Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e: 2-nensei-hen
Classroom of the Elite: Year 2

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Prolly one of my first LNs i have ever read, but despite my dislike in reading books this was one of those which pulled me inside the story. Although i know not many people out there would "always" like the story no matter how much of a masterpiece it is (*cough* aot fanbase *cough*). In my opinion a story is decided as a masterpiece when majority of the people like it, the more the people like the higher ranking it gets. So, i am mainly writing this to calm myself to the other negative comments about this LN, more like i had to show my ... own view as well.

This being one of my favourites was a hell of a rollercoaster, i would probably never forget this summer when i read this, probably the best summer i ever had.

Yes, i will stop simping on the the novel and dive into my ratings. At first when i came across the anime i was like it was a meh sort of any average "overpowered" anime sort of vibe, but was watchable, i think i never really dived into this later on, i was aware it had an a LN, since my friends had read this already and were using Ayanakouji pfps all over the place (not saying i am not one of those myself right now). Then i guess a year or two later i was watching some anime compilations and came across this again, and i hoped when it will get a season 2, when i researched a bit on the next season release date and also asking some of my friends i understood that this anime was supposed to promote the Ln or some sort. Well, to be honest this was my sole reason "at first" to read this. Either way i started off from the fourth where the anime had stopped (dont attack my dms, i know you lot being "how can he miss out on these parts blah blah", i am lazy for godsake"). I usually thought LN would be much complicated to read than mangas, well it was a fault on my side for judging too fast, but i understood the true worth of this novel.

Now leaving the first part of course, i know this is supposed to be a review about the 2nd year, but i was lazy to post both reviews so forget that. Starting with Ayanakouji his intentions were never revealed at the beginning giving the reader more of a mixed feeling of anxiousness, confusion, thrill, tension etc. and as additional bonuses even drops of sweat and tears. I think some people dont think this way of writing, that is mainly because of plot armor which is basically an invisible barrier that protects the mc no matter what, but that as well is can be subjective is some manner. To me it felt like plot armor was basically non-existent, because the main plot revolves around Ayankouji expulsion and danger in different ways, and it was at this 2nd year novel where it had peaked. Imagining the first years and second battling Ayankouji would be normally thought as "exaggeration" but i really do think if he is the so-called "masterpiece" he should be able to escape any situation possible, but of course this isnt the case, the way outcomes of his plan plays out depends on the situation he was mainly in, for example his situation was really hard to get out of and he lacked the power to crush the opponent he would normally escape and not do anything extra to avoid risk, but if it was a situation easy to handle he would implement a strategy which would be the most beneficial. And i would say he has peaked of killing 6 birds with one stone at one point in the plot.

Especially in second year when the unusual combinations of the first years who were both strong and smart had amazing above-average strategies planned against Ayanakouji, they do have my respect for that, but the only downside is that they underestimate their opponent and lack the analysing prowess Ayanakouji posses, although the white room student did make my skin crawl after his plans were revealed in 4.5, which i think is the best competition Ayanakouji can get at the moment. It's not only Ayanakouji, but the characters all around him who have their stories revolving around the main plot and playing it's part at specific times. i would however skip those and mainly give overview of Ayanakuji's story since this would be never-ending. Now resuming my point at hand, Kinugasa had seriously done an amazing job with the storyline, its all about the random plot points which plays out in the start having no relation and its all spread out here and there, which starts connecting. And its not only at the end that these points connect, Kinugasa devised the story to play out in such a way and had timed when and where certain scenarios have to take place in order to make it both easier and sensible to read. When i was reading the final part of 4.5 listening to Beethoven Für Elise, was a truly a blissful time in my life. It was at this time i knew that a main character cannot get any better than this, it also helped me to trust that Ayanakouji will handle the White room student with ease, because his expressions were portrayed that way in the end.

One of the good things about the second years is that it was beautifully planned out. With the intergrade battle, president Nagumo's affect on the plot. development of certain character was certainly delivered. Although i guess some people wouldnt see it that way, it would usually be because the difference in how you imagine the scenario to play out in you head.
To me this was a different feeling than the first year, mainly due to the fact because Ayanakouji had peaked my expectations for him and this novel was all about how he would maintain that status of him.

As i reached 4.5 i endlessly started to search up Vol 5 release date, cause i didnt want to get stuck on a this part. The white room student whom i will not name yet, but his presence and plans were one of the best out of any character so far only second to Ayanakouji. Its just that this made my feel insecure about my expectations for Ayanakouji, and started thinking will there finally be another person who would outsmart him. But sadly i knew what would happen, I had to hold on to these doubts until the next Volume comes out, yes it is truly sad, I am in pain, I change my views, this sucks, dont read it, no just kidding if you do have time this would definitely be one of a good ways to pass some time.

This may sound like a really illogical way of thinking since i am placing my emotions and not my brain, but that is irrelevant to me at this point. While reading this the ratings and constructive criticism is at the bottom of my list, because i mainly read this to feel relaxed and take out my stress on the flow of the story, and just let me sweep me away into the depth.

Also, while reading this if you feel i am not expressing the excitement compared to the scores i gave, dont think about that. I am sweating typing all this, because this is the best story i read so far.

[To lazy to correct my spelling error]

While Year 1 felt like a masterpiece in some ways, Year 2 seems to be considerable weaker. Characters built up in Y1 as major antagonists are suddenly mostly harmless and meek. Characters developed to be important are suddenly nonexistent as if their progress never happened. Talk about gaslighting..

In Y1, there were so many characters being introduced and developed and yet basically none of them felt one dimensional.
Even way more characters were introduced in Y2 but the sad price paid was serious corners cutting. One dimensionality is a thing here, up to the point that even some of old characters feel more like a ... caricature. "I want to add mooore characters", says mangaka and perhaps it is his dream to break some record in handling so many of them. Unfortunately, he already cannot handle properly this much at this point. Why diluting so much if there are so many interesting personalities waiting (in vain) for more depth?

Oh, and the harem thingy. It was actually pretty decently done in Y1 where it was well understandable why Kiyotaka induced feelings in some girls. He also did not shy using these feeling for his strategies. It was part of the story and not purely a fan service.
Here however, it is like in every boring harem - he looks at a new girl and she gets wet.
It is also visible in short stories that feel like fillers or crude repeatings. Most of it is exactly the same as when it happened from Kiyotaka perspective and the benefit of having other character to interpret the situations is almost unused. What a wasted opportunity. Most of them have a single prupose to add a single sentence: "My heart beats so fast when he looks at me / talks to me / exists". Compared to Y1, it seriously feels boring.

I am probably too harsh (I still liked it as a whole) but I cannot avoid feeling that it is falling from creative uniqueness to bland mediocrity. Also mangaka saying cheerfully that he does not actually care much about girls and their progress and stories is pretty weird.

This ,,Creation" is like slapping a big piece of unprepared meat on a little clean side plate.

YouZitsu is a specific title, that despise it's flaws, hate and of course edgy kindergarten fanbase was at some point a really solid, entertaining and overall, interesting story, but unfortunately we were bestowed with utter disappointment called ,,Year 2", that not only is bland in a way it feels like every volume is a build up for another tome, but what is more ridiculous ruins the entire development characters received in Year 1.

Shortly, one of the main leads that were carrying this show got a complete degrade. For ... instance Ayanokoji feels more robotic and dead inside along with release of Volume 0 that made him a god damn robocop at this point, whilst Karuizawa that had a strong influence in year 1 and went through drastic changes, not only does she get like 2 pages of content but becomes even more miserable than she was previously.

We don't stop here of course, because there is more! In year 2 the so-called ,,villains" despite greatness of their backstory or promise they show early on, turn out to be just some bugs that MC ultimately spits on because, you know, Ayanokoji is great, Ayanokoji is godlike, Ayankoji never loses and is 1954 steps in front of you!

And I could go on with certain aspects like this but the last aspect I will present is just hillarious. This show had some harem-like vibes but you could stand it with the outcome of 11.5 and it just being not that visible. Year 2 is just a straight-on harem, you literally get short stories when some random ass girl that no1 even remembers falls in love with Ayano because she felt like someone can notice her presence. Now if there is any girl in MC's range of breath she instantly falls for him, those are the vibes the show gives.

Overall it is a total big black stain to the franchise, if someone looked forward to his relations with other characters you will be better off with some fan wrote stuff, because all you will get is boring story, degrade of characters, ruined premises of Year 1 and every female going gung-ho on MC.

If by some chance the show redeems itself in last volumes I will gladly change the rating.
(I highly doubt it tho)