Classroom of the Elite (Light Novel) Vol. 9

ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ [Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e] (Novel) #9

by Syougo Kinugasa, Tomoseshunsaku (Illustrator)

THE MANY CRIMES OF ICHINOSE HONAMI

Sakayanagi puts her plan to crush Ichinose into motion, spreading rumors of her alleged war criminal history through the school like wildfire. With Class B at a loss, and Ichinose herself uncharacteristically reluctant to fight back, can Ayanokouji step in to save her reputation? Meanwhile, Kushida makes contact with student council president Nagumo in what might prove to be a very dangerous alliance, indeed.

Genres: Light Novel, Fiction, Manga, School, Young Adult, Mystery, Slice Of Life

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

Associated Names:
* Syougo Kinugasa / Shōgo Kinugasa (English)
* 衣笠彰梧 (Japanese)

Reviews

[Leon Mcintosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read this series the more I realize that Ayanokoji is the embodiment of the 48 laws of power. Gonna be honest, Ichinose big secret isn't even that big of a deal honestly. But this could be due to coming from a Western perspective rather then eastern. The amount of planning involved for this one was really interesting especially since a good part of it is used to set up the next volume. This volume was just a precursor to Ayanokoji vs Sakayanagi showdown. But like an RPG, he has to do a bit a side quest and set ups. Overall, not a bad read.

[Mika (Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's cool how each volume is a bit different based on the atmosphere/mood. Last volume was rather tense, but this one now is more on the emotional side. But the extra volumes like 4.5 or 7.5 are usually lighthearted and funny. It surely isn't easy to bring up every mood for a book series, especially one that doesn't fit the standard mood of the series (here: tense and mysterious). I like how much variety the series has despite the environment never changing: All characters are in a elite school and aren't allowed to leave the school grounds. I just noticed now that even though the place never changes the characters and the events still change and progress over time. It's just like how Ayanokouji despite being in the white room all his lives still develops differently than he was thought to at the start when he was in this place and decided to leave it. The place isn't changing you, but everything else. The people change you, time changes you, but not the place.

Anyway, let's start with the review. Not having much to say since this volume was rather short and it had only one major event happening. Rumours aren't really my thing and I found myself to grew rather annoyed by them, so seeing that this volume featured school rumours felt for me a bit too cliché. Of course it's a highschool so that rumours spread should be normal, but this isn't a normal school so that put me kinda off (also in the anime). Though I liked how a character was developing through this and became strong by it. Also, some characters that used to be shown a lot in previous volumes aren't that much in the spotlight anymore like they used to be since the last volume and even though it's kinda sad, I'm excited and curious to meet new characters and see a different side of the ones we already met throughout the story.

I'm kinda disappointed that I disagree this time with Sakayanagi-san (about her statement regarding criminals), but I like how she is more of an aggressive type as this is contradicting her physical state and gives her character a bit (more) of extraordinary attributes. I think it fits her character more as it wouldn't make her character strong if she is physically weak and also mentally. Of course aggression doesn't have to mean that one is strong mentally but this shows that she doesn't fear away and doesn't make herself smaller than she is, which would be disappointing since people already see her as this due to her physical restriction. She is smart and knows how and when to play her cards, making her not just to appear strong but also be strong as she doesn't react negatively when she losses and is ready to loose to gain something later.

While reading I noticed that it is a bit about social norms and about the question what is right and wrong. I definitely saw the fault in the character and definitely agree that one needs to be punished to be made clear of bad behaviour, but I don't believe that one needs to be punished the entire life for one thing a person did wrong. Of course it depends how severe it was, but for this case I honestly believe that it wouldn't be fair to punish this character once more, I believe that this character learnt its lessons.
But it was definitely interesting to see how other characters reacted to this, as it also told me more about their personality.

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This volume's time was also in February, especially the Valentine's Day, which is funny as it's almost Valentine's Day in real life too.

StoryGraph review

[Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only God knows how far ahead Kiyotaka thinks. Maybe He doesn't have a clue either.
Only God can create a scale to measure his level of badassness.
Only God's omniscience matches his intelligence.
In all likelihood, there isn't a single man on this planet that can face off Kiyotaka in a battle of intellect. What a genius you are, Kiyopon!

[neekubee · Rating 3 out of 5]

There weren't much noteworthy events that happened in this volume. It's good to know more of the characters though.

[kii · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

This volume revolves around exploring Ichinose’s dark past. In an attempt to destroy Class B’s leader, Class A’s Sakayanagi spreads the rumor that Ichinose Honami is a criminal. But is it only a rumor?

Not one of my favorite volumes, TBH. The plot was a bit lukewarm. Your typical Ayanokouji being god and predicting every damn thing. The only thing I can’t comprehend is why Ayanokouji would save Ichinose? Is it an attack against Nagumo? Or does he just care for Ichinose? If it is against Nagumo, I forgot why he was helping Horikita-senpai in the first place. This is what happens when you have a memory of a goldfish.

Also, I am now confused. There were scenes hinting at possible Karuizawa x Ayanokouji and Ichinose x Ayanokouji. Hmmm, interesting, interesting. I mean, I get why Ayanokouji would add himself as a target of the rumors but why specifically that rumor? I feel like there’s an ulterior motive somewhere. Probably like he mentioned before that they can continue more openly. Karuizawa, however, is such a tsundere, and I don’t know what to make of it.

Anyway, on to the next.

[qetsiyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good volume, we follow the different rumors about ichinose (which honestly was not so important?) and the beginning of the battle between Ayanokoji and Sakanagani. I wonder why Sakayanagi hates Yamauchi in the end? 🤨
Hard to like Nagumo, but an interesting protagonist in the future I think. I can't stand Kushida lol.
Karuizawa, we didn't see her much, but I like her a lot. For Horikita, I'm a bit confused, she really went from one extreme to another, I hope she will find a balance.
Otherwise there are so many different names I'm so lost lol. 🫡

4.25/5

« 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙨. 𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨? »

[Mohammed Ateeq · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are dealing here with a robot , and we still don't know any thing about him!

[Cloe_ktz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masterclass comme d'hab

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumor mill on overtime. And yes, when it comes to politicking, it's extremely effective if you know how to wield it.

This light novel is truly a how-to manual.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.

Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com

[Elisha Reads For U · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This one was also a great volume. We focus more on Honami and her backstory which to me was a bit of an exaggeration, but then again she did steal so yeah that's bad. Ayanokoji once again swept in and saved the day from the kindness of his heart (not). Still great read and loved seeing the competitive dynamics!

[Shiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably rate it a 4.5. the beggining was quite slower but towards the end we saw ayanokoji's strategy and helping ichinose which i enjoyed tremendeously and found it very realistic. I also quite enjoyed Ayano and sakayanagi interactions and we will most likely witness their battle soon.

[WiLL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Después de leerme por segunda vez este volumen, me he dado cuenta de que el foco del mismo no estaba en el pasado de Ichinose, sino que estaba en la incapacidad de esta para superarlo.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This review will contain spoilers*

When I look at the modern landscape of anime, I think we’re moving in circles. I love a good coming of age story about high school. But how many times can I feel a ping of sadness for a character bullied by their senior? Sympathize with a student outcasted by their peers?

But you know who’s probably tired of those concepts more than anyone else?

Syougo Kinugasa.

It’s hard not to read volume 9, and see Ichinose as a representation of those archetypes. The perfect student with the troubled past, the underdog who started out with nothing only to rise into a fearless leader. Instantly marketable for her good looks, yet humble enough to be loved by any kind of reader. (me included honestly)

But when the entirety of the novel is built around her carrying a dark secret. Your mind immediately thinks of Kushida again right? Just what kind of secret could this spotless individual be keeping that’s keeping her from class A?

Initially I was disappointed to find out that the “crippling crime” she had committed was just shoplifting.

Could you really blame me for rolling my eyes when she dramatically stood up for herself against Sakanayagi? Of course her class never abandoned her over something so simple. Better yet, this was the ruthless Sakayanagi? A girl who spends her free time spreading rumors around like it’s recess?

I was about ready to write off this novel, yet all it took was one sentence from Ayanokouji to turn my world upside down.

“However, Ichinose had already had her spirit broken before. And I was the one who’d broken it.”

What?

The art of the plot twist is not an easy one to pull off. But imagine how challenging that becomes when your main audience is consistently expecting it.

Yet Kinugasa seems to continue to defy our expectations like it’s nothing. The best plot twists are always ones that recontextualize the text we’ve read to give it new meaning…and let me tell you this novel might just be one of the best examples of that.

The moment when Ichinose hugs it out with her class is supposed to be one of the happiest moments of the series. Yet I can’t help but get a chill down my spine everytime I think of it. Not necessarily for the fact that just a traumatic event was being toyed with for someone else’s gain. No, for the mere fact of how oblivious Class B is to their situation.

In any other story, Class B would be the proganists of this story, they would be the ones we cheered for, the ones that succeeded in the end through teamwork and trust.

Yet the real players in this story don’t even see them as a threat, no as even human beings, just mere pawns to move around a board.

Can you imagine how terrifying that must be?

Maybe the scariest part of all is what it says about Kinugasa as an author.

Part of me can’t help but see class b as Kinugasa telling us to reevaluate the merit of these stories and their characters. Are those stories pushing new boundaries or dooming us to continue an endless cycle?

Appreciate the fact that Kinugasa is willing to make sacrifices.

Because as I finish volume 9 all I can think to myself is “My gosh this man is serious isn’t he? Nothing is ever going to be the same moving forward.”

[Iroha Miyumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

一之瀬帆波は罪犯者」

全一年生の生徒達はこの謎メッセージが届いた。そのせいで色々な悪い噂は誕生した。しかし本人はこの噂を無視の選択を選べたが結局に彼女のメンタルはどんどんに弱くになってしまう。

噂は諸然嘘だが一部は真実かもしれない。そう、一之瀬帆波の噂はただ嘘か？それとも真実なの？この不味い状況を続ければ、帆波の学生生活は終わったかもしれない。

だが主人公・綾小路清隆はどんな反応をするか？彼は彼女に助けるか？見捨てるか？元々帆波を助けることは可能性があるか？いずれば清隆の意思の次第で。

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
全体的にこのラノベは本当に面白かった！ペースは丁度いいし、色々なキャラが成長し、最後の展開は最高だ。

一之瀬帆波のキャラは元々興味があるので、このスートリーが凄く好き！彼女の重い過去、真性格、隠していたトラウマははっきり伝えった。外面的は彼女は誰でも優しい優等生だが中面的はどうかな？幸いにこの小説は見事に説明してくれた。

ですのでおすすめます！


"Honami Ichinose is a criminal."

All the first years received this mysterious message. Because of that, various unpleasant rumors were born. However, the person in question chose to ignore it, but as a result, her mental state is getting worse and worse.

Rumors are really just lies, but one part of it actually may be true. Indeed, is the rumor about Honami Ichinose false? Or is it the truth? Whatever it may be, if this horrible situation keeps continuing, her student life may end here.

However, how will the protagonist, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, react? Will he save her? Abandon her? In the first place, is it even possible for him to save Honami? In the end, it all depends on what he wants to do.
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Overall, this light novel is very interesting! The pace is great, many characters grow a lot, and the last development is just the best.

Since I was always interested in Honami Ichinose's character, I enjoyed this story greatly. It properly conveyed her heavy past, her true personality, and her hidden trauma. On the outside, she's a kind honor student to everyone, but what about on the inside? Thankfully, this novel explains this point very clearly.

So, I greatly recommend this!

[Rayf Amin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than Volume 8, I would say, but not one of the standout volumes.

No special exams here, but I love the setups that were made here, like the ones involving Kushida.

I might be the only one to care much about it, but I really liked Ayanokouji's interaction with Wang Mei-Yu / Mii-chan.

One thing I love about this series, is that it will mention a character in the background, and then in later volumes we actually get to see them involved somehow. It makes the world feel organic, instead of just having new characters pop out of nowhere.

Sakayanagi and especially Ichinose get a lot of attention here. I'm glad, because they are the key players of their respective classes, and yet I felt they hadn't had enough focus until now.

And of course, it wouldn't be Classroom of the Elite if we didn't see Ayanokouji's insane level of thinking at work.

To top it off, we get a nice scene at the end.

Can't fault this volume much. It has no special exams, so not as intense as other volumes but still a fun read.

[Mithun Sarker · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It had been clear from the very beginning who her real opponent in this battle was: herself."

Classroom of the Elite Vol. 9
By Syougo Kinugasa

Well, another wonderful volume of COTE. Can't seem to get enough of this series. This volume was quite good. And the character brilliance needs to further introduction, I believe.

The valentines plot was nice. The whole rumours game was exciting to read. As I have said it a hundred times before, a light novel is miles better than the anime. Kei and Ayanokoji's "King and Pawn" game is so good to read.

Everybody has a thing that they would like to hide from the rest of the world. Honami is no different. Her past actions still haunt her, and Sakayanagi is trying to disrupt not only Honami but also the entire class B. This plot was honestly great. Ayanokoji's involved and outsmarting everyone else is always delightful to read.

" Ichinose, walking alongside me once more, stretched her shoulders. She looked bright and cheery again, as if she’d just been reborn. "

8.5/10

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In youkoso jitsuryoku volume 9 we follow ichinose and learn more about her past because she turns to Ayanokouji after Sakayanagi has accused her of many things like drug abuse or stealing before she came to the school. Ichinose neither denies nor accepts these accusations but secludes herself from the rest of her B class. Later Ayanokouji talks to her and finds out the true story of what happened and that her and her family were poor and she wanted to get her sister a birthday present so bad but she did not have the money and ended up shoplifting and getting caught. We also see the bonds between Ichinose and Ayanokouji get closer and closer as Ichinose calls him one of the only people she can rely on. This was one of the slower volumes of youkoso jitsuryoku, but I do think it was one of the better volumes because we got to see a character who seemed so friendly and perfect to have a sad past to her.

[Viszed (II) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este volumen gira en torno al ataque de Sakayanagi contra Ichinose, utilizando el crimen que cometio en la secundaria.

Me encanto ver el despliegue de movimientos que hizo Ayanokouji, como utilizo la información de Kushida para contrarestar el ataque de Sakayanagi a Ichinose, como utilizo la psicologia al punto de destruir a Ichinose para evitar que lo haga Sakayanagi, saliendo victorioso y adquiriendo una nueva herramienta llamada "Ichinose".

Me encanto también la trama de San Valentín, como Ayanokouji consigui varios chocolates, lo cual hace ver como aun entre las sombras es muy popular.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4½ stars rounded up because it was SOOO much better than volume 8.

Sakayanagi makes her move against Ichinose. While the matter may seem small to us, it certainly is something that has bothered Ichinose for a while. Of course there are plots, counter-plots, and plots-within-plots all going on. Ayanokouji says he doesn't care and doesn't want to be involved, but as usual he has his fingers in the pie somewhere.

I am going to be getting volume 10 from the library today or tomorrow. Glad they already have it!

CotE is one of the best running LN series currently out there.

[HardLight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haremokoji grows in this volume and the guy is being annoying as all hell to just be seeming ambivalent about it, hell he went on a freaking date with Sato in volume 7 and she's still holding a candle for him! That's 11 girls all at freaking once! Fucking asshole lol.

But anyway, this volume isn't anywhere near as lighthearted as you'd think it is, as we get to see Sakayanagi work in a virtually perfect manner to try and destroy someone - nearly succeeding as well if not for Kiyotaka taking the required steps to counter her. (this adds to his harem btw, its annoying but it does).

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this one in a long time but I liked the aspect where rumors were being spread throughout the school. However, my problem was that there was a lot of buildup to Ichinose having some dark past but then the truth only being that she shoplifted one time. Of course for someone like Ichinose that crime would affect her a lot but to the audience it feels very underwhelming. I also don't personally care about her as a character but that's merely my personal preference. Otherwise it was forgettable since the other volumes in this semester were much more engaging.

[Emily Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka has a crush on Karuizawa Kei."

Hmm, so was Ayanokouji really the one who spread that rumor???

Also, I was a bit disappointed by Ichinose's secret. It was made out to be something terrible, but her crime didn't seem all that bad to me. I mean, Kushida's past seemed way darker.

I was glad to see how Ayanokouji planned ahead to help Ichinose. And his relationship with Kei continues to develop. I just love his relationship with Kei...

[seablues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this after watching the anime and to ascertain several thing (uhuk, Ayanokouji and Karuizawa thingies). Instead, I found out an interesting plottwist happened correlated to Sakayanagi and again, Ayanokouji. For a light novel, it’s certainly not light, at all. It’s 200+ pages, more than enough to call it solid-heavy novel. However, still enjoyable as you might think. I do think there are dozens of unnecessary dialogues happened to appear.

[jarne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly, I had to read this one in a more scattered way than the previous bunch, which possibly means I saw a little less of the bigger picture. Nonetheless, it was an interesting read. Ayanokoji continues to play a big role behind the scenes, while we also get to see the size of the harem he's been collecting (lol). Also, poor Ichinose. L Sakayanagi, L Nagumo.

[Kristin ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was just okay.

Not much exciting happening. Ichinoses "dark past" was the center point and then ended up to just be some middle school shoplifting. Which I think is a rite if passage for many middle schoolers. Plus her mother got the "crime" resolved.

The rumor plit was interesting though. But I am expecting more from the last 2.5 volumes we have left of this school year!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

En este volumen se centra en el secreto de Ichinose, es un personaje querido y es presentada como la líder perfecta de la clase 1-B, la verdad que esta muy concentrado todo el libro al rededor de este secreto oscuro que al final era muy estúpido.
Lo único interesante fue ver como Ayanokouji organizo todo para poder manipularla y ganar su confianza. Fue un buen plot twist.

[Da · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was about to gave this book 3 stars, tbh. It's not as 'boring' as the volume 8 but the pace felt really slow. And then the explanation came and I was like "what?! 😀😀"

It's still as confusing as ever though, I often have no idea who tf talking.

[Gamer Dz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ichinose hadn’t really committed a crime in the first place, though.
Everything had been resolved after her mother took appropriate measures to
handle it. It was a non-issue. She’d been carrying a completely unnecessary
burden. Nothing more.

[autumn]

Ayanokoji makes me feel stupid for not looking that far ahead 😭 I confidently guessed that he did something, but wasn’t even close to the reasoning. he’s too smart for me

[R.Zoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing.