The Achiga Girls' Academy in Nara once defeated regional mahjong powerhouse Bansei High School. It advanced into the national team semifinals but lost to the eventual champion, and the mahjong club was later disbanded. Six years later, elementary school student Shizuno Takakamo befriends transfer student Nodoka Haramura. The two eventually enter Achiga Girls,' but Nodoka transfers out of the school in the second year. When Shizuno sees Nodoka on television the following year as the national middle school individual mahjong champion, she decides to revive Achiga's mahjong club.

Saki: Achiga-hen - Episode of Side-A was initially serialized in Shounen Gangan until March 12, 2013, where it was concluded with 20 chapters. On March 25, 2020, the series restarted after 7 years in Big Gangan under the same title.