Classroom of the Elite season 2 made its premiere in July 2022 and the third season is expected to release in 2023. It has been a debate on which platform is the best considering that there are some fans of the light novel who claim that the original medium is the best. Of course, anime viewers do not totally agree with it. For those who can’t seem to decide yet, these differences might help. While there are differences between the two mediums, the preference will still depend on the person. However, the same could not be said about the light novel. There are different girls who get to interact with Ayanokoji. These scenes were either skipped or replaced with Suzune. One example was the pool scene, wherein some boys wanted to film girls changing. Ayanokoji would solve this with Kei, but the anime made it seem that it was Suzune. The anime didn’t have this but did include some of Ayanokoji’s monologues to explain certain situations and thoughts. Because of this, the interpretation of Ayanojoki’s personality has changed as well. In the light novel, since there is more about his thoughts, his character development was seen. He started as a student who was only concerned about not making friends who developed over time. But in the anime, the narration is far less and just focused on what is happening rather than on what he is thinking about. This was adopted in the manga version of the series as well with a touch of him being more expressive. On the other hand, the anime had a different approach to his character. The anime focused on his aloof side. This medium made him look like a detached character who has a steady grasp of his abilities.
Suzune held a second study group but the anime showed that she only gave her notes to Sudo.Manabu Horikita was supposed to drop Suzune on the floor instead of punching her.Ayanokoji, Suzune, and Sae had a discussion in the faculty room after Class 1D failed.Kakeru Ryeun instructing Yamada to beat Daichi is an original from the anime.Sakura confronted her stalker alone and the latter was able to go without being arrested.Arisu, who people assumed came from the White Room, made an appearance in season 1 even when she was supposed to appear in volume 5 (the first season only covered until volume 3).
Some of these changes are:
The introduction of Manabu Horikita. He should appear after Ayanokoji and Suzune go to the student club fair.Kushida’s dark side should have appeared after Suzune’s failed study group and not after Sudo was saved by Ayanoki and Suzune.The White Room is mentioned in the light novel by volume 5 but it was mentioned in the first season of the anime.
Both mediums have their own take on the story but if it will depend on the overall aspect of Classroom of the Elite, then the light novel is the better version considering that it is the original medium and has a more in-depth explanation of the characters.
