the Stealing Alice, and the partnered Insertion Alice which she inherited from her mother. Days later, while recuperating at the hopsital, she meets with Natsume and Aoi at the gate to say goodbye to Aoi. She is relieved that Natsume chooses to stay, and after Aoi leaves, she vows to work hard to she can see her grandfather again.

Valentine's Day and Alice Stone Switching Game Arc
On Valentine's Day, Mikan decides to make chocolate for everyone, which surprises Natsume and Ruka. However, it turns out that because all the girls put special ingrediants in their sweets, the boys tend to run away, hide, or reject them. Of course, when she returns to her class to give everyone her sweets, no one is there, except Ruka who is hiding. While hiding under a desk from his fan girls with him, she asks him to be the first person to eat her chocolates and leaves. Unbeknowest to her, she drops a piece of her chocolate and Natsume, who was eavesdropping in the ceiling, eats the chocolate himself before Ruka can. She is pulled into the bushes by Tsubasa, Tono, and Megane, who reveal the side effects of the ingrediants in the sweets they ate. They are found and run, and someone throws a chocolate at Mikan. Natsume attempts to grab it, but accidently eats it and becomes friendly with Tsubasa due to the ingredient in it. Mikan is seen dumbfounded when the incident is published in the school newspaper.

By the spring, Class B is taught how to make Alice stones for the first time. While Hotaru, Iinchou, and Ruka are able to make large stones, Mikan and the others are able to make fragments. Then, everyone begins talking about how if two people switch Alice stones, they will be soulmates. Mikan is embarrassed when she remembers how she agreed to switch stones with Ruka and how she promised to give her stone to Natsume during the Z arc. When the game begins and the lights are turned off, Mikan decides that Natsume is the one who needs her stone the most and, with the help of the Teleporation Alice stone, she grabs Natsume. She gives him her stone and says that although it is small, she hopes it will come in use for his Alice. The next morning, she wakes up to find a bag with a large red Alice stone in it by her window. She is mesmerized by the stone and suspects that its from Natsume, but she decides not to question him.

Sports Arc
Everyone enters in the sixth grade and, on the day of the opening ceremony, Mikan tells her friends of a nightmare she had of being chased by Persona. She asks around about where Natsume is. When she does see him at the ceremony, she is amazed of how much he has changed; she sees that he has gotten taller. After class, she sees him and chases after him when he runs from her. She slams into him when he suddenly stopped and smiled lovingly at her and asked why she had such a face after not seeing each other for a long time, making her blush and her heart race. She asks him where he had been but he leaves without responding and she chases after him.

It turns out that Mikan is kept under keen observation by the Academy, because of her two rare Alices and the fact that she is the daughter of Yuka Azumi, who is a member of the "Z" Organization. The ESP is interested in her and her Alices, and even sent Luna Koizumi to watch over Mikan. Luna, under the guise as a new student, initially acts innocent to Mikan but causes a rift in Mikan and Natsume's relationship. Mikan is uneasy when Luna takes her seat next to Natsume and tries to touch her after Mikan tells her her Alice. Mikan is then stunned when Natsume, who grabbed Luna's hand to stop her from touching Mikan, hold Luna's hand. While deciding teammates for the Sports Festival, Mikan tries to get Natsume to join her team and reject Luna, but is shocked when he goes with Luna. During the festival, all lot of strange occurances happen to her. While preparing for the event, Mikan is pulled into a shed by Luna, who attempts to strangle her and threatens her that Luna will tell Mikan her birth secrets if she acts like a good girl. Luna then tells the teachers that Mikan was bullying her and, too afraid to speak, Mikan is taken away by the school police. But she is rescued by Goshima, who tells her that he was sent by someone who has been watching over her in secret (the HSP). Many of the students under Luna's Alice spread nasty rumors about her, one of which Natsume questions her about. Although it is untrue, Mikan remembers Luna's threat and says that Natsume is a nuisance, even though she doesn't want to push him away from her. After one competition, which Natsume and Ruka raced over Mikan's attention, Ruka wins and asks Mikan to eat lunch with him. Afterwards, during a borrowing race, Mikan is grabbed by Natsume, disguised, and taken to the finishing line while the fireworks display "The person I love" and Mikan feels that it is was Natsume. But Luna says that Natsume was with her the whole time and other kids rumor that they are dating, which furiates Mikan, even causing her to violently turn over a table. Luna continues to make dangerous pranks on Mikan and it only makes Mikan more certain that Luna is not normal. When she hears Natsume say some cruel things about her, she is shocked and runs away, crying. Suddenly, she gets hugged behind by Natsume and once he is gone, she realizes that he didn't mean to do it. In the final competition, some of Luna's teammates attack Mikan, causing her to use her Stealing Alice on them and apologizes to them. She then attacks Luna and them both using their Alices knocks them out. At the end, Mikan's team wins by default.

By the summer, everything returns to normal. Despite Luna Koizumi's threats, Mikan still retains her cheerfulness and closeness to others, except, unfortunately, with Natsume. She is given the title Goddess of Victory by the other students, because she is the main reason why her team won in the sports festival. And after all the bad rumors, which was started by Luna, had cleared up, many students become a lot closer to her. However, they started treating Natsume indifferently. Even the ones who used to follow Natsume now admire and listen to Mikan. Despite the other sudents' doubt in Natsume, Mikan says that she trusts Natsume and will wait for him.

Life at the Academy Arc
Later on, Mikan can utilize her Stealing Alice much efficiently. Under the orders of the Elementary Principal, students begin to force her to steal their Alices (chasing her around) as a rumor spreads that whoever forces her to show her Alice can move up one star rank. Also, she becomes very close with Bear, since while being chased by the middle school students and it helped protect her. Bear wanted her to steal his soul and return it to Kaname, who was hospitalized, thinking it would heal him. But when he gets injured, Mikan felt so sorry and she fixed him, and if she hadn't cared so much, he wouldn't have been able to move as he did now. So they became much closer, where Bear settles down on Mikan, even when Tsubasa isn't around.While spending the afternoon with her friends, she realizes that she has the Stealing Alice and remembers Yuka from the Z arc and how she, too, had the Stealing Alice. Mikan suspects that she may be related to Yuka if they have the same Alice.

During the Soul Suffling Chapters, Mikan soul is put into Bear's body. Mikan's reaction is ultimate panic, which heightens when Koko/Bear vanishes. Later Mikan becomes unaware of Hotaru's confrontation with Luna (who thought she was Mikan). Mikan is told by Hotaru that their bond of friendship will always last and a little confused by Hotaru's behavior, she also promises. After their conservation, Mikan, along with Koko, are the only ones to return to their bodies. She then goes looking for Natsume, after hearing Sumire talk about being in Natsume's body gave her a feeling of weakness. She finds Natsume and not knowing that it was the real Natsume and not Bear handcuffs him to her. Mikan then tells him about how she is confused about Natsume's feelings towards her. As he holds on to her handcuffed hand with his, Mikan realizes that she is talking to the real Natsume. She asks Natsume to promise to never leave her, which he does.

When Narumi is in the final stage of Persona's Alice Mikan tries to remove the Alice with her Stealing Alice. She refuses to listen to him and is unaffected even when he hits her to stop, because revealing her new Alice will cause Mikan trouble. With Jinno's help she is able to remove the Alice stone and save him, but she collapses due to her inexperience in controlling her Stealing Alice. She was unconcious for two days and when she awakened, she agrees with Narumi to keep her Alice a secret. However, she was unaware that Natsume had overheard their conversation when she was hospitalized and knows of her new Alice. She spends most of the summer in bed due to the physical stress of using her Alice, but she eventually gets well and begins to control her Alice.

Mikan is devasted when she learns of Tsubasa's disappearance and that he was transferred to the Dangerous Ability Class, a fact that causes her to isolate herself from everyone and she blames herself for. When she is alone in her room and crying, Natsume shows up from her window, telling her that he came to see her because he had the feeling that she was crying alone. Mikan is hugged and comforted by Natsume who promises her that he will find that guy. === To get her into the Dangerous Ability Class, Luna uses her Alice on several students to provoke Mikan into using her Stealing Alice. Those under Luna's Alice taunt Mikan on how things were fine until she arrived and that it is all her fault that things became chaotic because she is the daughter of Yuka Azumi, a member of Z and the one who stole Iinchou's Alice. They also blame her for causing Tsubasa's transfer. As expected, Mikan is upset by the accusations, but Misaki comes to her defense and beats the kids. When one of them tries to attack Misaki, Mikan uses her Nullififcation on him, but he claims that she stole his Alice. As a result, Mikan is dragged into the Elementary Principle's office, where he explains with a sinister smile that because they were unsure if she had the Stealing Alice, they made the mistake over what class she had been in. The Elementary Principle welcomes her as the newest member of the Dangerous Ability Class. Mikan is also called by the Elementary Principal as his "precious favorite". He also tells her that she must not resist him and accept her fate in return he will treat her better, and he has Luna brawl with her to use her Stealing Alice, which she does and steals Luna's Alice. The Elementary Principle laughs and says how amazing Mikan truly is while Luna is furious that Mikan stole her Alice in front of the Elementary Principle and says how alike she and her mother are, and is about to harm her. Natsume then arrives to save Mikan by setting Luna's hair on fire and confronting the Elementary Principle, and confesses to Mikan in front of everyone in the DA class that he loves her, which shocks Mikan. They runaway while Nobara freezes the ESP's men and all their classmates fight the ESP's men to give Mikan and Natsume the chance to flee. Hotaru asks Mikan to run and says they will meet up again, even though Mikan is worried for Hotaru's safety. As they runaway, Narumi says that he is going to take her away from the academy and live with her because he can't bear to watch her grow up in the academy. He tells her to flee to the middle school building with Natsume. While running, Natsume asks her if she will accept Narumi's proposal and tells her that he wants to grow up so he can run away with her forever, which she says "Me too" and tells herself that she never wants to let go of his hand. ===

Escape Arc
To get her into the Dangerous Ability Class, Luna uses her Alice on several students to provoke Mikan into using her Stealing Alice. Those under Luna's Alice taunt Mikan on how things were fine until she arrived and that it is all her fault that things became chaotic because she is the daughter of Yuka Azumi, a member of Z and the one who stole Iinchou's Alice. They also blame her for causing Tsubasa's transfer. As expected, Mikan is upset by the accusations, but Misaki comes to her defense and beats the kids. When one of them tries to attack Misaki, Mikan uses her Nullififcation on him, but he claims that she stole his Alice. As a result, Mikan is dragged into the Elementary Principle's office, where he explains with a sinister smile that because they were unsure if she had the Stealing Alice, they made the mistake over what class she had been in. The Elementary Principle welcomes her as the newest member of the Dangerous Ability Class.[8]  Mikan is also called by the Elementary Principal as his "precious favorite". He also tells her that she must not resist him and accept her fate in return he will treat her better, and he has Luna brawl with her to use her Stealing Alice, which she does and steals Luna's Alice. The Elementary Principle laughs and says how amazing Mikan truly is while Luna is furious that Mikan stole her Alice in front of the Elementary Principle and says how alike she and her mother are, and is about to harm her. Natsume then arrives to save Mikan by setting Luna's hair on fire and confronting the Elementary Principle, and confesses to Mikan in front of everyone in the DA class that he loves her, which shocks Mikan. They runaway while Nobara freezes the ESP's men and all their classmates fight the ESP's men to give Mikan and Natsume the chance to flee. Hotaru asks Mikan to run and says they will meet up again, even though Mikan is worried for Hotaru's safety. As they runaway, Narumi says that he is going to take her away from the academy and live with her because he can't bear to watch her grow up in the academy. He tells her to flee to the middle school building with Natsume. While running, Natsume asks her if she will accept Narumi's proposal and tells her that he wants to grow up so he can run away with her forever, which she says "Me too" and tells herself that she never wants to let go of his hand.

When they get to the MSP's building, the MSP tells Mikan and Natsume that their friends and classmates will all be punished for taking part in the rebel. Like, Hotaru will be transferred overseas for a year, which causes Mikan to collapses and she feels guilty for causing trouble to her friends. The MSP tells Mikan to use her Teleporation Alice to teleport Natsume and herself to the HSP's office. As they teleport, Mikan hears the MSP ask Mikan to give her regards to Mikan's mother, which makes her confused. In order to get away from the Elementary Principal, the teachers tell her that she is going to escape from the academy because it will be dangerous for her to stay there (because the ESP desires for her Stealing Alice), but she is reluctant to leave her best friend Hotaru, her other friends and Natsume. When Mikan is transported to the high school principal's office, the HSP introduces himself as her uncle and the older brother of her father, Izumi Yukihira, and informs her about her mother. Of course, Mikan is shocked to learn about her relationship with the HSP, as well as some facts about her parents. The HSP wants her to escape with her mother for her own safety, but Mikan refuses because she distrusts her mother due to her actions against Hotaru and Iinchou. Natsume tells the teachers to let Mikan choose her future and that the best way for her to decide is by learning more about her mother. With the help of Noda's Time Travel Alice, Mikan, Hotaru, Natsume, and Ruka venture into the past to learn more about Mikan's mother and father. As they are disappearing, Mikan catches a glimpse of Yuka running towards her and calling her name, but Mikan is already gone and wonders if that was her mother.

Flashback Arc
Mikan watches the past with a heavy heart and discovers things about her mother that surprise her. During one session, she finds out that Natsume's mother had been best friends with her mother and Nodacchi points out how of a miracle it is that Mikan and Natsume meet in the academy and are Alices. Natsume grasps her hand and they stare at each other, apparently realizing that they were meant to be together. As she continues to watch the past, she doesn't do anything significant, until she accidentally goes through the time window to try to stop her father from meeting his end. However, she is pulled back by Tsubasa before she could have the chance to warn him. Before leaving she yells "Daddy" to her father. She breaks down and is held by Natsume who comforts her and tells her not to look. In another session which Mikan learns that Natsume's mother had the same illness as he does and made Yuka feel like a burden to Kaoru, Mikan apologizes to Natsume for never realizing it. In response, he hugs her and tells her that he won't die and leave her. Mikan hugs him back and cries in his arms.

Mikan, who is emotionally saddened by the sacrifices Yuka made, decides to go with her mother and calls Yuka her "Mother" for the first time, hoping to reconcile with her. While everyone agrees with her decision, she looks at Natsume who has a saddened face and won't speak. Then she remembers the time she told Natsume not to leave her and ironically she will be the one leaving him, and cries over how her decision will affect him. Although she doesn't want to leave him, she knows that it is best for not just her well-being, but his and everyone else's. Hotaru and Mikan share a hug, promising that their friendship will last and that they will meet again.

The time to go back to the present is soon, though Mikan tells Noda she would want to see more of the past. After this Tono and her hug and he along with everyone else gives her one of their Alice stones. Seeing that Natsume hasn't given her his Alice stone she looks in his direction and he points at her necklace, which holds the red stone she found in her bedroom several chapters ago. She is overwhelmed with surprise and amazement that the stone was really his and remembers the legend of exchanging Alice stones.

High School Division Arc
Mikan and the group return to the present where she is shocked to find the HSP's office in a mess. Hayami gives Mikan information that the ESP is looking for her and Yuka. This sudden news causes Mikan to worry that her mother has been captured. Natsume then convinces Mikan of the conclusion that she made from time traveling, that she would leave with Yuka, and that he will protect her. With this they unanimously agrees to cause trouble.

Mikan and everyone are running away and run into a Fuukitai member who turns out to be Goshima. He tells them more about the current situation, which is, that Yuka is waiting for her at the Keyhole to escape together. Suddenly a letter from Yuka and a bag of alice stones appear. Yuka is wondering if Mikan also has the Insertion Alice, which is what the Alice stones are for. Tono shoves his Amplification Alice stone in Mikan's throat to awaken her Insertion Alice, much to everyone's shock. Mikan then has an aura surrounding her and Hotaru tests Mikan to see if it did awaken her new Alice with another of Tono's Alice stones, which disappears on contact. Knowing that Mikan has this Alice she starts putting compatible Alice stones into everyone.

Praying for help from her mother, father, and everyone, Mikan inserts Alice stones into everyone. This, however exhausts her. The Alice stone in her body is learned to be Sakurano's Instant Teleportation Alice stone; the same Alice as Yuka. When the pursuers suddenly arrive Natsume protects Mikan with his flames and yells at her to use the Teleportation Alice to run away. She doesn't do this and teleports everyone away from the Fuukitai. Yuka is then seen commenting on how she hears a voice; Mikan's voice calling after her and that it might be from a Telepathy Alice. Unfortunately they are teleported into a mob of students who are after them. After Natsume uses his Wish Alice on them. She is told by him to use her Teleportation Alice once again. Mikan tells Hotaru she can hear her mother's warm voice and wonders if it really is hers, but Hotaru reassures that it truly is. Mikan tells Hotaru that she truly wishes to meet her mother and tell her that she loves her.

When they are attacked again, Nobara decides to fight the Dangerous Ability Class on her own. Mikan devasted when Nobara stays behind. She tries to convince Nobara to come with them, but Natsume explains to her that even if she doesn't understand Nobara's feelings she should let Nobara go and focus on reuniting with her mother. After seeing Hotaru's brother, Subaru, being under Luna's Alice, Mikan without a thought tries to remove Luna's Alice stone from Subaru's body. She is unable to, because of Subaru's Pain Alice hurting her and she becomes momentary captured by the Fuukitai. That is until Sakurano and Jinno arrive and Jinno attacks her capturer with his Alice. Hotaru then tells Mikan to go to her mother, since time is running out to use the Keyhole, and Hotaru decides to stay behind to deal with her brother alone.

Mikan and Hotaru hug one last time before Mikan leaves to meet her mother. To Mikan's surprise Hotaru kisses her shortly, as a sign of friendship. Hotaru tells Mikan that she loves her more than she knows and is thankful for her friendship that changed her. Though, Mikan is unable to hear Hotaru' words, as she teleports away with everyone else, she later hears them with her Telepathy Alice. Mikan is sadden about leaving Hotaru and cries. She then apologizes for crying and says strongly that her tears will make her stronger, so she could protect everyone.

Yuka, Mikan, Shiki, Narumi, and Natsume split into two groups to escape from Luna and the Fuukitai to make it to the Keyhole. But as Yuka inserts the key, the Keyhole suddenly explodes.Since Ruka's Barrier Alice weakens greatly, Tono says that it is best to separate into small groups. Ruka will go with Mikan, while Natsume, Tsubasa, and Tono stay behind to hold back the Fuukitai. As Natsume protects Mikan, she feels Natsume's feelings with her Telepathy Alice. These feelings are described by Mikan to be "strong", "flaming", "painful", and "like a cry". As she feels Natsume's feelings Mikan realizes that she is indeed in love with Natsume and confesses to him. As she leaves to the Keyhole with Ruka, Mikan is speechless when he confesses to her, but he gives his prayers for her and Natsume being together. Mikan then becomes worried about Ruka's health, because he is using a unfamiliar Alice, but he tells her that he's fine, and that she to is also becoming very tired from using her unfamiliar Alice. After that, they are seen by the Fuukitai. Ruka tries to force her to teleport to the High School Division, but was stopped when Natsume appeared defeating the Fuukitai and is full of wounds. Mikan asks why Natsume came, but instead of waiting for his answer, she runs into his arms for an embrace. Natsume then states that until the last moment, when she gets to the gate, he will be by her side, and says he doesn't want to be separated from her. While Mikan responds the same way. Mikan meets with her mother, Yuka, and they both share a hug. Mikan then says for her mother never to cry anymore, then smiles and says, "I love you." to each other. The two are interrupted by Luna, who orders them to be captured, but was stopped by Yuka's teleporting everyone to the High School building.

Mikan finds her mother badly burned and injured. Natsume gives her his Healing Alice, but is does little effect. Yuka reached out and calls for Mikan as she opened her eyes and held her while reminiscing her memories that she did not want Mikan to have, and they both cry.

As Yuka was dying, she looked at Luna and apologized, much to Luna's surprise. She then closed her eyes as the Fuukitai who treated her said her heartbeat stopped. She apologized to Mikan in her mind for everything that has happened as she passed away.

Mikan softly calls for her mother and is in shock when her mother doesn't respond. She cries over the death of her mother and Tsubasa appears to attempt to comfort her, but he quickly changes and it turns out to be Goshima. Then, the ESP appears and orders Goshima to hand her to him as Yuka's replacement. Natsume tries to save her, but no avail due to the ESP's barrier. Then, Shiki offers the ESP an exchange that he will be the new MSP and fix the barrier. Adding that Z won't take over, if things in Gakuen Alice change. However, the ESP won't accept Shiki's proposal. Seeing the academy and her friends in danger, Mikan begs Shiki to save everyone, because she can't leave things like this and her mother wouldn't either. The ESP eventually agrees to Shiki's deal, except for the condition regarding Mikan. He says that he will allow the students to live peacefully if she is under his comand and kept a captive in the academy, meaning she will never be allowed to leave as long as the ESP had control of her. She is saddened, but agrees to protect her friends. After Shiki apologizes, Mikan puts on a brave smile and is comforted by Narumi.

Current and Final Arc
Due to Shiki's agreement, Mikan is now in the care of the ESP, causing her to be separated from her friends and Natsume. She is seen along with Shiki and the HSP, about to bury her mother's coffin next to her father. She is comforted by her uncle and Shiki as the funeral ends. Mikan's friends try to stop her from leaving with the Elementary Principle and ask her where they're taking her. When the Elementary Principle reminds Shiki of their deal, she gives them a brave smile and says goodbye to them. When she sees Natsume, the two share their feelings telepathically and Mikan gives him a tearful smile when he promises to save her. Three months later, her friends have not seen or heard from her ever since, causing them to worry about her well-being. It turns out that she has been in a room in the main building all along and the Elementary Principle has laid out strict rules on her confinement: such as that she is not allowed contact with her friends, she cannot attend school events, and she is even forbidden from leaving her room. However, she is allowed to be visited by Bear, (who keeps her company), the HSP (who helps with her studies) and Shiki (who is currently her guardian). Mikan has grown close to her uncle, whom she now calls "Uncle", and Shiki, who treats her with kindness. Despite the circumstances, Mikan says she isn't all too lonely or sad. She is thankful towards her parents and knows that they are watching over her. She, however, misses her parents and has dreams/nightmares about them. At night, she hears Natsume calling her telepathically as he searches for her and longs to see him again. She is upset that Shiki has forbidden her from helping Nobara by stealing Persona's Alice. He tells her that doing so will cause the ESP to make his move and start using her Alice, as the ESP has been told that she is too young and not proficient enough to use her Stealing Alice. Although, it doesn't stop the ESP from asking her to steal the Alice stone Yuka put in his body, an action she promptly refuses to do so with a hard look and hateful eyes aimed at him.

During the Christmas party, Shiki allows her to watch the event on monitor since she is not allowed to attend, but it only makes her sad because she wants to celebrate Christmas with her friends. Bear comforts her by giving her a present of nuts and acorns it gathered, but then Shiki teleports all the books her friends had picked out for her, which makes her feel touched that they care about her. She cries when she reads Natsume's letter and hears him calling her, and runs to the balcony. Right then, Shiki opens the barrier and they see each other. Mikan cries in joy and she kisses Natsume's hand when he sees a guard and covers her mouth or else they will be found, and she tells him that she missed him. According to Natsume, she has been calling to him somehow. Mikan is embrassed and accuses Natsume of making it up, but says it could be true. Although she can't leave, Mikan says that being with Natsume is a blessing and makes her happy. To make up for not getting Natsume a present (altough she didn't expect to receive any) Mikan offers Natsume anything. His request is for her to kiss him, which flusters her, saying she couldn't do it because she was embarrassed. When he tells her he will leave, Mikan kisses him. When Natsume asks for another kiss, she says she can't because it will make her heart explode. Then, Natsume asks Mikan to tell him that she loves him, much to her growing embarrassment. She then confesses to Natsume that she loves him after he promises to tell her after she does for him and she proceeds to call him names that he brushes off as unnecessary. Natsume tells Mikan that he loves her more than anyone now and forever, and the two kiss once more. Soon after the kiss, when Natsume asks her to wait for him, she promises to wait for him no matter how long it takes and asks him to not be reckless. Then, Mikan gives Natsume an alice stone (a big one) and says that they now can be happy together forever. Natsume says that it's a proposal, making Mikan blush furiously. Natsume tells her that she is his forever, and softly kisses her alice stone making her blush even more and said even if she doesn't love him anymore he would never give back the alice stone she gave him. Both Natsume and Mikan swear they'll be together forever, with the moon as their witness for their vow, and they seal the vow with a kiss. Soon after that, Shiki closed the barrier and Natsume falls off, calling Mikan's name before he falls on the snowy ground. In addition to missing the Christmas party, Mikan is not allowed to celebrate New Year's Day with her friends. However, Bear is with her and she does receive New Year's cards from her friends, and is happy with just that. Then, she suddenly senses something about Nobara's condition. On the day of the New Year's concert, she is visited by Shiki, who notices that she is writing in her journal. He snatches it from her and reads the wishes she wants to accomplish once she is released from her room:

1) See the sea with her friends,

2) Go on a date with Natsume,

3) See her grandfather,

4) Go shopping with Hotaru.

She and Shiki talk about how he and Yuka and some of Mikan's classmates have seen the sea. Mikan has never seen the sea and wishes to be able to see it if they ever have a chance to leave the academy. She then asks what is happening outside and Shiki tells her that there will be a concert, which excites Mikan. Even though Shiki warns her that the performer will be someone she doesn't want to see, she insists that she watch it from the monitor. Shiki relents to her request and she is thrilled to be able to watch the concert. For some reason, the screen won't show the concert when she tries to turn it on. After some time, it finally works and Mikan sees Narumi holding the ESP with a clawed hand against his throat, which shocks her. Mikan tries to escape from the room to stop Narumi from killing the ESP, knowing it will be trouble to him. But, Bear stops her because of Shiki's warning of the ESP taking control of her Alice if she escapes. Mikan proceeds to cry as she watches Narumi express his regrets and wishes to helps those victimized by the ESP, but prays that he doesn't actually kill the ESP. Like everyone else, she is shocked that the ESP was actually Goshima in disguise and the real ESP appears before a battle errupts between him and the students and teachers. After the ESP escapes from the chaos and her friends are teleproted away, the ESP's men try to force open her doors, announcing to her that the ESP has ordered her to be turned over to him. At the same time the men are attacked by the Dangerous Ability Class who have come to rescue her, Mikan sees Nobara's spirit behind her. Realizing that Nobara is close to death, Mikan subconciously uses the teleporation alice to teleport herself to the emergency room, injuring herself in the process due the MSP's powerful barrier. She ignores Sakurano and Subaru's warnings and uses her Stealing Alice to remove Persona's Alice stones from her body, saving her from death. She then places Subaru's healing alice stone in Nobara. However, Mikan quickly feels faint for oversuing her Alices, but she is relieved that Nobara is alive. Persona and the ESP's men appear and tell her to surrender peacefully and they won't harm her. Mikan vows that she will never let anyone, especially the ESP, have her Alice. As they come under attack, she uses her Nullification Alice to act as a barrier, but once again she feels weak from the overuse. Subaru and Sakurano tell her that they can't teleport her to the MSP because the ESP may have predicted her escape all along and they decide to fight instead. However, before they can, Persona betrays the men and defeats them because he wants to help Mikan for saving Nobara. Mikan is reluctant to let Persona help her because of what he did to Natsume, Nobara, and her father. But Nobara clings to Mikan's hand and asks Mikan to forgive Persona. With that and remembering that Persona had been a victim of the ESP as well, Mikan agrees to let Persona help her and forgives him of his evil deeds, and calls him "Rei" (the name her father gave him years ago). As they are running together, Mikan tells herself that she hopes everyone can forgive Persona so they can move forward together. Then, Persona tells her that Natsume and the others are battling the Fuukitai and that he will risk his life to fight the ESP. Mikan rejects his idea and tells him not to give up his life so easily. She is also worried about Natsume due to his poor health and says that she wants to protect Natsume and everyone rather than be protected by them. She receives Hotaru's Baka Canon to protect herself with against the Fuukitai. They are then confronted by Luna and more Fuukitai. Mikan is protected by Persona, who takes several knife attacks. Determined to protect Persona and save everyone, Mikan carries him and vows to save everyone. She throws the bullets from the Baka Canon at the Fuukitai to get away, but no avail. She nearly gives up when Persona falls and bleeds excessively, until Reo uses his Alice on the school intercom. When the Fukkitai and controlled students regain their senses, they attack Mikan. She uses Stealing Alice to remove Luna's Alice stones from them, but a bright light appears as she uses it and suddenly feels exhausted. She then realizes that she may have the 4th Alice characteristic after remembering what Nodacchi told her about it. The students tell Mikan to escape with Persona, but she tells Luna that she wants Luna to live happily with her Alice and remember that everyone cares about her. Halfway to the ESP's room, Persona tells her he can't go any further and she must get to Natsume. Initially reluctant to, Mikan tells him that she hopes he will like his Alice so her father can be happy in heaven. She learns of Natsume's bad condition from the boy who unintentionally stabbed him and asks to be taken to him. Before going, she thanks Persona for his help. She teleports to

Natsume and finds him not breathing. She screams Natsume's name in horror and sadness. She realizes that Natsume is not dead yet because his flames are still burning and pleads for him to come back to her. Scared to lose him, she subconciously uses her Alice to save his life, while she grasps the Alice stone he gave her a year ago, and faints on top of him. She tries to stop Tsubasa from attacking the ESP but Luna takes the ESP's soul to stop his evil. Tono and Sakurano are unable revive Natsume when his heart stops beating. The HSP tells Mikan to insert Natsume's Alice stone into him to save his life. But in the process, Mikan realizes that she had lost her Alice when she stopped Natsume's flames, which leaves her devastated. The HSP tells her to absorb her Alice stone to give her the ability to insert the stone into Natsume, but if she does so, she will no longer have an Alice and be unable to remain in the academy. Unwilling to lose Natsume forever, Mikan sacrifices the last of her Alice to save his life. Before she does so, she kisses the unconcious Natsume and professes her love to him. Her sacrifice, however, was in vain and Natsume is confirmed dead. To save Mikan from having a breakdown, Hotaru pleads with Nodacchi to go back in time and save him. Although changing the future is forbidden, Nodacchi agrees but says Mikan will still have to accept that Natsume is dead. Nodacchi, Hotaru, and Subaru take Natsume and travel to the past.

With the loss of Natsume, something in Mikan dies and she becomes visablely sullen. She meets with the HSP, Shiki, and the academy council. There, she learns that not only will she be forced to leave the academy, but they want to erase her memories of everything concerning the academy "for her own good". Mikan refuses, because she never wants to forget Natsume and her friends. She frantically begs her uncle to prevent this. Narumi uses his Alice to knock her out and holds her, and tells her that it is in her best interest that she forget everything that has happened. Mikan is allowed to return to Class B and reunite with her friends before her memories are due to be erased. Mikan is happy to be with her friends again, but deep down, she is suffering because she misses Hotaru and Natsume, and is afraid that she won't be able to see Natsume again before she loses her memories.

The class decides to make a memoir of their favorite memories of Mikan. Mikan is touched to hear her friends talk about their favorite moments with Mikan and how much she has changed the academy and brought hope into their lives. Even the students, such as Sumire, talk about how much they like her. At the end, Mikan is presented a bouquet of flowers from Misaki; each flower symbolizing each memory from her friends.

The next day, Mikan is packing her belongings to get ready to leave tomorrow. She wants to hear Bear's favorite memories of her, but instead it picks a fight with her. Mikan goes to Kaname to tell him about Bear's attitude, and Kaname says that Bear is expressing its anger and lonliness at Mikan becuase her departure will be painful to it. With this in mind, Mikan is able to reconcile with Bear. After visiting with Kaname, Mikan goes to Central Town with Ruka to get her grandfather a present. While on a break, Ruka confesses his love to Mikan again. Rather than giving him a response to his confession, Mikan promises to him that she will visit with him when she is given the opportunity in the future. Later that night, as she is drifting off to sleep, Mikan hears someone calling for her and looks up to see a flash of light, that then reveals Hotaru. They share a happy reunion, long enough for Hotaru tell Mikan her favorite memory of her. Then, Hotaru knocks Mikan and returns to the time realm with Subaru and Nodacchi to face the consequences for changing the future by saving Natsume. The next morning, Mikan wakes up and looks for Hotaru, and no one has no idea where she is. Later that day, Mikan is getting ready to leave the academy, with her friends and classmates there to bid her farewell. Because Bear doesn't want to be separated from Mikan, the HSP allows her to take It with her, but only on the condition that no one must never know Bear's connection to the academy. The Middle Division forms a band, with Sumire leading them, as a farewell present to Mikan, which is Yura's idea. Mikan cries, grateful that she has so many people who love her. Despite Ruka's pleas for Mikan to stay, Mikan says goodbye to everyone and bravely smiles as she walks out of the gates. She meets an unseen person who ultimately erases her memories. Afterwards, she is returned to her village.

However, due to her status in the academy, Mikan is still the wanted by enemy organizations, who still beleive she has an Alice. As a result, the academy watches her carefully from a distance, and even sends Goshima out to protect her while in disguise, and forms a barrier around her village. Four years later, Mikan is 16-years-old and in high school. She has no memories from her time in Alice Academy, but feels that she has been somewhere else and met people she can't remember. She is very popular at school, espeically with the boys and her teacher because she is really pretty and cute, but she refuses to go out with them because she senses that she is waiting for someone she had loved in the past but wonders who. While hanging out with her friends at the beach, mysterious men attack them and try to capture Mikan. She is saved when someone sets the men on fire. Mikan suddenly remembers when she first saw Natsume. Then Narumi suddenly appears and knocks the men out, and Mikan remembers first meeting Narumi, but doesn't recognize him. Then, one of her friends beats one of the men and reveals herself as Goshima in disguise, confusing Mikan even more. All of a sudden, someone grabs her hand and pulled her back. When Mikan turned to see who it is, it turns out to be Natsume. Although she strongly feels that she has met him, Mikan doesn't recognize Natsume, who greets her by touching her chest and saying it has grown a bit, much to her chagrin. She is then reunited with Ruka, Tsubasa, Tono, and many others. Even though she has flashbacks of them, she still doesn't recognize them. Confused, Mikan tries to run away before being stopped by Natsume, who pulls her into an embrace. He proceeds to tell her his feelings about her departure and how he has been searching for her for the last four years, and she still belongs to him. Mikan suddenly realizes that the feeling she has for her unknown lover is the same with Natsume, and she returns his hug. She then finds her tiny Alice stone, the first one she gave to Natsume when they were eleven, in his pocket. Wanting Mikan back, Natsume gives it to her and she absorbs it, regaining some of her Alice . As soon as she absorbs the stone, Mikan suddenly regains her memories of everything she had forgotten. When she realizes that she is looking at a healthy and very much alive Natsume, Mikan cries in joy and the couple embraces, knowing that, after four years of separation and enduring harships that threatened their relationship, they can finally be together forever. She also shares a happy reunion with Ruka, Narumi, Tsubasa, and Tono. She asks if Hotaru is with them, which they reluctantly say no and that Hotaru went back in time to change natsume's fate, and as punishment, she has been trapped ever since. Goshima tells Mikan that he was forced to work for the ESP and he feels guilty for being responsible for her mother's death, and asks for her forgiveness. Knowing how evil the ESP was and how he manipulated people into doing things for him, Mikan decides to forgive Goshima, as he amended his crime by disguising himself in order to protect her, and it is what her parents would have wanted. Shiki, Sakurano, and Nodacchi arrive and greet mikan, much to her surprise. Shiki tells her that the HSP is talking with her grandfather about letting her return to the academy. Ruka gives the mushroom transmitters to Mikan, who hears Hotaru greet Mikan for it is her 17th birthday. Mikan cries over Hotaru's sacrifice in order to give her happiness. Mikan makes it her main goal to find Hotaru, which everyone supports. Just then, all of her former friends, classmates, and teachers from the academy appear, and happily greet Mikan. She also reunites with Nobara and Persona, who are now a couple and have a newborn child. As Mikan shares a heartful reunion with her friends, Shiki recalls the wishes she wanted to fulfill when she got out of the academy; the first one was to go to the beach with all her friends. Shiki and Narumi talk about how grateful and proud they are to have made Mikan happy. Tono uses his Alice to amplify her Alice and makes a seductive remark towards her, which ends up with him being beaten by Natsume, Ruka, Shiki, and the HSP. Nodacchi offers to help Mikan, Natsume, and ruka witht heir journey to find Hotaru, and everyone cheers for the three to do their best. The series ends with Mikan, Natsume,and Ruka begining their quest to find Hotaru.

Alice
Until her entry into the Academy, Mikan's Alices were never heard of or mentioned, then as the story progresses, she learns and discovers how to use her Alices. Her first Alice is the Nullification Alice (無効化のアリス Mukōka no Alice), inherited from her father, Izumi Yukihira. Mikan can completely negate - for an undetermined amount of time - the powers of any Alice in close proximity to her. Initially, this ability was involuntary and only appeared during cases of extreme danger, but gradually, she learned how to properly control it. In the current arc, she is shown using her alice skillfully enough to blow away enemies who attempted to attack her and even project it to Natsume when Yuka tried to steal his Alice so as to protect him.Mikan wields very rare and important Alices, which were inherited from her parents. This surprises many of the older members of the Academy, and like her mother before her, Mikan's Alices make her a target for the Elementary School Principal.

It is revealed in the Current arc that her Alice shape form is the third shape, Intermittent, which means that her Alice possesses a huge amount of power but the alice vanishes immediately. In chapter 165 and 166, she uses the last of her Nullification Alice and Stealing Alice and Insertion Alice to save Natsume, making her a non-Alice now.

She seems to have the ability of precognition or premonition, to see future probabilities through dreams. This becomes more apparent when she dreams about Hotaru being called to the principal's office and it happens.Mikan also possesses the Stealing Alice (盗みのアリス Nusumi no Alice) and the partnered Insertion Alice (アリスを入れるアリス Alice wo Ireru Alice). These were inherited from her mother, Yuka Azumi. Like the Nullification Alice, the Stealing-Alice is a defensive type, but it can be also be used offensively. Mikan has the ability to steal the Alices of individuals through physical contact. When used strongly, her Stealing-Alice may leave the victim temporarily weakened. After the stealing process, Mikan can turn the stolen Alices into Alice Stones. She also has the ability to insert the stolen Alices in other compatible individuals. Mikan "healed" herself from Persona's alice by stealing the alice from her body. She later healed Narumi who was suffering from the same thing.

Both the Nullification Alice and Stealing-Alice are considered to be rare and unique.

Mikan is highly compatible with different kinds of Alice. This stems from the fact that she is related to people with very special Alices. Izumi Yukihira, her late father, had the Nullification Alice, and her mother, Yuka Azumi, has three Alices: teleportation alice ,the Stealing-Alice and Instant Teleportation. Her uncle, the high school principal of the academy, is regarded as a "god" due to his Alice of Longevity and Alice Detection. Her parents, her uncle, and herself all possess very rare Alices, making them special to the academy.

Apart from her natural-born Alices, Mikan is seen to be skilled in using different powers available to her. Given by Sakurano, the Instant Teleportation Alice, which proves to be highly compatible with her due to the fact her mother also possesses this Alice, is under her full control. She is able to activate and use teleportation in succession easily. In addition to that, she is compatible with Tono's Amplification Alice as well and is able to draw out its full power. Mikan later gains the Amplification Alice ability, which awakens her Insertion Alice.

Mikan also gains the Telepathy Alice, another Alice she gained from Sakurano. With telepathy she is able to transfer or sent out her thoughts and emotional sensations to others, whether she does it voluntarily or not. As seen with Sakurano, Mikan is presumably capable to psionically sense or track other living beings several miles away. Despite of her appearance, Mikan is able to use her Alices with full control, like her family.

Natsume Hyūga
Main article: Natsume Hyūga

Natsume and Mikan are sworn enemies, mainly due to their constant bickering and opposing personalities. However, as the series progresses, the two became close and eventually fell in love with each other. Natsume considers Mikan as his sun and Mikan considers Natsume her most important person due to that her Alice works best when it involves him.

Mikan first encountered Natsume on her first day in the Academy, when he attempted to escape but was stopped by Narumi. Later that day, as she was waiting alone in one of the Academy's rooms with a sleeping Natsume, he suddenly woke up and pinned her down on the couch, asking for her identity and threatening her with his Fire Alice. Mikan panicked and refused to tell him who she was, and Natsume unbuttoned her skirt in an attempt to embarrass her (in the manga, he manages to steal her underwear). When Narumi reentered the room, Natsume promptly escaped on one of Ruka's bird friends, holding out her underwear and stating "Polka dots". This first meeting planted a seed of hate in Mikan for Natsume, which she would carry with her for a very long time.

It eventually becomes apparent that Natsume's feelings for Mikan are love, something which he hides and fights in a friendly manner against his best friend Ruka, who is also in love with her. Mikan remains as the only girl Natsume calls by her real name, and the two have so far kissed six times (two at the Christmas party- once when Mikan accidentally fell on top of Natsume resulting in a 'tooth-kiss' and again after Mikan forcefully dismisses the incMikan continued to despise Natsume for a large part of the series, but she later grows to care about him, constantly worrying about his well being. One of her first signs of protection was when she risked her life to save Natsume from the Anti-Alice Organization with the combined effort of Sumire. As Mikan's feelings develop, Natsume's does, as well. He was often cold and unfeeling towards others at the beginning of the series, except to his best friend Ruka, but is eventually drawn to Mikan because of her cheerful and kind personality. Mikan initially believed she was too young to like a boy, but she quickly realizes that she feels weird around Natsume and that her Alice works best when it involves Natsume. She eventually feels drawn to Natsume because of his protection and devotion to his friends and her.

ident as a real 'kiss', prompting him to give her a proper kiss; three in chapters 144-145 when Natsume is able to see her during the 2nd Christmas party; one in chapter 166 but he was unconcious). He also hugged her tightly her when she cried for her father's death, when Tsubasa went missing after a mission and after he had to act uncaring about her, he grabbed a boy's mask to comfort her. Another hint towards their relationship being one of love, at least on Natsume's part, is during the first radio drama, where Natsume burned away Tsubasa when Mikan was too close to him, ordered Mikan to "only let her hair down in front of him" and said that he didn't mind the fact that she was on top of him, when she was trying to keep him away from Tsubasa. Also in the sport festival borrowing race, he was asked to borrow the person he loves, and he went and grabbed Mikan even though nobody knew who he was, and during the RPG game in the anime, where Natsume looked at her flat chest and Mikan ran to Tsubasa, and Tsubasa hugs her tightly. Natsume turned back and glared at him.

At times, she is seen bickering with him, and at other times, she worries about him. Most of their scenes together involve insulting each other early in the series. Despite these quarrels, the two share a deep bond. Like when their classmates were doubtful of Natsume for joining with Luna, Mikan says that she trusts Natsume and will wait for him. Natsume said that he wanted to run away from the academy as an adult with Mikan and so does she. Eventually, Mikan admits and confesses to Natsume that she loves him. She furthermore makes a vow with him that they will be together forever and that they will give up each other Alice's to save each others life.On Mikan's part, she grows concerned for his well-being and tends to blush or feel dumbfounded when he says or does something unexpected to her. At first, her care from him grew after discovering that he was being abused by the academy and she tried doing what she could to help him. Despite his cold attitude, she tried to befriend him, and she succeeded in winning his respect after saving him from Reo. She wants Natsume to be the person to accept her alice stone, even after realizing the meaning of the alice stone switching tradition. She later becomes jealous when Luna arrives and acts like she's interested in Natsume: like, being shocked that Natsume held hands with Luna and joined her group for the Sports Festival. When she fears that Natsume will die soon or that he might go somewhere far away, she asks him if he would ever leave her behind, which he said no, much to her relief. Her attitude towards Natsume varies throughout the series.

Family
Mikan's parents are Izumi Yukihira and Yuka Azumi. Mikan's father, Izumi, died before she was born at the hands of the Elementary Principle. Mikan does accidently meet him during the time travel arc, when she fell into the hole and tried to stop him from going to the ESP's office because she knew he was going to die. She screamed "Daddy" before being returned to the hole and cries in Natsume's arms as she watches her father die. Mikan doesn't meet her mother until the Z arc, more than 10 years after they were seperated. Although, Mikan was unaware of their relationship. Mikan was seperated from her mother as a baby when Yuka decided Mikan was better off without her. During the escape arc, Mikan discovers that Yuka was her mother and refused to go with her out of hate from when Yuka stole Iinchou's Alice. However, after seeing her mother's past, she decides that she loves her mother and embraces her when they meet, even saying "Mother, I love you." She is devestated when her mother dies and cries in disbelief. She is depressed at her mother's funeral, but recovers and keeps a photo of her parents close to her, cherishing them and happy that they were her parents. The High School Principle is Mikan's paternal uncle (her father's older brother). She doesn't find out about their blood relationship until chapter 101, when he confesses the truth of her family. She was secretly protected by him ever since she entered in the academy, indicating that he knew about her before she came to the academy. He wants her to escape from the academy with her mother, knowing she is in danger and is unwilling to allow her to have a similar fate as her parents. After her mother's death, he watches over her and helps her with her studies, and they quickly build an uncle and niece relationship. Mikan grows emotionally close to her uncle and is glad that he cares about her. Mikan's grandfather is not related to her by blood, but he actually adopted her when her mother left her in his care to protect her from the academy. She loves her grandfather and even tried to escape once to see him. She keeps in contact with him through letters. Even when she finds out that they are not blood-related, she still considers him as her grandfather. Mikan never meets her mother's family, who abandoned her mother at the academy at age 5 and turned her away when she escaped.

Hotaru Imai
Main article: Hotaru Imai

Mikan and Hotaru are best friends, although Mikan is a direct contrast of Hotaru's torpor. In the fourth grade, Hotaru transferred to Mikan's small-town school from the city and had a hard time fitting in with the others due to being a genius. At first, Mikan chose to ignore her and disliked her because of her blunt and serious attitude. However, everything changed when Hotaru confronted Mikan about joining a dance and singing competition. The two won the competition together and became famous in their neighborhood. From then on, Mikan began caring deeply about Hotaru and the two became as close as sisters, even though their personalities are the exact opposite. It was when Hotaru suddenly transferred to Alice Academy that Mikan ran away after her, ultimately becoming a part of the school herself. While Mikan is cheerful and outgoing, Hotaru is rational and brutally honest. While Mikan always has on a smile, Hotaru often has a poker face. Despite how badly she treats her, Hotaru cares for and loves Mikan as a sister figure and often protects her, even saying she is the only one allowed to make Mikan cry. She even says that she finds that making Mikan cry makes her smile cuter.

Hotaru is prepared to sacrificed herself whenever Mikan is in danger, and her works that have adapted toher (such as Penguin) are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Mikan. The two get into fights sometimes (mainly due to Mikan complaining about Hotaru's indifference) and Hotaru does not think twice in hitting Mikan with one of her inventions. Despite being cold and rational, she cares for Mikan deeply and likes seeing her smile. She is aware of Natsume and Ruka's feelings for Mikan, but keeps quiet about it. She also knows who Mikan is falling for (Natsume). Hotaru can be very protective of Mikan and she just enjoys teasing, or more accurately, torturing Mikan's many admirers, mainly Natsume and mostly Ruka.

Whenever something wrong or awkward occurs to Ruka, Hotaru is always there to takes photos of him, and it is usually because of Mikan's requests such as swtiching clothes that gets Ruka in to these kinds of trouble.

On the final arc, Hotaru sacrifices herself just to bound the fate of Natsume and Mikan. After constant timetravelling, she was seen as danger, and when she had finally fulfilled her promise to Mikan, she was trapped in the time vortex along with her brother. 4 years later, after Mikan's memories were erased of her existance, when it had returned, Mikan begun to cry and but still smile just for Hotaru's sake, Mikan says their fate will always be bound, even if they are not together.

Ruka Nogi
Main article: Luka Nogi

Ruka is one of Mikan's many admirers and good friends, despite also being the best friend of Natsume.

Mikan and Ruka's first encounter was when she was being pinned down byNatsume on the couch. Although he is quite shy and quiet towards Mikan, fearing that Natsume will grow angry if they become friends, he eventually softens up to her and develops a crush. Mikan quickly found Ruka to be nice and friendly and started treating him as a good friend, wich ultimately started their friendship in the first place. Once he notices that Natsume has, too, softened to her, Ruka accepts her friendship and since then has been there for her. However, his feelings quickly become that of an elementary school crush for her, but he keep quiet about it. When he becomes convinced that Mikan likes Natsume, he grows jealous and determined to win her instead - in a friendly way. Throughout the series, Ruka becomes more committed to liking Mikan, but she remains oblivious of his feelings. He has kissed her, but more modestly on the cheek.

Ruka's feelings toward Mikan become obvious quite early in the series. He becomes speechless whenever he sees Mikan in pretty or revealing clothing (such as at the Alice Festival) and makes an effort to understand and communicate with her, even when it may oppose Natsume, who initially saw her as a rival in the beginning. His feelings are so obvious that several students form a "Watching Over Ruka Club", meant to spy on the boy and his attempts at winning Mikan's heart. However, knowing that Natsume also loves Mikan, he stated that Natsume needs Mikan more than he does. Ruka finally confessed to Mikan in chapter 134, however he wanted Mikan and Natsume to meet again knowing that Mikan loves Natsume. Although it pained him to let go of his feelings for her, he is happy for them because he is grateful for Mikan for changing Natsume and bringing him happiness. Ruka and Mikan remain good friends.

Mikan often calls Ruka "Ruka-pyon", the nickname she gave him. "Pyon" literally means "hop" in Japanese, and is a very cutesy way for a girl to refer to her friends. (Ruka also carries a rabbit around with him most of the time, corresponding to the nickname further.)

Narumi L. Anju
Main article: Narumi L. Anju

Narumi is the homeroom teacher of Mikan's class, as well as the first one to discover Mikan's Nullification Alice upon her arrival at the Academy. As his pheromone abilities had no affect on the child, he suspected an Alice at work, and allowed Mikan to enter the school. From then on, the two develop a close Father-Daughter relationship, in which Narumi goes at great lengths to protect and nurture Mikan. He even says that she is his favorite student. Mikan adores Narumi and thinks of him as a father figure because she never knew her parents (until chapter 101) and often times goes to him for advice and comfort. However, like everyone else, she thinks of him as an idiot when he says or does something stupid.

Mikan begins calling Narumi "father" due to missing her grandfather. (She originally asked if she could call him "grandpa", but he asked to be called "father" instead as he is too young to be a grandfather.)

Later in the manga, it is found that Narumi harbored unrequited feelings for Mikan's mother, Yuka. It is proven that he is not Mikan's biological father, rather that he made a promise to Mikan's mother to look after Mikan during her stay in the Academy, which explains his protective and father-like attitude. However, there have been hints that he may love Mikan as something more than a daughter figure due to her close resemblance to her mother, but never fully admitts it.

Others
She also has innocent crushes on Tsubasa Ando and Kaname Sonō, who are in the upper years. She first met Tsubasa when he saved her from some middle school bullies. It is revealed that Tsubasa is actually her very first senpai. She describes him to be kind, cool and someone with a face of a movie star, while she views Kaname as more of a prince. She usually clings to Tsubasa and finds comfort with him whenever she faces deep problems. Tsubasa is more like an older brother to Mikan, but he's also one of the reasons why Natsume gets jealous (as in episode 16 of the anime). She also gets along well with the other members of the Special Ability Class to the point that they are like family in school. In addition to that, Mikan has shown great respect and admiration for Misaki Harada, looking up to her like an older sister. She finds Misaki comfortable to be with, like Tsubasa, and the two share a good relationship.

Yū Tobita a.k.a. Iinchō, the class representative of the Elementary Class B, is one of Mikan's first friends in the Academy. According to the author, he fell in love with Mikan at first sight. He is always ready to help Mikan in almost anything. In episode 7, Mikan needs to find members from her dodgeball team and approached Hotaru to help but she needs money to open the doors of Hotaru invention but went broke and asked Iinchō to lend her 50 rabbit to open the doors.[10]

Mikan also befriends the beautiful yet shy Nobara Ibaragi, who possesses the Alice of Ice and Snow. On their first meeting, Mikan feels lonely for Nobara because no one seems to like her. Nobara quickly grows attached to Mikan and often expresses her fondness for the young girl.

Sumire Shōda used to be on bad terms with Mikan mostly because Mikan was receiving a lot of attention from Natsume and Ruka. Mikan teasingly calls her "Permy" due to her hair. Sumire became good friends with Mikan later on after the two of them followed a kidnapped Natsume, but still considers Mikan as a rival in all sorts of things.

Shūichi Sakurano and Subaru Imai are very close to Mikan's mother, Yuka Azumi, and because of that they swore to protect Mikan at all costs. They took the teacher training program to become teachers to stay in the academy and to watch over Mikan. Sakurano, most especially, acts very kindly to her and has shown so many signs of fondness for her, while Subaru treats Mikan much better than other people.

Akira Tonochi is one of Mikan's seniors. He is a ladies' man and enjoys flirting with Mikan. She feels comfortable around him, however her innocent personality makes her oblivious to his perverted comments.

Mikan has a good bond with almost everyone. She loves all her friends equally, as a part of her innocent personality. while she got off on a bad start with various of her classmates and other students and teachers due to her stubborness and naivity, she has since become well-liked due to her kindness and friendly nature, as well as her hardworking skills and determination. She has even befriended those who were doubtful of her and become popular among her peers. Even the teachers who considered a bad influence have grown to accept her as a member of the school.

While she has managed to gain a lot of friends and admirers, she is on bad terms with the Elementary Principle and Persona. When she realized that Persona was the source of Natsume's pain, she detested him and refused to forgive him. She was furthermore shocked after she discovered that it was Persona who had accidently killed her father. However, with some soft pleas from Nobara, Mikan saw Persona's pain and desire to redeem himself, and forgave him. The person Mikan obviously hates the most is the Elementary Principle, because he is the true source of the academy's chaos and the sufferings of so many innocent people. Her hatred grows when she learns that he is the one who ordered her parents' deaths and has used Natsume and other students as pawns for the academy. Despite this, she is willing to be at his mercy in order to protect her friends from him.

Reception
Animax had ran ads for their hottest babe lineup on Jan 1st 2006 with Mikan. In an official Japan Poll for the most popular manga 2005, Mikan was ranked in 16th place for the Best Female Character category. She was nominated for the Saimoe 2005. Mikan was also nominated and got qualified to Round one of the Sailoli contest 2008, beating Chihiro Ogino in Group D. In 2005 Anime Grand Prix, Mikan was in 45th place in the Favorite Female Category. In all the contests, Mikan is the only Gakuen Alice character present.

Trivia

 * Mikan's first name ("蜜柑"), means "mandarin oranges" in Japanese, which corresponds to her light orange Alice Stone color. Her name is also a pun on Yuka's name, because a part of Yuka can mean citrus.
 * Her name "Mikan" was chosen by her father before his death.
 * In Higuchi's previous work M to N no Shozou and her current work Gakuen Alice both the male and female lead start with the same letter; ("M" Mitsuru and Mikan), ("N" Natsuhiko and Natsume).
 * Like her mother, Mikan has managed to gain a love triangle with several boys who have crushes on her. Natsume and Ruka have feelings for her, but Iinchou is said to have fallen in love with her at first sight.
 * January 1st is not her true birthday, but the day Mikan's grandfather was given Mikan. Her true birthday is unknown; it is likely to be in May.
 * In an interview with Tachibana Higuchi, the author hinted that Mikan is her favorite character in the story.
 * Mikan's alice stone color is Mandarin Orange.
 * Mikan's zodiac sign is Capricorn based on her current birth date. Her true date of birth and zodiac sign, however, are unknown.
 * Mikan has been connected to Natsume since they were born because of their mothers' friendship and that they were both named after fruits.
 * Mikan 's adopted surname is Sakura. But it is never revealed whether her surname is Azumi or Yukihira. It is more likely that Yuka gave her her father's surname Yukihira when she was born.
 * In chapter 38, Mikan was told by Natsume that she looked better with her hair down, and in chapter 143-145, she is seen with her hair down when Natsume comes to see her and they confess to each other. Also, when she becomes an adult, she officially wears her hair down.
 * Mikan's promise to be with Natsume forever technically means that she is engaged to him.
 * Mikan is a year older than she thought she was; discovered when it was revealed that January 1st wasn't her real birthday, and meaning that she is really six months older than Natsume.
 * Although she grew up in the country, she has a fear of ghosts and horror stories.
 * it is revealed in chapter 166 Mikan's Alice Shape is Intermittent when she uses the last of her alices to save Natsume from dying.
 * As shown Mikan has a hard time on speaking English shown while she was talking to Amanatsu.

Quotes

 * Maybe this sorrow will one day be joined to equal parts of strength. Someday, in the future, I will really be able to protect someone. With strength, I'm going for it. With perserverence, ever forward. Waiting for that moment to finally happen.
 * Natsume is always involved in difficult situations, and most of them involve Alices. So I guess...Natsume needs my stone the most then...I would want to be of help to him...even just once.
 * To me, death is not the scariest thing at all.
 * I've passed through so many moments with Natsume but still, why could I only see the changes in Natsume's outside? Why couldn't I even think a little...about what is hidden far inside?
 * Work together with everyone, motivating one another...even though they may not be your close friends, you can still understand each other. I'm looking forward to bonding with more people.
 * If I grow up and become powerful and make a fantastic alice stone, I will give that stone to Natsume.
 * I've been helped by Natsume quite a few times too, I'd like to get him something."
 * Others are others, I am myself.
 * Help comes from unexpected corners.
 * What kind of school IS THIS?
 * IF IT WEREN"T FOR YOU, I WOULD NEVER REGRET IT!!!
 * Don't let yourself be hurt so much anymore...rather, let me be your strength.
 * I'm really a big idiot, wanting to protect someone, isn't something that can be easily done. Whether it's Tsubasa-sempai's maturity, Hotaru, Natsume, and everyone's strength and gentleness, they've become stronger, step by step, after every experience...I've gotten through that, and yet I wanted to take a shotcut. Everyone's tears are the result of my weakness.
 * Don't go, Natsume. I want you to come to me.
 * Earlier, when Natsume hugged me, his hands felt hot, shaking a bit, filled with regret.
 * You wouldn't go somewhere and leave me behind, right? Promise me, Natsume.
 * Natsume...me too. I don't want to be separated. I don't want to let go of this hand.
 * Natsume's feelings are pouring in, no matter how hard I try to explain in words, I have never felt anything tremulous, like this, in my life! Natsume...I love you too...I love you...I love you so much...I don't want us to be apart.
 * I...I love you. You idiot, Natsume. You selfish and moron. 
 * With this, we will always be happy together...forever.