Is Kiyotaka Ayanokoji A Born Genius?

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji isn’t just a Jack-of-all-trades, he’s mastered them. Be it class subjects, worldly topics such as art and philosophy, or even athletic sports that require a strict sense of tactical skill, he excels at them all. But his biggest asset isn’t his book smarts, but rather his adaptability.

When he first arrives at the school, he deliberately gets a score of 50% on the entrance exam. That wasn’t because he didn’t know half the questions, but because he knew the answer to each one. And this way, he got to choose where he would be placed in the school’s hierarchy, aka Class D.

And it’s this bending of the rules already in place that allows Ayanokōji so much power. His naturally high IQ and people reading skills help him skirt around the rules. For example, when he used points to bribe his teacher to make sure that his classmate, Ken Sudō, didn’t get expelled.

is well-versed in history, with his ability to quote prolific figures out of nowhere. He aces exams just enough that he doesn’t stand out, but remains a formidable opponent. It is also heavily implied that Ayanokōji was a shoo-in for A-Class but he purposefully derailed the test.

Classroom Of The Elite: Subtlety is Seldom Found

He might be extremely smart, but Ayanokōji doesn’t make it very apparent. He’s pretty subtle as far as ‘cool’ protagonists go, trying to stay understated so he doesn’t stand out and end up revealing all the aces up his sleeve. This choice to blend in proves his incredible perception skills, where he knows both his strengths and flaws and uses them to his advantage.

Ayanokōji knows standing out means having a target painted on your back. If people don’t consider you a threat, they open up more easily to you. And he takes full advantage of this fact, using his people-reading skills to make himself appear less of a threat, and more approachable.

He may not be a people person but that doesn’t mean he can’t discern their ambitions from a single conversation.

Is High IQ Enough To Call Someone Smart?

Sure, Ayanokoji was smart but man, his father did a number on him because of it. He was trained in the elusive White Room program, headed by Professor Ayanokōji.

The White Room program was so brutal that Ayanokoji was the only survivor left by the end of it. It’s what led him to become so calculated and cold, where he started to view everyone around him as mere tools. To Ayanokōji, life is a game of chess, with those around him the pieces he manipulates on the board. Dispensable, inconsequential, and replaceable.