Anime enthusiasts are well-acquainted with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, the enigmatic protagonist of Classroom of the Elite, who often tops the charts as a fan favorite. His reserved demeanor, coupled with a deliberate withholding of his innermost thoughts, cultivates a compelling mystique that captivates viewers.
As the narrative unfolds, audiences gradually uncover layers of Ayanokoji’s complex personality. However, those who delve into the light novels enjoy a far deeper understanding of Ayanokoji’s character, which differentiates him from his portrayal in the anime adaptation. Here, we explore ten fascinating insights about Ayanokoji that are uniquely revealed in the light novels.
Updated on January 5th, 2025 by Emedo Destiny: With the recent release of the third season, it is remarkable how Classroom of the Elite masterfully exemplifies the phrase “the more you look, the less you see” in relation to Ayanokoji. Loved for his multifaceted nature, Ayanokoji remains an enigma, revealing only bits of himself while still posing as a mysterious figure throughout the series. As the anime attempts to catch up, readers of the light novel series are privy to much more of Ayanokoji’s intricate persona. Below, we delve deeper into ten revealing aspects of the character, known only to light novel fans.
13
Ayanokoji’s Name Is An Act of Spite
The Final Gift of His Estranged Mother
True to the theme of defectiveness that surrounds Ayanokoji, the name ‘Kiyotaka,’ gifted by his mother Mika, serves as a mirror to his unique circumstances. Born from a mere business arrangement between two professionals, this name is arguably the only affectionate aspect to emerge from his conception.
In a bid to emphasize her grievances towards Atsuomi, Ayanokoji’s father who severed ties with her post-birth, Mika chose to name her son after a memorable client. Thus, ‘Kiyotaka’ symbolizes her final act of rebellion against an uncaring father.
12
Ayanokoji Has a Perfect Memory
Beyond the Level of a Genius
Though viewers are often impressed by Ayanokoji’s cognitive abilities on a superficial level, the light novels delve deeper, revealing he possesses a perfect memory. This capability is not merely about recalling facts; Ayanokoji can vividly remember events from his infancy, including detailed conversations from as early as age two—a feat seldom achieved by most individuals.
An excellent demonstration of this extraordinary memory emerges when he meets his father, Atsuomi, for the first time. Ayanokoji casually acknowledges his father’s identity, revealing how he had learned about it at age four, highlighting the depth of his recollections.
11
Ayanokoji is The Product of Broken Individuals and Unrivaled Ambition
Bred for the Singular Purpose of Power
Ayanokoji’s obscured past prior to his time at the Advanced Nurturing School speaks volumes about his upbringing. The light novels reveal stark details of his origins: Ayanokoji is the product of an atypical relationship between his father, a man consumed by his quest for power, and his mother, Mika, a sex worker. This background not only explains his formative experiences in the enigmatic White Room but also contextualizes his complex motivations.
10
Ayanokoji Has Barely Scratched the Surface of His True Abilities
Only He Knows the True Extent of His Abilities
Ayanokoji’s capabilities stand as unparalleled within the series. He remains quietly aware that he is not just unique but far superior to his peers and other inhabitants of the White Room. Having completed an extensive ten-level curriculum designed to cultivate extraordinary individuals, he outpaces fellow students by several years both mentally and physically, thus marking him as an exceptionally formidable individual.
9
Ayanokoji Isn’t So Aloof
He Just Prefers to Be Unnoticed
Readers of the light novels quickly notice that Ayanokoji’s portrayal differs between adaptations. The anime presents him as intensely aloof, seemingly indifferent to the emotions flowing around him. In contrast, the light novels reveal a more nuanced emotional landscape, portraying him as someone who, while stoic, indeed experiences and feels deeply, albeit struggles to express these feelings due to his upbringing.
8
Ayanokoji Is a Machiavellian
He Has No Place for Emotions Alongside His Goals
Due to his emotionally detached persona, many viewers hastily label Ayanokoji as antisocial or even sociopathic. However, within the light novels, a more accurate classification emerges: Machiavellian. He views others primarily as instruments to fulfill his ambitions, strategically manipulating both people and situations to ensure victory without a sense of remorse, resonating with Machiavelli’s philosophies.
7
Ayanokoji Is an Unreliable Narrator
He Lies Even to the Readers
Readers who navigate the light novels discover Ayanokoji as an unreliable narrator, whose verbal deceptions extend beyond his interactions with other characters to the audience as well. Initially, he presents a façade of seeking friendships and avoiding attention, but the plot ultimately reveals a calculated manipulator focused exclusively on his objectives. This undermines the readers’ trust, compelling them to scrutinize the narrative for authenticity.
6
All Ayanokoji Wants Is Freedom
Freedom Accompanied With Unsupervised Exploration
Initially, Ayanokoji expresses a desire for a peaceful school life disconnected from his tumultuous past. However, this longing reveals its true depth over time. His pursuit for calmness actually masks his desire to escape the influences of the White Room and his father’s overbearing watch. The traumas ingrained in him due to his upbringing endow him with a yearning for liberation from not only his past experiences but also the ideologies instilled within him.
5
Ayanokoji Cares About Some People
He Is Not Exactly Emotionless
Although Ayanokoji often embodies cruelty and manipulates others for personal gain, there are moments where he reveals genuine concern for select individuals. This is evident when he intervenes to protect Kei Karuizawa from Kakeru Ryūen’s bullying or when he provides comfort to Honami Ichinose during a vulnerable moment.
4
Ayanokoji Is Suzune Horikita’s Ally
Mutual Interest Turned Care
The dynamic between Ayanokoji and Suzune Horikita deepens in the light novels, portraying him as her sole companion and the first person she considers a friend. Their relationship is subtly romanticized, although both characters dismiss these implications. Ayanokoji operates behind the scenes, ensuring Suzune’s success while operating under his ulterior motives, striving to shield her even though he lacks complete trust in her.
3.
Ayanokoji Befriender Kohei Katsuragi
He Doesn’t Think of People as Tools All the Time
Light novel enthusiasts often voice their discontent regarding the omission and alteration of key scenes in the anime adaptation. One notable absence involves Kohei Katsuragi, who, in the light novel’s volume 4.5, receives Ayanokoji’s assistance in connecting with his sister through a heartfelt gesture on her birthday, contrasting with the comparatively cooler depiction in the anime.
2
Ayanokoji Has More Interactions with Other Girls
A Harem Might Be On the Way
A notable difference between the light novels and the anime adaptation lies in the focus on Suzune Horikita, often sidelining other significant female characters. Readers of the light novels are treated to Ayanokoji’s interactions with a broader cast of female characters, including Kei Karuizawa, with whom he shares notable key moments absent from the anime.
1
Ayanokoji Has a Romantic Relationship with Kei Karuizawa
His First Girlfriend
The light novels expose a far more intricate and evolving relationship between Ayanokoji and Kei Karuizawa than depicted in the anime series. Initially rocky, their connection strengthens as Ayanokoji defends her against bullies, leading to a mutual development of feelings culminating in a confession and establishing them as a couple. Unfortunately, the anime has yet to showcase this pivotal aspect of their bond.
Additionally, Volume 0 of the light novels encapsulates Ayanokoji’s complex opinions about the White Room. While he recognizes its violation of human rights, he doesn’t harbor regret, instead, expressing gratitude for the skills acquired during his time there while acknowledging the need for further growth beyond its confines.
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