Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e: √Horikita
Classroom of the Elite: Horikita

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This is a spin-off story to Youkoso focusing on Suzune with lots of fan-service (both of the horny and moe variety). While it was enjoyable, at least to me, it isn't a complete product and leaves much to be desired.

This spin-off manga changes the personalities of our main characters, which seems to have offended some of the die-hard fans of this series. I would argue that the changes are not as drastic as some make it out to be, especially with Suzune's character. She is still a socially awkward but intelligent girl with an attitude that desperately wants her brother to notice her (exactly like ... in the main story). The chief difference here is that Suzune is much more expressive and willing to show emotion; she does not have that constant "resting bitch face" nor is she particularly uptight about the smallest things (unless she is speaking to Kushida, which I mean is canonical so...). To me the change makes her more endearing, but to fans who don't care for the cutesy fanservicey stuff, I can see why this change may not be appealing.

The biggest change in character is actually Ayanokouji, who acts as a supporting character in this. He is not the edgy and cool mastermind that we are used to but instead acts like a carefree high schooler with a sense of humor that I particularly enjoyed. It gives us as fans the opportunity to see what he might've been like had he had a "normal" childhood and not been a living experiment in the White Room. That stuff might've still happened to him in this timeline, but its less apparent and thus up to our own imaginations. Of course, it is awesome to watch him one-up the other characters in the main story with his big-brained plays, but I also found it humorous that in this he was obsessed with bathhouses and Suzune making him bento boxes.

The primary issue with this manga is that it is way too short (and thus arguably pointless). Many fans (of any series) don't like it when a spin-off changes too much of the plot and setting, but I'm okay with it as long we are given ample time to explore this new world and "get used to it". We only get one real "arc" in this manga, which is Suzune trying to make friends while dealing with some random rumors later in volume 2. This plot-line isn't particularly interesting or well-written, and it more importantly it ends way too abruptly, giving a sour final impression that nothing really happened in the first place. For fans hoping that there would be some romance between Suzune and Ayanokouji, you will greatly disappointed since the manga cuts off just as there is a hint of progress between them.

My final thoughts are that I think many fans would actually enjoy a more "slice of life" version of the story that this manga sorta provides but only scratches the surface with. Maybe add more characters with their own hijinxs and goofy arcs, instead of focusing on just Suzune, and there you have a solid spin-off story that more people would care about. It would give us an opportunity to learn more about each character in the downtime between the main exams, in a way not unlike what the .5 light novels do.

Thanks for reading.

I read this manga with very low expectations from the negative reviews, only to be pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this short two-volume series. There may be more coming soon in some form, as「おわり次回作にご期待ください。」means "The end, please look forward to the next work."

In personal terms, I liked it. It was somewhat enjoyable to see a side of one of the female leads that we don't get to see much often, as well as the development between the two main characters that the series started with. Considering this is a what-if, it also potentially kills the reason for the writer to develop Kiyotaka's relationship with Suzune. ... Hopefully that is not the case and that she and their relationship play a bigger role in the series for the foreseeable future.

My only issues with it are the cliffhanger ending, considering the build-up in the epilogue; the inconsistencies with the characters (though I'd argue it's within the margin of error); and that pretty much the fact that it's short, especially considering the very slow pace for a romance, to the point that their development feels non-existent (which also seems in line considering their disposition).

It is quite comedic at times but if comedy is what you're looking for, might be better to look elsewhere.

Yeah, this story is pretty much only if you like seeing Suzune and Kiyotaka interact more and Suzune fan-service, which seems to be the whole premise of this manga.

Did you like Classroom of the Elite? Yes? Well, did you like Horikita? Also yeah? Well guess what! You still shouldn’t read this.

There was no reason for me to read this, it was literally on hold for 2 weeks until I said “screw it let's get it over with.” I ended up wasting my time, I would rather make a sandwich instead.

This is a “what if?” As described by the description on MAL. Even then it’s not that big of a difference or anything to really be called a what if. When it comes to a what if you want it to really grab ... your attention and get you saying, “huh, what if that did happen?” That’s how a what if should get you hooked. But essentially this isn’t interesting. It’s also useless because why do we need this?

It’s supposed to focus more on the relationship between Horikita and Ayanokōji. That’s not really important or that big of a what if. As a matter of fact this has the romance tag even though nothing happens between these two, it’s just Horikita really acting out of character; which just isn’t right to see. I’m pretty sure even the author was thinking to themselves, “Why am I doing this?”
They gave up during the end because what the heck kind of ending are you supposed to give this?

Let me tell you something about the art, that’s the one thing this manga has got going for it. The art is fine and not totally insulting or anything. That’s all.

No one asked for this. Literally no one. This is not one of those cases where it’s “the hero we never knew we needed.” Instead it’s more like “this is a mistake, can we take it back?” No you can't, it's forever stuck here and now we have to suffer the consequences.

Don’t waste your time reading this if you’re a big Classroom of the Elite fan, of course I can’t tell you what to do. But I can try and stop you and warn you. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.