This article contains spoilers from the Classroom of the Elite light novels.
Classroom of the Elite is a thrilling slice-of-life series with rich psychological themes that makes the series an enjoyable watch. The anime is based on the light novel series written by Shōgo Kinugasa. Both mediums spin an interesting tale featuring Ayanokoji and his impact on Class 1-D within the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is the remarkably intelligent protagonist of Classroom of the Elite; however, despite his intellectual prowess, he chooses to hide his gifts, causing viewers to wonder about the motive behind this action. Although little to no key details were revealed about Ayanokoji’s past in season 1 of the anime, season 2 revealed crucial details about his past using Professor Ayanokoji’s debut in the anime. Episode 10 of season 2 revealed a ‘term’ called the “White Room” as an integral part of Ayanokoji’s childhood. So based on the Classroom of the Elite light novels, what should fans know about the White Room?
What Is The White Room?
The White Room was first mentioned by Kiyotaka’s father, Professor Ayanokoji, piquing viewers’ curiosity about the White Room and its connection to the story’s protagonist. Following the accounts in the Classroom of the Elite light novels, the White Room is an academic institution created by Professor Ayanokoji. This academy had one major goal: to create the perfect education system, involving the removal of trivial things that have no direct impact on education. The White Room has existed for about 20 years, educating students with extreme standards for about 20 generations.
A different set of teachers tutors every generation. After a certain period in the experiment-like educational system, the students of different generations will be tested to see the effectiveness of their training processes. Ideally, even though different generations of the “White Roomers” existed in the same facility, they never saw each other. The White Room was constructed in such a way that unimportant events like parties and other fun events never happened. Ironically, despite the level of effort put into creating the White Room, it had relatively little success in creating the ideal students. The White Room’s major aim is to prove that true genius is born due to situational circumstances, negating natural-born geniuses like Arisu Sakanayagi.
The White Room aims to develop the perfect genius-creating formula to nurture incredibly intelligent students for Japan to advance, unlike any other country in history. For this to happen, the White Room teaches students countless skills, knowledge of different forms from various fields, and even advanced martial arts techniques. Note that all of these teachings were well above that of the professional level; White Roomers were forced to process advanced learning at a tender age, which largely affected their mental state. As a result of these harsh teachings, most White Roomers never fully adapted to the outside world after they left the White Room. Out of all the generations of the White Room students, the 4th and 5th generations had the best results.
The 4th Generation
Out of all the generations in Classroom of the Elite, the 4th generation received the harshest education in the history of the White Room. The main principle behind the 4th generation was self-reliance and individualism. Every member of this generation was pitted against overwhelming circumstances and was forced to make it out on their own. All students in this generation failed these tests except Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who aced them.
The 5th Generation
Due to the extreme results of the 4th Generation trials, the 5th Generation emphasized more on communication. However, ironically despite the level of effort put into communication in this generation, the 5th generation members, like Takuya Yagami, can only converse comfortably with White Roomers and not regular people.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji – The White Room’s Greatest Masterpiece
Out of every student that went through the White Room, Ayanokoji stood out as the one with the best results. As a result, there is no White Roomer that is unfamiliar with the name Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. It is said that Ayanokoji excelled in every area and subject that was studied within the White Room. In episode 10 of Classroom of the Elite’s second season, Professor Ayanokoji called his son his “most prized possession,’ signifying just how much of an impact Kiyotaka had on the academic institution. However, despite the success of the White Room in making Ayanokoji an unparalleled genius, its main goal, to create a myriad of Ayanokoji-like students, hasn’t been achieved yet. So, despite being the gem of the White Room, Ayanokoji plays a small role in the institution’s grand plan.
Also, Ayanokoji’s fame in the White Room wasn’t without consequences. Although most White Roomers idolized him, some, like Takuya, hated him because they were often being compared to Kiyotaka and his sterling results. Ayanokoji became a standard every White Roomer must reach or surpass, leading to intense jealousy and hatred in some White Roomers. In the end, after the White Room was shut down for a year, Ayanokoji used this opportunity to escape from his father’s academic clutches. This is because he wanted to experience how education worked in the world outside of the White Room.
Now a member of Class 1-D, Ayanokoji plays the role of an observer in the new academic environment he is introduced to through the help of Chairman Sakanayagi. What he truly intends to achieve in the academy remains a mystery; however, this only adds more spice to the already thrilling show.