Who Is The Mastermind Behind 'Classroom Of The Elite Year 2' Plot Twists?

The mastermind in 'Classroom of the Elite Year 2' is none other than the protagonist himself, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. This guy plays the game of deception like a chess grandmaster. He orchestrates events from the shadows, manipulating classmates and teachers alike without anyone realizing it. His cold, calculating nature makes him terrifyingly effective. He sets up conflicts between classes to test his theories about human nature, all while maintaining his facade of being an average student. The beauty of his schemes lies in their simplicity—he uses people's own ambitions and weaknesses against them, never lifting a finger directly. Watching him turn the school's rigid hierarchy into his personal playground is both chilling and thrilling.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is the puppet master pulling the strings in 'Classroom of the Elite Year 2,' but what makes him fascinating is how he contrasts with other schemers in fiction. Unlike typical genius protagonists who flaunt their intellect, Ayanokouji thrives in anonymity. He doesn’t want credit; he wants results. His manipulations are so subtle that even the readers often miss them until the payoff. The second year ramps up his game—he pits classes against each other, exploits school rules, and even sacrifices allies if it serves his goals. His relationship with Horikita is particularly intriguing. He molds her into a leader while undermining her confidence, all to see if she can overcome his psychological traps.

The secondary mastermind worth noting is Nagumo Miyabi, the student council president. He represents the opposite approach—flashy, aggressive, and obsessed with dominance. Their clash showcases two philosophies of control. Nagumo believes in overt power, while Ayanokouji proves that true influence happens when no one knows you’re involved. The series excels at showing how their strategies collide, with Ayanokouji always staying three steps ahead. What’s brilliant is how the author uses the school’s point system as a battleground—Ayanokouji doesn’t just outthink his opponents; he turns the system’s mechanics into weapons.

Let’s cut through the theories—Ayanokouji is the core architect of every major twist in 'Classroom of the Elite Year 2,' but the real genius is how the narrative frames his role. He isn’t just manipulating events; he’s conducting a social experiment on human behavior. The plot twists revolve around his ability to predict and exploit emotions. When Class C fractures due to internal strife? That’s him testing group dynamics. When Class A’s leader collapses under pressure? Ayanokouji planted the seeds of doubt weeks earlier. The anime’s pacing hides his involvement until the final moments, making rewatches rewarding.

What sets Year 2 apart is the escalation. Ayanokouji’s father becomes an active threat, forcing him to abandon his passive stance. The stakes shift from academic games to survival, revealing darker layers of his personality. His interactions with Kei also deepen—their relationship becomes another manipulation tool, yet there’s genuine ambiguity about his feelings. The series challenges viewers to decide: Is he a monster creating chaos or a product of a broken system? Either way, his mind games redefine what it means to be a mastermind.