The following article contains spoilers for Classroom of the Elite seasons 1 and 2, now streaming on Crunchyroll.Classroom of the Elite season 2 came to an end a couple of months back and now, after an early period of grief the minds of the fans are set on what comes next for the show. With a third season already confirmed and in the works, one thing anime fans often consider is taking a peek at what paths or developments the story is going to follow, at least according to the light novel created by Shōgo Kinugasa and Shunsaku Tomose in which the anime adaptation is based. Thus far, the anime has been faithful to the story told in the novel, however, we can't be completely sure if this will continue to be the case, or if they will have another source of inspiration for the upcoming seasons.
Throughout the first 25 episodes, the anime has given away bits of information in what might lurk behind Kiyotaka Ayanokōji's past. The protagonist, placed in the Class D by his own doing, scoring exactly 50 points in every subject, has been consistently uncovering his true personality and intentions. He is not only far more intelligent than his ranking but also capable of manipulating people with ease, as he did plenty of times so far. While trying to seem like a secondary character he has been involved in too much to summarize within the system imposed by the Kōdo Ikusei Senior High School. But equally important it's how his relationship has developed with his classmates and other students or teachers, with special attention to what the situation between Suzune Horikita and Kikyou Kushida may unfold or if he will finally manifest some feelings towards Kei Karuizawa (or anyone really). All leading up to the biggest cliffhanger of the season, Arisu Sakayanagi reveals herself as aware of Ayanokōji's past and his connection to the White Room.
Season 3, the End of the 1st Year
Season 3 of Classroom of the Elite will most likely cover volumes 8-11.5 of the novel, after the second one completed the adaption of volumes 4-7.5. Without wanting to include any mayor spoilers or plot twists, here's what in general terms takes place. It will be time to wrap up the first year at Kōdo Ikusei for Ayanokoji and company, that is for sure as only a few volumes remain to be adapted from the First Year Arc of the light novel series. Only for being the closer for a mayor arc, the third season will be one to remember, one where the fans will have a chance to see if Suzune and Kiyotaka keep climbing the ladder and winning every fight, or if all the entities trying to get in their way finally have a say on their miraculous ascend.
Once again, it will kick off with a new Special Test that in this case will take the students to a Mountain nearby. It's important to mention that as Ayanokoji and Ryuuen agreed, now our main characters find themselves in the Class C and with their set in completely demolish the D class and surpass Ichinose's B class. This new exam, called Mixed Training Camp, will start by separating boys and girls, and then forcing them to create groups. Each will need a leader that will earn double points, but also will take the fall if their group doesn't pass the exam, getting expelled from the school. To avoid that a group doesn't pass the exam on purpose to kick their leader out, the leader can also choose someone that is getting expelled with them. They will have to cooperate for a week and then pass different exams in order to avoid being expelled, but of course, a lot of things will happen behind the scenes to plot against certain individuals.
This exam will present a chance for Suzune's brother, Manabu, to get closer to Ayanokoji, someone the former president of the Council has considered interested since their meeting back in Season 1. But in doing so, he might be creating a few more enemies for himself and a new plot line that will develop before he finishes his third and last year on Kōdo Ikusei.
New Rivals and Inside Changes
After the Special Test, and going into the last semester, Arisu's machinations will begin to affect some important characters, as she moves closer to "defeat" Ayanokoji. She quickly positions herself as Ayanokoji's biggest rival in the school after the "defeat" of Ryuen. But even since the first special test another individual to take into consideration is the already presented new president of the Student Council, Miyabi Nagumo, who will also have Ayanokoji in his sight and will collaborate in some ways with Sakayanagi.
The main focus will be in the end of the year exam and everything that surrounds it. A good amount of information about the past of both main and secondary characters will steadily come to light as the show approaches the climax of the first year events. Be sure to expect Ayanokoji's father to make another push to make him quit, by even changing some of the staff at the school, a Bonus Exam designed to expel some first-years and the one last Special Exam, chosen, to a certain degree, by the students themselves, and in some ways similar to Paper Shuffle. Will Ayanokoji keep his "freedom" despite his father's attempts? What will happen with Kushida? What is happening in the second year? For that answers fans will have to wait and see, or jump to the light novel.
The sequel to Classroom of the Elite Season 2 was confirmed right after it started airing, in March 2022. They also announced a 2023 release window with Studio Lerche being once again in charge of the animation. Pending an official announcement to be made, it's expected to come out around July 2023 with a length between the 12-13 episodes that would take the show from the mentioned start date to September/October, similar to the second season. Be sure to pay attention fo any updates about an official release date.
With 8 volumes already published from the Second Year Arc, Studio Lerche has plenty to work with in the foreseeable future, so fans of the series should confidently expect a yearly season release from now on, at least until the whole second year is completed. Classroom of the Elite it's now streaming on Crunchyroll, and the third season is expected to also release on the streaming platform.