Classroom of the Elite - How a Highschool-Drama Should be Done
If you've been in the anime community for quite a while now I'm sure you are familiar with Classroom of the Elite.
Classroom of the Elite or how the fanbase call it, You-zitsu is a very well known light novel series that has attracted many people's attention.
COTE is usually known for it's very respected protagonist - Kiyotaka Ayanokouji.
Whether you like Psychology or Slice of Life, this might be your next favorite show. This show might require high understanding but if you think you're suited for it then it's a must watch anime. This show became a high school-drama classic so quickly and received many titles and praises.
It's not your typical high school drama, this show uses many great elements and knows how to make a progressive and creative story that is also refreshing.
So, what is so great about Ayanokouji and about this show in general? Why is this series so popular?
If you want to get a clear answer for those questions, proceed with caution.
THE SHOW ITSELF
In episode one, the very start of the show, we see a bus full of people. Most of the people in the bus are students of Koudo Ikusei. The situation in the first scene is this: an old woman gets in the bus, but there's no place for her to sit. It seems that nobody is willing give her priority sitting even thought they are young and well aware of the woman's old age. Only one girl wills to let the old lady sit without hesitating or making the old lady ask for her to do it. The girl asks for the other students to give their sit to their old lady, we see a shot of Ayanokouji thinking, but before he decides some other random girl gets off her sit. The girl that helped the old woman is no other than Kikyou Kushida, who later on reveals to be in the same class as our protagonist, Ayanokouji. This act comes to shows us Kushida's humbleness and kindness in order to put her in the spotlight and make her look good. On the other hand, Ayanokouji doesn't seem like he's doing very well. While Kushida looks cheerful Ayanokouji looks gloomy and he fails to introduce himself to the class. Those scenes are made in a way that is supposed to make us think of Ayanokouji as sloppy and as someone who has absolutely zero social skills, thus putting him in the black light while on the other hand making Kushida seem successful and shine in the white light. The 2 of the characters are complete opposites. While Kushida tries her best to make as many friends as possible, Ayanokouji lacks interest in these kind of staff. Later on in the story we get to see what Kushida's objective really is - to bring the whole class to her side for her personal benefits and our perspective as the watchers completely changes. This small twist is done splendidly. So good that you might not even be able to tell before you get attached to the story. Every little detail in the plot is important and thought about in advance, that's how you write a good drama. It gets more interesting and even more thrilling with every single episode. Our point of view as completely change and our sides overturn entirely. Kushida seduces many people and tries to make Ayanokouji fail, be hated and even even expelled by any means necessary as long as she gets what she wants. When Ayanokouji finds out about her twisted, mixed personality things get spiced up...
Ayanokouji chooses to stick with his class and he does that by siding with Horikita Suzune, a girl in his class. He helps her in her personal life and together they aim for bringing their class at the top. Both Aya and Suzune are inelegant and not so friendly of people. Ayanokouji pushes Suzune to aim higher and helps her gain confidence. At this point it becomes kind of like a mind game between Aya and Suzune and between Kushida. Ayanokouji says some controversial things through the show but it doesn't prevent him for stealling the show. This show is very variant and very colorful. It brought a lot more aspects to it rather than just high school drama and this way refresh so many things and give us, the viewers more flavor to enjoy. The story set isn't only in school and it is beautiful to see it's twists and plot hooks and even the small ones get their screen time. We get to see some interesting flashbacks of Aya's past but they are not really clear and leave us with even more questions than from where we started with. The ending of the season is also genius, it leaves us with taste for more and so much question but at the same time it's dramatic and good. At the ending Suzune and Aya's relationship has come a long way and they are as close as a brother and sister. I won't spoil the ending but each one Aya seems to have soften Suzune's cold heart and make her fully trust him and even thank him (a huge anime achievement - make a tsundere be loyal to you). Also I'll just remind you that at the start she tried to ditch him and distance him away.
What happens romance wise? Why did Ayanokouji get 50s in every single test at his enterance exams? Who is he really? What is his true purpose? and more. If you want to find out you'll just have to watch the anime and figure out for yourselves.
BEST ANIME PROTAGONIST EVER
Now, you may say "Ayanokouji isn't the kind of character you get related to", but think about it, does being a good character has to do with feeling related to it? Ayanokouji isn't the kinda person you get emotionally attached to (at least in the anime but the light novels are a different case). In fact, it seems like Aya is emotionless and that's exactly what is so great about him. Aya isn't the person you relate to, he is the person that you want to be. He is a very wise and interesting character. He does have emotions, he just doesn't really show them to anyone n the anime. Each time there are sticky situations or trouble Ayanokouji finds a solution and finds his way out wisely depending on his improvisation, quick thinking, intelligence and some other skills. Even with his "perfect attitude" Ayanokouji is a very well written character that refreshes many things unlike characters such as Lelouch or Light who are in my eyes boring and bland, sure, they are badass but they have no class, all of them are known for their intelligence. However, Ayanokouji isn't annoying and isn't bland, even he struggles sometimes, let's not forget that even he, the most successful and lucky man in the show is a human being. This guy is a beast, it is like he is the mastermind behind everything that happens, every scene of him is so intense that it makes me want to jump while watching it in the middle of the night, he always thinks ahead and how to benefit from the things for his class and mainly for himself. Ayanokouji is mysterious but when we do get to know a little about him things become even more complicated. He is smart, thinks before he acts and takes risks even if it's not always the best decision, he does what he loves and lives his life on his own, such simple thing and yet amazing. In most anime they usually forget to include that part but in COTE Ayanokouji lives by his own rules. He has a vision and he is very sure of himself. If he has a goal he is very serious about it and knows clearly how to act. He could be really caring and responsible, it just depends on his mood. He is quite spontaneous but he is a very decisive and independence person who knows how to get things done quick and thoroughly. Aya has an amazing background and the anime is a great build up to that. It is a huge cliff hanger so I recommend you check out the light novel afterwards, after all the anime was created in order to boost it and it does that great. The anime is so interesting and thrilling even thought it isn't that easy to understand. The plot is genius and the psychology part is so thrilling that even with the amount of dialogues this anime has it still can and does draw attention. Despite his dead eyes, menacing look and bad social skills of his, Aya does his best in order to get his class to the A spot. Ayanokouji isn't interested in glory, he is offered to be the vice chairman of the Student Council but he refuses, not once but twice. He gambles big time and finally wins but he still keeps it a secret and throws the credit on Suzune even through she never asked for it either. Ayanokouji sees being popular as a burden and thinks it's a good thing to make Suzune compete Kushida, thus helping her character develop.
As you've probably already understand, my guy literally carries the whole plot and makes the most simple dilemmas and situations look insanely deep and significant.
CONCLUSION
This show truly is a masterpiece, the writing is amazing, the character designs match them so much and the coloration work is insane. Studio Lerche did an amazing job, very accurate character designs and such a beautiful animation. The art style is incredible and the coloration work on the eyes alone is crazy and it's worth so much more love and praises because that nobody really talks about it. The eyes of the characters are gorgeous and also the different backgrounds sure are variant and beautiful. It is so consistent and the animation doesn't fail to stand the expectations in every episode anew. The OSTs match the theme of the show and it's genres so good. The main OST is so good, it makes you consecrate on the dialogue and makes you really feel a part of the show. This music is super dramatic and hype that every time it plays you know something is about to go down and it adds to the watching experience so much.
One of the few shows that succeeds in every term and every new element it brings to it. A really really fun watch, I once recommended this show to a friend, he finished it in one day and right after that bought all of the novels that were available at the time. And yes, it's that good.
