Short Stories / Side Content
These are various types of side content in Classroom of the Elite.
- Volume Specific Short Stories - These are stories directly related to a specific volume and are released around the same time in physical stores. There tends to be around 3 to 4 short stories per volume and typically show the perspective of some of the other cast members.
- .25 & .75 Novels - These refer to supplementary "short stories" that are not part of the main numbered sequence of the series. They serve to provide additional content, background information, or side content that enhance the main narrative.
- Artbooks - The official artbooks feature a collection of illustrations by Shunsaku Tomose. They include character designs, promotional artwork, and other illustrations from the light novel series, sometimes also including "Special Talks" that are typically interviews done with the author, Shogo Kinugasa.
- "MF Bunko Joker" bonuses - MF Bunko J is the light novel imprint under Media Factory (a subsidiary of Kadokawa) that publishes the "Classroom of the Elite" series. To promote the series and reward fans, MF Bunko J often includes special bonuses with their releases.
"From That Time On…" (あの頃から), labelled 2nd Year Volume 10.25, is a short story of the You-Zitsu light novel series, available as a benefit from the "Welcome to the FESTA of the Elite 2024 in Yūrakuchō Marui" (ようこそ実力至上主義のフェスタへ2024 in 有楽町マルイ) event.
"The First Dissonance Sounds of the New Year" (新年最初の不協和音), labelled 2nd Year Volume 9.75, is a short story released as the appendix booklet for Monthly Comic Alive September 2023 issue, narrated by Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.
"An Adult-ish Special Lesson" (ちょっと大人な特別授業) is a short story included within "MF Bunko Joker" (MF文庫Joker), a special booklet from the MF Bunko J Summer School Festival 2023, narrated from the perspective of Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.
You-Zitsu: Second Year Arc Start — Tomoseshunsaku Art Works (ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ２年生編start トモセシュンサク Art Works トモセシュンサク Art Works) is the third official You-Zitsu art book and first artbook for the 2nd Year Arc illustrated by Tomoseshunsaku. It is published under Media Factory's MF Bunko J imprint on January 25, 2024.
The art book includes over 180 illustrations from the first and second semester of the second year arc of the series. It also contains a special interview with Tomoseshunsaku and Shōgo Kinugasa like the previous artbooks.
The long second year is finally drawing to a close, and the final special exam, the "Year-End Special Exam," is about to take place. Each class will select three representatives—vanguard, middle guard, and general—beforehand, and they'll compete in elimination matches against representatives from other classes. However, the contents of the exam will remain unknown until the day of.
"I'll show my true strength to Sakayanagi and to you. It doesn't suit me, but I'll defeat you fair and square."
"After we finish the year-end special exam, let's take our time over some tea. After defeating him, I'll face off against you, Ayanokouji-kun, as a third-year."
Only one will survive—Ryuuen or Sakayanagi.
The climax of the hugely popular school apocalypse series, second-year arc!
"If we both manage to avoid expulsion in the special exam, let's make some time for each other then."
“I’m concerned of the betra... no, I mean, I’m at the age where I’m interested in Hashimoto. Love, perhaps?”
The announcement is made for the training camp event called “Exchange Meeting”, where third-year students take the role of a leader and forms groups with a mix of first and second-year classes. However, this year’s event is relaxed with no penalties, expulsion or changes in class points; it focuses mainly on interacting with students from other grades.
Ayanokōji, under the leadership of Kiryūin, was grouped together with Hashimoto, Morishita, Yamamura, Shiina, and others. They participate in hands-on learning such as pressed flower crafting, cards, archery, and more.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the laid-back nature of the exchange event where victory is not required, Horikita plans a revenge match against Amasawa and also seeks advice from Ayanokōji.
“Huh? I’m seriously asking for advice here. I’m desperately looking for a way to survive, you know.”
In addition to Hashimoto, who is rapidly approaching Ayanokōji, each class is also starting to move towards the end of the school year――!
“You… really are unique in the oddest of ways.”
With winter break being over, the third semester in Advanced Nurturing High School has begun. Right away, the ‘Survival and Dropout Special Exam’ was announced. It's a battle of both offensive and defensive, in which all four classes challenge other competing classes in different genres of topics. Moreover, everyone but the first place has their class points reduced, making it truly a battle of survival.
“As expected, the opponents won’t easily take the bait…”
“What are your intentions? If you have an explanation, let's hear it?”
“You’ve been looking over his back more closely than anyone else, so I’m sure you’ll have at-least grown that much, right?”
"Gambling’s nice ain’t it? After all, it’s just rolling the dice at random".
"Oh no… That’s a bad move!”
The popular school book of revelations, the curtain for the merciless third semester rises.
"Merry Christmas. Here comes Santa!"
The second winter break had come by in the Advanced Nurturing High School. The promise to buy Christmas presents was cancelled due to Karuizawa coming down with influenza, and it so happens that Ayanokōji will be alone during the next couple days around Christmas Eve.
Amidst that.
“Um, what's your plan for lunch today, Ayanokōji-kun?”
“Let's leave that for when we meet. Is it fine if I visit your room?”
“Catch me later at the North entrance of Keyaki Mall in 30 minutes.”
Endless phone calls from leaders of each class.
On the other hand. “Ayanokōji-kun…… isn't just a gloomy person, is he? Like, he's hiding something.” Discussions about Ayanokōji spur on between classmates――!?
"As I thought, I guess that means Ichinose-san has given up on getting to Class A?"
December, after the end of the School Trip. The final Special Test of the second semester, the Cooperative Written Test is announced.
In this test, everyone takes turns at answering the questions of the test, with the class as a whole answering a hundred questions. Horikita's Class B will face Sakayanagi's Class A.
While they are preparing for the test, Nagumo announces that he will decide on the next Student Council President. The student council members from the second year are Horikita and Ichinose. Even though people were asking her to run for it, Ichinose's own desire was to quit the student council altogether.
And separate from the problem of finding members for the new student council, with Kiryūin targeted by a bogus shoplifting scandal, even the people around the Student Council find themselves busier and busier.
"I'm not forcing myself! ……I want to meet Ayanokōji-kun, too……"
This school's book of revelations is headed for a new chaos——
"The theme of this school trip is: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."
In late November, after the final examinations are over, the details of the school trip are announced. The destination is Hokkaido. There will be no special exam, and the trip will be a normal school trip, including skiing and sightseeing. However, it is a unique trip in which a total of eight students, one boy and one girl from each class, will be grouped together for the five days, four nights. Ayanokōji and Kushida are in a group with members of other classes, including Ryūen of all people.
However, things will not go so smoothly.
"Aren't you misunderstanding something, Ayanokōji?"
"What am I misunderstanding?"
"The prelude to my battle with Sakayanagi has already begun."
An omen of turbulence--?!
On the other hand, an event is going to happen that will drastically change the relationship between the students.
"I-I'm properly confessing to Suzune. I'm going to ask her to go out with me."