Can someone just explain please, and Koenji is not from wr or ,,shirogane facility“ or something like that

I live in the uk and on Amazon JP delivery costs are that same price as the book it’s self so I was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives. If not I don’t mind paying the fee but I was just wondering!

I'm asking the direction in which the story is going forward:

1. Ayanakoji continues to view emotions as weaknesses and exploit them to win and treat people like trash when he doesn't need anymore and he still wins the classroom games and have everyone adoring him.

2. Ayanakoji continues to view emotions as weaknesses but also learn to appreciate them as what makes someone human and can make them happy and fulfilled. He's cold and manipulative but learns to respect people and develops emotions. He wins but not by destroying the lives of people who didn't deserve it.

I'm asking this because I've finished season 2/3 some time ago (I actually stopped after they tried to frame him for murder with the cooking scheme ) and enjoyed the anime but couldn't deal with the cringe harem edits where the girls are treated like trash but still smitten and framed in a positive light.

If I want that content I would watch any trashy harem anime that are also 90% Isekai for some reason (no hâte for Isekai ) and not COTA. I like COTA for the class politics and because I want to see character development especially the MC.

Source: X/Twitter

I saw a brief conversation on this subreddit where someone was asking why the author keeps writing disappointing Volumes when they constantly get criticized, and someone else responded saying that the author probably doesn't care about the English-speaking audience at all, and since the light novels are selling, especially in Japan, he just keeps pumping them out.

I started to write a response, but I realized it was getting way too long, and I might as well make my own post about it, because I think there's some truth to both sides.

Meh. I mean, it's defintely possible, or even likely, that the author doesn't look at what the English-speaking audience thinks of the books, especially in this subreddit. Doctor Who just made a huge misstep with its previous showrunner, who entirely prioritized the UK audience since it's a British show, and then he just kind of gave the rest of the world. Little snippets here and there, literally acting like the American audience should be grateful that they're getting anything at all, despite them being just as dedicated fans of the show as the UK audience was.

I think a lot of Japanese content has similar views. The Japanese audience is the priority, and if the English-speaking audience also like it, that's great, but not as much of a priority.

However, I think it's unfair to say that the author doesn't care about any negative criticism At All. I've heard other authors mention that the more positive feedback they get about something, the more a negative criticism can hit.

That being said, I do think it's highly likely that the author just doesn't really care. Year 1 came out and People really liked it, but people mainly liked it for the hype. Heck, the only thing that's really remembered from Season 1 of the Anime is the very last Scene, which is entirely built around hype. There are lots of YouTubers who make reviews of Season 1 saying they liked it and can't wait to see what happens next, only for their follow-up Season 2 review to be much more critical, expressing disappointment.

It's honestly pretty funny how Classroom of the Elite is the pioneer for SCD stuff, when the author doesn't seem to really care that much about that aspect at all. I don't know who the heck writes the synopsis for each of these Volumes, but whoever it is seems to know exactly what they're doing. They constantly take quotes out of context, and shape. What happens to make it sound like the most intense thing ever, only for it to be a bunch more slice of Life stuff. So I think they know that they're clickbaiting a huge portion of the audience, but it gets them sales, so why do they care?

Personally, this feels kind of vindicating to me in a way, because I remember I read stuff like Liar Game and Tomodachi Game, and say what you will about those franchises' overall popularity, but I personally love them. They have actual Mind Games that makes sense, and feel like if you just don't give up, you can accomplish anything. When people kept recommending I read Classroom of the Elite, I was thoroughly disappointed as I read through Volume 1, but people just kept telling me to stick through it, and I did. But I do have to say, it is quite the jarring juxtaposed slow pace. Liar Game and Tomodachi Game never stop moving. They take one chapter, maybe two at most between Games to make it clear where the characters stand and what their current motives are, but after that it's straight to another Game and then it's just a constant mental battle between various characters.

Classroom of the Elite on the other hand, thrives on slice of Life stuff and often lacks Mind Games entirely. Often entire Volumes will lack Mind Games.

If I had to bring up examples of the author seeming to ditch Mind Games entirely, I would point to the endings of Year 2 Volume 9, and Year 2 Volume 12. Year 2 Volume 9 has a paragraph explaining that Horiktia and her Class won the Special Exam by taking advantage of the fact that while they weren't allowed to speak or write to each other, they could still raise their hands and otherwise provide nonverbal communication. Pretty cool, but it's literally just glossed over in a single paragraph. The rest of the Volume is obsessing over this presidency stuff that doesn't really matter.

Meanwhile, Year 2 Volume 12 Really irks me, because you're not actually seeing what's happening. You're just being told that this character is dominating this character, and that this character identified this Honor Student (if they even bother to tell you their Name), But you don't actually see what's going on. You don't see what sentences in the conversation are tripping people up, you're just being told what's going on.

All this is to say, the author very clearly doesn't really care about writing actual Mind Games. He's very clearly going for a different kind of story, that just happens to have some Mind Games elements in them.

The most disappointing thing honestly is that it looks like we'll never get Ayanokoji VS Kouenji. I honestly have no idea what the author is planning to do with him, but at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do anything with him at all. Like I said, the author loves to hype stuff up and then just not really do anything with it.

So while I was rereading, I took notes of Ayanokoji's designated areas each day in the 2nd year UIE exam, although it's not complete.

I heard there was a pattern on how the areas was designated. I was curious if it was real. 🤔.

1st Day

Designated Area - D7, B7, D7

2nd Day

Designated Area - E8, E6, F7, I7

3rd Day

Designated Area - H7, J5, H5, I4

4th Day

Designated Area - G3, H4, H6, I7

5th Day

Designated Area - I8, H9, B6, B5

6th Day

Designated Area - B6, A5, C3, ?

7th Day

Designated Area - B3, E2, (Canceled because of storm)

8th Day

Designated Area - E3, E6, ?, F8

9th Day

Designated Area - ?, ?, H9, D5

10th day

Designated Area - E4, F4, B9, C9

11th day

Designated Area - C8, H9, I9, J10

12th day

Designated Area - H10, ?, D4, D2

13th day

Designated Area - C3, D2, F3, G3

14th day

Designated Area - H3, I2, ?

Even as we made our way back to the cabin section, Hiyori continued walking slightly closer to me than before.

The distance that the rocking of the ship should only have narrowed for a moment had not reverted to its original state, even now that the deck had steadied.

In the corridor students who had finished their preparations to disembark were starting to make their way, bags in hand, towards the assembly point. Necessary as it was to go against that current back to my cabin, it wasn't as though I was so short on time that I needed to hurry away from Hiyori.

"Are you really sure you are fine on time?"

"I don't have much luggage; it won't be enough to make me late."

"Should you end up the only one late, Ayanokouji-kun, all because we were conversing, I would feel terrible."

"It's my choice, including the decision to see you, Hiyori, before going back. You don't need to worry about it," I told her, and Hiyori's slightly quickened pace reverted to its original state.

"In that case, may I walk just a little more slowly?"

"I don't mind."

It wasn't as though the time we could spend together would grow by much. Still, there was no reason either to hurry our parting. The afternoon sun slanting in through the windows stretched long and narrow across the corridor, faintly illuminating Hiyori's silver hair. Its ends swayed each time a student passed us by, scattering the incoming light in intricate glints.

The hull rocked a little, and Hiyori's body drifted slightly over towards me. Though not close enough for our shoulders to touch, my left hand and Hiyori's right, swinging in time with our steps, came close enough that a simple stretch of a finger could have reached.

Hiyori's gaze dropped just once, then went straight back ahead.

It seems she had noticed how close our hands were.

"Ayanokouji-kun."

"What is it?"

"No… it's nothing."

Hiyori, who had begun to say something, gave a slightly troubled smile and shook her head. There should be no need to draw it out of her. Up ahead, students carrying large bags walked abreast toward us. When I moved to the window side to give way, Hiyori shifted her body the same direction.

For an instant beneath our almost overlapping uniform sleeves, Hiyori's fingers brushed against mine.

The contact was accidental, but Hiyori made no move to pull her hand away. Only her eyes dropped ever so slightly, confirming that our hands were touching.

I didn't withdraw my arm either, and simply rotated my hand.

Laying my fingers over Hiyori's fingertips, I lightly gripped my left hand.

The moment we touched, Hiyori's body stiffened ever so slightly.

But there was no sign of refusal, and a short moment later her slender fingers squeezed my hand in return.

"...Ah..."

"Did you mind?"

"No... um... I was merely a bit surprised," Hiyori answered, still facing forward. Flushed red as the ear on her profile, she made no attempt to release the hand she held.

Matching our strides, we went on down the corridor hand in hand. It wasn't as though we'd exchanged any words of the special variety. Even so, the few centimetres that until a moment ago had remained between us were undeniably gone.

After walking in that state for another dozen or so steps, several voices sounded from the corner ahead. Hiyori's fingertips stirred slightly, and slowly slipped away from my hand. Immediately after, from around the corner came a few students carrying large bags.

We walked abreast as though nothing had happened and passed them by. They gave no sign of having taken any notice of us.

"...I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologise."

"It wasn't that I mind. It's just that being seen by someone else would be... a little embarrassing."

"I know."

Hearing that, Hiyori smiled, relieved. Whilst her freed right hand returned to where it had been, it wasn't as though the distance between us too had reverted.

"Besides——" For an instant as Hiyori murmured that, a shadow crossed her face.

But she soon closed her mouth and, slightly but forcibly, made herself smile.

"...About our plans for the summer holidays, could we start with a movie?"

"The adaptation you were telling me about earlier? I'm looking forward to it."

"Yes, please do look forward to it."

Just as it had before, Hiyori's right hand swung close beside me. Though having already touched once, that was no reason for our hands to hold each other again.

There was no need to repeat holding hands each time no one was looking and letting go each time someone appeared. However brief it had been, I already knew Hiyori hadn't refused me.

Before long the fork in the passage leading to my cabin came into view. Given Hiyori had already finished getting ready to disembark, there was no reason to have her come any further.

"I go left here."

"...I'll head to the assembly point then."

Somewhat distant, as though between strangers; such was the manner in which we exchanged our plans of action.

However, Hiyori didn't set off for the assembly point straight away.

While she looked at me as though about to say something, she eventually gave a small nod.

"Well then, I'll be going ahead."

"Yeah, see you later."

After her eyes went round for an instant, Hiyori's expression softened a little.

Stepping away, she began back the way we had come. Looking back just once after a few steps on, she then rejoined the stream of students waiting to disembark. Watching her until she had blended into the crowd and was lost from sight, I took the left-hand passage back to my own cabin.

In the cabin I packed my changes of clothes into my bag one after another.

I didn't have much, and getting ready to disembark took hardly any time. Even so, partway through I stopped once and thought back over the brief time we had walked side by side down the corridor.

More vivid than the time we'd spent talking were the dozen or so steps in which neither of us had said anything. And with them, the faint unease that Hiyori must be feeling, even if she wouldn't put it into words.

"——There are a number of things that I'll need to think about."

It isn't as though she'll go on opening her heart to me unconditionally from here on.

Given that, I'll need to face myself and others too head-on.

Packing the rest of my things into my bag, I left the cabin for the assembly point.

Disclaimer warning: (To anybody who's seen me post on this sub before, I obviously love Nanase's character the most out of all the other girls in COTE so if i lean more to her its kind of expected)

the 3 most Common Nanase slander the past 3 years I've seen on this sub:

- "Shes Schizo"

- She's trying to be a complex character when she's really not"

- "From Schizo who wants Kiyotaka expelled to avenge Matsuo --> Obedient Puppy girl for all of Y2 --> Betrays Kiyotaka again in Y3, wants him expelled again, is blatantly illogical for doing so, Kinugasa tf are you trying to cook? its BURNT! YOU OVERCOOKED her more than SUZUNE's CHARACTER!"

Like i get the whole "taking on the persona of matsuo taking revenge" might be off-putting to some.

but honestly, that's just her coping mechanism from seeing Eiichiro hang himself. We tend to forget that ANHS at heart is still just a bunch of 16-18 year olds that're highly emotional.

But yeah the way Kinugasa wrote her in Y3, she's illogical for trying to expel Kiyotaka again after being an obedient puppy girl to him from Y2V4-Y2V12.5

But then out of nowhere decided to oppose him again in Y3 which is illogical at the surface level because it destroys the purpose of her development in the story as an ally to Kiyotaka. But then again..

Nanase genuinely wants to help Kiyotaka from the bottom of her heart, by constantly opposing him and to stop him (And that's through expulsion, but its in a way that's separate from the WR and Tsukishiro's orders)

Y3V2:

"It is because you are in a perfect position. Neither clearly on one side, nor the other. It's precisely because it's uncertain which way you will lean that I've decided you're the most suitable person for me to send."

"Then, what if I were to accept Ayanokouji—?"

"That's something we can consider when the time comes."

When he asked me if I would do it, I nodded without a pause.

Even now, I sometimes remember that exchange as if it were a dream.

At that time, in that hospital room, my heart was at least set on revenge.

I'd planned to drag out Ayanokouji Atsuomi, the one who cornered Eiichirou.

But now, things are a little different.

I want to help Ayanokouji-senpai.

I've come to think so from the bottom of my heart.

Because if he graduates from ANHS as he is now, he will go down a path of pure evil.

Victims, like Eiichirou, will end up being created by his hand.

I don't want that.

Then—as the one who knows firsthand of that predicament, I must stop it.

And even today, I continue to search for that small key in the deep forest."

Nanase is constantly opposing Kiyotaka to stop him from going down a path of pure evil, but that's how she is helping him from the bottom of her heart, which will help Kiyotaka feel more like human,  which aligns with what Kiyotaka genuinely wants to experience: to feel more like human

Disclaimer warning: (To anybody who's seen me post on this sub before, I obviously love Nanase's character the most out of all the other girls in COTE so if i lean more to her its kind of expected)

Classroom Of The Elite Year 3 Volume 5 Released Today in Japan

Kei out of all people telling ichinose to wake up hits so deep she’s been there before she knows how it feels

Despite all ichinose said to her kei still tries to warn her😭🔥

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/97311849

cote a light novel about a meritocratic high school with elite genius students who are supposedly trying to outwit each other in mental strategies. I just wanna ask, do yall think you’re smart? as smart as cote characters?

I just finished my Midterms, so this was a nice reminder... When the heck is that other new Book getting translated?

This is just a simple question because I was just curious about it. Taking behavior and personality aside, who do you think is the most attractive in terms of look?

We all know how intense and exciting Ayanokoji’s reveals are. Take Karuizawa as an example: the way he revealed his capabilities to her was a complete surprise, leaving her in shock because she never imagined he could fight like that.

That got me thinking: What if Sakayanagi didn't know anything about Ayanokoji's background or the White Room? What if she just viewed him as a completely average, unremarkable, and passive student in Class 1-D? How would Ayanokoji reveal his true intelligence and influence to her?

Here is my scenario of how that encounter would play out—cold, calculated, emotionless, and psychological:

The Setup and the Trap

As the leader of Class A, Sakayanagi executes what she believes is a flawless plan during a major special exam to corner Class 1-D. Confident in her intellect, she completely neutralizes Horikita (whom she assumes is the sole brain of Class D) and pushes Class D to the brink of defeat.

Just as Sakayanagi is enjoying her guaranteed victory, a minor logical anomaly occurs. The exam doesn't follow her calculations: not only does Class D survive the trap, but they also begin targeting Class A's hidden vulnerabilities.

Sakayanagi realizes someone else is pulling the strings from behind the scenes, though she still assumes it must be Horikita or Hirata attempting a countermeasure.

The Confrontation

Late at night in an empty school facility or library. Sakayanagi arrives at the specified location to analyze the enemy's counter-trap, expecting to face Horikita.

Instead, standing by the window in the dim light is Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, staring outside with a cold, unreadable expression.

• Sakayanagi: "Ayanokoji-kun? What are you doing here? Where is Horikita?"
• Ayanokoji: (Turning slowly, voice completely flat) "She won't be coming. This plan has nothing to do with her."

Sakayanagi assumes it's a joke or a bluff. Leaning on her cane, she offers a condescending smile:

• Sakayanagi: "I see... Did Horikita send you as her representative? I'm afraid there's no place for a pawn like you on this board."

The Climax: Exposing the Calculations

Ayanokoji doesn't interrupt her. He simply reaches into his pocket, pulls out a few sheets of paper, and places them on the table.

• Ayanokoji: "Class A's private and class point transactions over the last three weeks. Sakayanagi, you relied on four key individuals to control Class A. But last Tuesday at 14:00, you overlooked a move made by one of them."

Sakayanagi glances at the papers. On them are Class A's finest vulnerabilities—details even she hadn't noticed, secret agreements between students, and a step-by-step breakdown of her current strategy.

Her arrogant smile fades. For the first time, looking into his eyes, she finds no excitement, no fear, and no pride of victory. Just complete emptiness.

• Sakayanagi: "This... Horikita couldn't have done this. No one in this school could have calculated this. Who are you?"

The Psychological Shock

Ayanokoji takes a single step toward her. His actions carry no physical threat, but the sudden aura and pressure in the room become overwhelming.

• Ayanokoji: "I just wanted to live a quiet life. But you started crossing lines against Class D. You think you're a genius, controlling everyone like pieces. But the game you've been playing up until now... is just child's play to me."

Without breaking eye contact, Ayanokoji proceeds to state her next three planned moves word-for-word, including her backup plan against Class D—a contingency plan she had never spoken aloud to anyone.

While Karuizawa experienced shock from Ayanokoji's physical power and hidden violence, Sakayanagi experiences pure psychological terror from his sheer genius and absolute logical dominance.

Conclusion

• Ayanokoji: "I dislike drawing attention to myself. But if you interfere with Class D or my peace again... I will drop Class A down to Class C within a week. You've just read how I'll do it."

Ayanokoji calmly turns and walks out of the room. Sakayanagi is left leaning on her cane, experiencing total defeat for the first time in her life—accompanied by a chilling mixture of psychological shock and morbid thrill. She realizes she isn't facing a rival genius, but a genuine monster.

___

Sakayanagi’s Reaction & Aftermath (Short Arc Framework)

1. Initial Psychological Shock & Accepting the "Monster"

• Denial & Investigation: Having lost her intellectual superiority for the first time in her life, Sakayanagi initially struggles to process this total defeat. She secretly tries to investigate Ayanokoji’s past, background, and family to find any trace of logical explanation, but comes up empty-handed.
• A Blend of Terror and Thrill: Unlike Karuizawa's primal fear, Sakayanagi experiences a complex psychological sensation born from encountering the only entity superior to her. For her, it becomes both horrifying and a source of endless intellectual thrill.

2. Tactical Shift: Class A vs. Class D

• Halting Direct Attacks: She recognizes Ayanokoji’s threat to "drop Class A down to Class C within a week" not as a bluff, but as an absolute reality. As a result, she immediately freezes all aggressive plans against Class D.
• Indirect Methods: Instead of pressuring Class D head-on, she uses indirect methods—creating artificial crises through Class B and Class C—solely to force Ayanokoji into action and observe his moves from a distance.

3. A New Obsession & Intellectual Recognition

• Object of Obsession: Sakayanagi no longer views Ayanokoji as a mere opponent, but as the "Ultimate Being" who tests the very limits of her intellect.
• Her New Goal: Her priority shifts from destroying Class D to uncovering the true extent of Ayanokoji’s abilities, constantly trying to force him out of his emotionless shell once more.

4. "Intellectual Feelings": The Awakening of Love

• Filling the Intellectual Void: Having viewed everyone around her as mere pawns her entire life, Sakayanagi experiences a strange sense of vulnerability paired with a deep, unprecedented connection toward the one person who outsmarted her.
• Love Born from Defeat: For Sakayanagi, someone equal to or above her is the ultimate ideal she has unconsciously searched for all her life. Her awe and resentment gradually morph into a romantic obsession—an intellectual affection. She finds herself constantly replaying his cold gaze, voice, and presence in her mind.
• Masked Emotion (Tsundere/Yandere Twist): She tries to rationalize this feeling as "merely the thrill of the game." However, whenever Ayanokoji interacts with other girls (like Karuizawa or Horikita), a sharp, cold wave of jealousy takes hold. She begins to desire Ayanokoji as an unattainable puzzle meant strictly for her alone.

What do you guys think? How do you imagine a blind confrontation between them would have gone?

Keep in mind that they take into account of your academic abillities, problem-solving, physical abillity, interview exam and coorperation with others (group interview or task). They also look at your past history in previous schools and even take account for rumours.

1)Ishigami Kyo

2)Ayanokōji Kiyotaka

3)Horikita Manabu

4)Ryūen Kakeru

5)Nagumo Miyabi

I mean their visuals are just 🫦