Classroom of the Elite follows Kiyotaka Ayanokōji, a seemingly average student in Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School’s lowest-ranked Class D, as he navigates a cutthroat meritocracy that evaluates students through brutal academic and social competitions.
The series dissects themes of societal inequality, performative morality, and the cost of ambition through psychological warfare between classes.
This curated list highlights 25 pivotal quotes that encapsulate the show’s philosophical depth and character dynamics across its anime and light novel arcs.
In this world, winning is everything. As long as I win in the end… That’s all that matters
(Light Novel Vol. 7)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Ayanokōji’s ruthless philosophy during a strategic betrayal, revealing his utilitarian worldview
Defective merchandise can often be fixed with the slightest of alterations
(Episode 4: “There is No Means of Testing Which Decision is Better”)
Suzune Horikita
Horikita’s pragmatic analysis of Class D’s potential during exam preparations
People do yield before violence, that’s for sure. But to carry out that logic, you need to be stronger
(Light Novel Vol. 2)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Cold rationale during Sudo’s disciplinary hearing, emphasizing power dynamics
Being alone is not synonymous with being lonely
(Episode 3: “It Takes a Great Deal of Effort to Pretend to Be Weak”)
Suzune Horikita
Horikita’s defense of solitude during Kushida’s friendship manipulation
The natural course of action is to have as much insurance on your side as possible
(Light Novel Vol. 11.5)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Strategic advice to Kei Karuizawa about survival in the school’s hierarchy
I’ve never once thought of you as an ally. All people are nothing but tools
(Episode 12: “What People Call Love is Just a Biochemical Reaction”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Shocking confession to Horikita, exposing his emotional detachment
Heaven doesn’t create one person above or below another
(Episode 1: “Welcome to the Classroom of the Elite”)
Sae Chabashira
Teacher’s ironic classroom lecture about the school’s inequality myth
If you worried too much, you’d likely miss out on something important and suffer for it
(Light Novel Vol. 4)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Warning to Airi Sakura about overcaution during island exam
Your shortcoming is that you assume others will hold you back
(Light Novel Vol. 3)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Critique of Horikita’s isolationist tactics during class advancement plans
Coincidence can be freaky
(Episode 7: “All Human Activity is Ultimately Just a Band-Aid Solution”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Understated remark after manipulating events to protect Class D
I’ll crush Class D, then Class B, and finally Class A
(Episode 11: “Not All Gifts Are Welcome”)
Kikyō Kushida
Kushida’s venomous declaration during her secret personality reveal
The difference between winners and losers is how they handle failure
(Light Novel Vol. 9)
Honami Ichinose
Ichinose’s motivational speech to Class B during cultural festival rivalry
You inherited her eyes… not her soul
(Light Novel Vol. 10)
Manabu Horikita
Manabu’s cutting assessment of Suzune’s leadership shortcomings
Fear is the natural response of the weak
(Light Novel Vol. 7.5)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Analysis of Class C’s tactics during sports festival manipulation
Self-centered people could be hard to handle, even if they have superior talent
(Light Novel Vol. 5)
Suzune Horikita
Critique of Kōenji’s individualism during desert island exam
People show their true colors when they’re in jeopardy
(Episode 8: “There is No Such Thing as True Talent”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Observation during Class C’s psychological warfare tactics
The world changes constantly. The trick is to change with it
(Light Novel Vol. 11)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Advice to Hirata about adapting to shifting social hierarchies
I don’t like expending more effort than I have to
(Episode 2: “It’s Human Nature to Want to Find Fault With Others”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Explanation for feigning mediocrity during early class evaluations
Even the strongest of opponents always has a weakness
(Light Novel Vol. 6)
Manabu Horikita
Student council president’s warning about Ryūen’s leadership
Confessing your feelings to someone isn’t an easy thing
(Light Novel Vol. 7.5)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Insight into Kei’s trauma during rooftop confrontation
We’re all monsters here – that’s why we survive
(Light Novel Vol. 8)
Ryūen Kakeru
Ryūen’s brutal philosophy during Class C’s power consolidation
The reason you didn’t notice the cheat was because you were too defensive
(Light Novel Vol. 4)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Post-exam analysis revealing Horikita’s strategic blindspots
I came to this school to seek out answers
(Episode 5: “People Must Learn to Save Themselves”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Cryptic admission about his White Room past
You can’t label someone malevolent because they’re a criminal
(Light Novel Vol. 10)
Honami Ichinose
Moral argument during Class B’s ethics debate
Spread your legs
(Episode 9: “Not All Evil Comes with Ill Intent”)
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
Controversial command to Kei, symbolizing his manipulation tactics
