None of the characters stand out, with exception of the MC. Boring dialogue, repeating what the viewer has already seen and heard at a redundant attempt to make sure the viewer isn't missing anything. All this accomplishes is making unrealistic, unrelatable characters that speak super unnaturally, taking away from the story. Maybe some people enjoy watching know-it-alls overexplain everything going on, but I find it nothing more than a pain and weak writing.
The only interesting thing about this story is Ayanokouji himself. He's cunning, he's devious, and he puts on this character of being particularly useless to the rest of the characters in the story. Even his closest allies are unaware of his true motivations, and not one person is capable of detecting his next move. While Ayanokouji isn't a perfect character either, he at least makes the anime have purpose. I am particularly interested in how he uses the rest of the characters to perform his will. Everyone to him is a pawn. This isn't some innovative, new character type, but the way the writers have put him together is a little more interesting than it has been in other characters like him. Even the viewer isn't aware of his true abilities or motivations, which does bring a bit of the element of surprise to the story and make it interesting enough to continue watching.
Horikita is annoying, her whole tsundere vibe is overexaggerated and bland. Nothing about her is a redeemable quality. Her only use is being a cover for Ayanokouji's plans. She's a good front, as she stands out as a leader, but that's about it. Kushida is also annoying, but the entire point to her character is that she meddles with the leaders of Class D and gets in the way, and the writers do a decent job of making her out that way, with her playing this character of being empathetic and energetic. At least there's some sort of development going on with Kushida, whereas Horikita has remained the same boring character throughout the two seasons. The other characters, aside from Karuizawa, make no real moves that affect the viewer either.
The music isn't really any good, it just is what it is. While not terrible and still matching the pacing and feel of the story, there could be a much better score.
The standard, boring characters that have to act all big brain, stupid opening titles with quotes from some big brains, and...just everything to do with this anime, make it obvious what the writers are trying to do. They're trying to make another big brain anime, and it's not working. While I find this anime entertaining, I cannot look passed its juvenile writing, lack of character development, and overdone pacing. If it weren't for Ayanokouji, I would not be watching this.
That being said, I do still recommend giving it a watch, at least an attempt. It has a decent enough story, so it's worth it. I just think it's so lame seeing what the writers are trying to make the story out to be while putting no effort into the other characters.
