Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 2nd Season

Life back on the cruise following the Island Special Examination is anything but smooth sailing. Almost immediately after their return, the first-year students of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School face yet another special exam, with both class and individual points on the line.

In addition to the complicated ruleset, more issues arise in the form of Kakeru Ryuuen and Kei Karuizawa. Angered by the previous test's outcome, Ryuuen is dead set on outdoing every class in the new challenge using any means necessary. Meanwhile, Karuizawa, a crucial pillar of Class D, is close to crumbling under the pressure of her past.

The stage is now set for Kiyotaka Ayanokouji to once again—using the full extent of his planning, foresight, and ruthless manipulation—steer Class D to victory as dangerously close enemy forces try to bring it down.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Ayanokouji, Kiyotaka Main

Chiba, Shouya Japanese

Horikita, Suzune Supporting

Kitou, Akari Japanese

Karuizawa, Kei Supporting

Taketatsu, Ayana Japanese

Sakayanagi, Arisu Supporting

Hidaka, Rina Japanese

Ichinose, Honami Supporting

Touyama, Nao Japanese

Sakura, Airi Supporting

Ichimichi, Mao Japanese

Ryuuen, Kakeru Supporting

Mizunaka, Masaaki Japanese

Kouenji, Rokusuke Supporting

Iwasawa, Toshiki Japanese

Kushida, Kikyou Supporting

Kubo, Yurika Japanese

Chabashira, Sae Supporting

Satou, Rina Japanese

Tanaka, Shou Producer

Iizuka, Aya Producer

Sotokawa, Akihiro Producer

Tokumura, Kenichi Producer

Reviews

Sep 4, 2024

TryingT0L1ve

Recommended

The second season of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e is a noticeable improvement compared to the first. While the first season felt like we were simply passive observers with little engagement, the second season shifts gears. We begin to feel more involved, immersed in every plan and strategy, which immediately boosts the enjoyment by at least 50%. After all, part of the fun in a series like this is seeing whether the schemes and tactics will succeed or fail, and being part of that process makes the anime much more compelling.

However, despite this improvement, there remains a lingering frustration with the lack of ... character development, particularly with Ayanokoji. He was designed to be apathetic and emotionally detached, which works for the narrative to a degree, but it can still feel unsatisfying. Even when he loses the race, showing that he’s not invincible, the lack of any real growth or emotional evolution leaves something to be desired. Watching a character who doesn’t strive for anything, who has no desires, no meaningful relationships, and no personal goals, feels almost like watching a story about an inanimate object. Even though I understand that’s the intended effect, it doesn’t make it any less frustrating for me as a viewer.

I can’t help but think that the anime would have benefited from a darker tone. The animation style is very typical for a high school anime, and while the narrative calls for a more intense, suspenseful atmosphere, the setting remains too light and conventional. If they had leaned into a darker, more mysterious vibe, it could have elevated the series to something truly captivating. Instead, we’re left with a school anime where the protagonist remains emotionally vacant, and that detracts from what could be a more gripping story.

Despite these criticisms, I’m still finding the series enjoyable up to this point (second season). However, the third season will need to deliver a significant leap in terms of story development. The first season was lackluster because we were still in the dark about everything and just passively watching. The second season improved because we started to be involved in the plans. But now, how will the third season evolve? That’s the real question, and I’m eager to see how they manage to raise the stakes further.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Mar 10, 2024

Smilomaniac

Mixed Feelings

My reviews usually focus less on the show itself and more about the practical viewing experience, with exceptions of course.

'Classroom of the Elite' is a psychological drama mixed with a 'who's about do it' (rather than a who done it) puzzle of where seemingly impossible situations play out and are explained at the end, so you get to guess how the characters do it and why.

If you can handle the smug over-intelligent teenagers being ludicrously predictive (as in they predict the future, not that they're predictable) and the pseudo-Machiavellian scheming, then this is highly entertaining.
Regardless of how good or bad these seasons are as adaptations ... of the light novels, the premise has massive issues.

The idea, as it continues to be, is that high schoolers are put in an ultra competitive situation where their behaviour and performance is rated and classes are pit against each other, earning on-site currency as rewards. They are occasionally thrust into situations where they have to compete directly in events and must devise strategies and figure out how to win or make the others lose... and that's where the story sort of breaks apart, because this season introduces a literal extreme torture situation that is marked as brutal and being reprehensible, not to mention several situations of severe violence.

This has earlier been hand-waved with "oh but you don't have proof" (and even when there is video proof, it's hardly believed), but that excuse has become not just implausible but is breaking suspension of disbelief, where students are basically left to their own devices, if only they're clever enough to do it out of sight of witnesses and cameras.
The writing is very clever, it does try to explain everything at length, but the premise is breaking apart as it's just not believable. Even the 2000's "Battle Royale" is more plausible and more narratively coherent than this.

You mean to tell me that a school that encourages scheming, paranoia, bribing, backstabbing and aggressive means is producing the kind of members that society wants? I don't think so. You can argue for ruthless and strong leaders, but a hundred of them a year, if not ore of them, is only a detriment and not a benefit to society.

Still, it is entertaining and if you can turn off your suspension of disbelief, then go for it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Feb 2, 2023

HalfGrownHollow

Not Recommended

Funny

Honestly complete and utter trash. This anime tries too hard to look thought-out, intelligent and smart or whatever. Decided to suffer through this piece of garbage with my friend, who by the way, is an awesome guy unlike this thing. This waste of time couldn't even be a meme. I shouldn't waste my time further writing a review on this pretentious mess. We are going to make better use of our time and watch some anime that are worth watching at least a second of, which would be Zombie Land Saga. Also, I'm willing to fight any fan of this dung pie, anytime, anyday. Would ... be my pleasure.

Anyway, go ahead and watch it. You'll learn to appreciate even anime like Log Horizon which is also trash, just not on this level.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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