TV-Series
Description
Kakeru Ryuuen is a male student and a central figure in the second year of the anime Classroom of the Elite II, where he serves as the de facto ruler of Class 1-C. Standing at 173 centimeters tall with long, maroon-colored hair and sharp eyes of the same hue, his appearance reflects his intimidating and aggressive nature. His official evaluation upon entering the Advanced Nurturing High School lists his academic ability as D, intelligence as B, judgment as A, physical ability as B, and teamwork as an abysmal E-, painting a picture of a brilliant but utterly uncooperative individual.
Ryuuen is best described as a dictatorial leader who maintains absolute control over his class not through trust or respect, but through fear and physical force. He possesses a cruel, sadistic, and authoritarian personality, believing that true power is defined by violence and the ability to overcome fear. This philosophy was shaped by an event in his childhood, when he killed a snake that had frightened his classmates and teacher, experiencing a sense of victory and pleasure that defined his world view. He concluded that fear and pleasure are two sides of the same coin, and from that point forward, he sought to dominate others rather than be controlled by fear. Despite his thuggish demeanor, Ryuuen is exceptionally perceptive and a meticulous strategist. He openly declares that he dislikes effort, yet his obsession with victory is so strong that he will spare no effort and employ any means necessary to achieve it, including elaborate espionage, psychological warfare, and violence.
His primary motivation is to elevate his entire class to Class A, the highest rank in the school's competitive hierarchy. However, his methods are purely self-serving; he views his classmates as tools to be used and discarded, even punishing them with violence for failure. In the second season of the anime, his central role shifts from a general antagonist to an obsessive hunter. He becomes fixated on uncovering the identity of X, the mysterious mastermind he suspects is secretly guiding Class D from the shadows. This obsession drives him to launch a series of escalating provocations—both psychological and physical—against Class D and its students, including Suzune Horikita and Kei Karuizawa.
His key relationships are defined by this adversarial role. He holds a particular disdain for Suzune Horikita, whom he enjoys provoking and manipulating. To further his goals, he secures the cooperation of Kikyo Kushida, a spy from Class D, who feeds him valuable intelligence. His most significant relationship is with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, whom he initially does not recognize as his true opponent. Ryuuen considers Ayanokoji his rival and the target of his obsession, and their conflict forms the dramatic core of the second season. He is followed by a group of henchmen, including Daichi Ishizaki and Albert, who do his bidding out of fear or loyalty, though he shows them no real regard. He also has a notable connection with Mio Ibuki, a skilled fighter who eventually becomes one of his followers.
Over the course of the second season, Ryuuen’s development is marked by his escalating campaign against Class D, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Convinced that Kei Karuizawa knows the identity of X, he has her brought to the school rooftop and attempts to bully and torture the information out of her. This act culminates in a direct physical confrontation with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who reveals himself as X. In the ensuing fight, Ayanokoji effortlessly defeats him, showcasing a level of skill and emotional detachment that completely shatters Ryuuen's confidence. Following this crushing defeat, Ryuuen is initially prepared to accept expulsion from the school as a form of atonement, but Ayanokoji prevents him from doing so, hinting that he still has a role to play. This event marks a significant turning point, shaking the very foundations of his belief system and altering his trajectory from a dominant tyrant to a more calculated strategist.
In terms of abilities, Ryuuen is a formidable force. He is a highly skilled combatant, though he relies on a self-taught, street-fighting style developed through countless real battles rather than formal martial arts. He is strong enough to easily defeat skilled fighters like Daichi Ishizaki and Mio Ibuki. His true strength, however, lies in his tactical genius. He is a master of manipulation and strategy, capable of concocting elaborate plots such as the false accusation of Ken Sudo, the zero-point strategy during the deserted island exam, and the manipulation of class rosters during the sports festival. One of his most notable traits is his immense physical endurance and willpower. He is able to withstand a tremendous amount of punishment, getting up and continuing to fight even after taking a severe beating from Ayanokoji, a feat that impresses even his opponent.
Ryuuen is best described as a dictatorial leader who maintains absolute control over his class not through trust or respect, but through fear and physical force. He possesses a cruel, sadistic, and authoritarian personality, believing that true power is defined by violence and the ability to overcome fear. This philosophy was shaped by an event in his childhood, when he killed a snake that had frightened his classmates and teacher, experiencing a sense of victory and pleasure that defined his world view. He concluded that fear and pleasure are two sides of the same coin, and from that point forward, he sought to dominate others rather than be controlled by fear. Despite his thuggish demeanor, Ryuuen is exceptionally perceptive and a meticulous strategist. He openly declares that he dislikes effort, yet his obsession with victory is so strong that he will spare no effort and employ any means necessary to achieve it, including elaborate espionage, psychological warfare, and violence.
His primary motivation is to elevate his entire class to Class A, the highest rank in the school's competitive hierarchy. However, his methods are purely self-serving; he views his classmates as tools to be used and discarded, even punishing them with violence for failure. In the second season of the anime, his central role shifts from a general antagonist to an obsessive hunter. He becomes fixated on uncovering the identity of X, the mysterious mastermind he suspects is secretly guiding Class D from the shadows. This obsession drives him to launch a series of escalating provocations—both psychological and physical—against Class D and its students, including Suzune Horikita and Kei Karuizawa.
His key relationships are defined by this adversarial role. He holds a particular disdain for Suzune Horikita, whom he enjoys provoking and manipulating. To further his goals, he secures the cooperation of Kikyo Kushida, a spy from Class D, who feeds him valuable intelligence. His most significant relationship is with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, whom he initially does not recognize as his true opponent. Ryuuen considers Ayanokoji his rival and the target of his obsession, and their conflict forms the dramatic core of the second season. He is followed by a group of henchmen, including Daichi Ishizaki and Albert, who do his bidding out of fear or loyalty, though he shows them no real regard. He also has a notable connection with Mio Ibuki, a skilled fighter who eventually becomes one of his followers.
Over the course of the second season, Ryuuen’s development is marked by his escalating campaign against Class D, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Convinced that Kei Karuizawa knows the identity of X, he has her brought to the school rooftop and attempts to bully and torture the information out of her. This act culminates in a direct physical confrontation with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who reveals himself as X. In the ensuing fight, Ayanokoji effortlessly defeats him, showcasing a level of skill and emotional detachment that completely shatters Ryuuen's confidence. Following this crushing defeat, Ryuuen is initially prepared to accept expulsion from the school as a form of atonement, but Ayanokoji prevents him from doing so, hinting that he still has a role to play. This event marks a significant turning point, shaking the very foundations of his belief system and altering his trajectory from a dominant tyrant to a more calculated strategist.
In terms of abilities, Ryuuen is a formidable force. He is a highly skilled combatant, though he relies on a self-taught, street-fighting style developed through countless real battles rather than formal martial arts. He is strong enough to easily defeat skilled fighters like Daichi Ishizaki and Mio Ibuki. His true strength, however, lies in his tactical genius. He is a master of manipulation and strategy, capable of concocting elaborate plots such as the false accusation of Ken Sudo, the zero-point strategy during the deserted island exam, and the manipulation of class rosters during the sports festival. One of his most notable traits is his immense physical endurance and willpower. He is able to withstand a tremendous amount of punishment, getting up and continuing to fight even after taking a severe beating from Ayanokoji, a feat that impresses even his opponent.