The Spring 2026 Anime Season is almost here, and there are great series debuting or returning. While hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Oshi no Ko are bidding farewell (for a short time), giants like One Piece and Re:Zero, alongside promising series like Witch Hat Atelier, are about to take center stage.
Among some of the highly anticipated returns, there is Classroom of the Elite Season 4, a psychological thriller far from being your typical shonen series, which has built a solid, faithful base of fans since the release of Season 1 in 2017. Without further ado, let's delve into what this season has in store.
Spring 2026 Preview: Witch Hat Atelier
As the Winter 2026 anime season comes to a close, eager fans are looking ahead to spring, and one series in particular is drawing ample attention.
What is Classroom of the Elite About?
Classroom of the Elite is originally a light novel series written by Shogo Kinugasa and illustrated by Shunsaku Tomose. The series is also known as Youjitsu, from the Japanese title Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijoushugi no Kyoishitsu e (which literally means "Welcome to the Classroom of the Supremacy of the True Ability").
As the title suggests, it is set in an elite high school created by the government to nurture the next generation of leaders, so only selected students are able to enroll in this school after passing the entrance exams. To stimulate students into developing their abilities, the school offers a higher degree of freedom than any other high school in Japan.
The story follows Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, initially part of Class D, the "scum" of the school; that is, the class where the "inferior" students are assigned. However, it's important to note that being "defective" in an elite school usually still means being a brilliant student by regular standards. Students compete with each other to be "promoted" to higher classes, which means that those in Class D can still make their way into Class A.
Which Arcs Will Season 4 Cover?
The Classroom of the Elite novel is divided into three series: Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3, each composed of several volumes (the third series is still being serialized). The last anime season aired in 2024, covering the remaining volumes from Year 1. Therefore, Classroom of the Elite Season 4 will be the first season to adapt the second year of the story.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
As far as we know, a total of 16 episodes are listed for the new season, and taking into account the previous ones, which lasted for about 12–13 episodes each, the new season will likely cover from Volume 1 to Volume 4.5 of Classroom of the Elite Year 2, just like the first season covered from Volume 1 to Volume 4.5 of the first year. Year 2 Volume 5 begins with the School Sports Festival, so it seems more fitting as the start of a potential fifth season, especially since Crunchyroll is calling this season "the first semester," officially titled Classroom of the Elite Season 4: Second Year, First Semester.
Where to Watch and Release Date
|
Premiere Date |
April 1, 2026 |
|
Episode Count |
16 (reportedly) |
|
Where to Watch |
The fourth season is once again animated by studio Lerche, who produced all the previous seasons. However, there have been changes in the main staff. Noriyuki Nomata is now handling the direction, replacing Seiji Kishi, Hiroyuki Hashimoto, and Yoshihito Nishoujo, who directed the previous seasons (Kishi and Hashimoto were directors since the first season). Yasushi Shigenobu, who co-wrote season 3 with Hayato Kazano, is now credited as the head writer.
The first episode of Classroom of the Elite Season 4 will be released on April 1, 2026, in a special 90-minute broadcast. According to IGN India, this special broadcast will feature the first four episodes of the season. Therefore, season 4 will likely run for 12 weeks, but will consist of 16 episodes as the first four will be released in a single batch (likely adapting the first volume). Furthermore, Crunchyroll has confirmed it will stream the episodes as they air in Japan; the company also announced an English dub for the new season.
Is This Anime Worth Watching?
While studio Lerche might not be as famous as MAPPA, Madhouse, or Ufotable, it is generally known as a studio that delivers consistent animation. Nonetheless, production can sometimes suffer from common issues in the anime industry, especially inconsistencies usually related to reliance on outsourcing.
While Classroom of the Elite Season 1 was highly praised when it came out in 2017, Seasons 2 and 3, which were released in 2022 and 2024, respectively, had scheduling issues, inconsistent animation in many episodes, and some parts of the original plot were cut. That said, many fans are still satisfied with the pacing, character development, story, and the adaptation overall.
The series is often considered a great psychological thriller, so those who enjoy anime with strategy and some level of politics will probably not regret giving it a try, even if the animation might sometimes feel stiff or "cheap."
What's Going on in the Original Novel?
The following section contains spoilers for Classroom of the Elite Year 3.
The original novel is now in the last saga of the story, the third and final year of high school. Classroom of the Elite Year 3 Volume 1 was released in Japan in early 2025, and three volumes have already been released. The third volume covered the first special exam of the final year, involving a paintball competition, but the story hasn't yet finished the first semester of the school year.
In Year 3, Horikita and the others from Class D have been transferred to Class A (and such a huge "promotion" had never happened before). However, Ayanokoji remains the exception: he is now in Class C and will have to face his former allies and friends. The stakes are higher than ever, and fans are hyped about the following developments of the story.
Self-centered people can be hard to deal even if they have superior talent.
— Horikita
The light novel is published in the US by Seven Seas. So far, all volumes of Years 1 and 2 have been released in English, and the first two volumes for Classroom of the Elite Year 3 are scheduled for April and May 2026, respectively. So, those who might want to check out the original story can easily buy it in both print and digital formats.
Is There a Manga Adaptation of the Novel?
- There are a few manga adaptations, but fans prefer the anime or the original novel
- There's a manga spin-off focused on Horikita
There are actually manga adaptations of the novel, but they are not good options for those who want to check out the story. The manga by Yuyu Ichino, with 12 volumes, is notoriously unpopular among fans due to its shift in tone and characterization. It's technically still ongoing, and it covers events for Year 1.
There is also a manga titled Classroom of the Elite: Year 2, by Shia Sasane, covering part of the second year, with 4 volumes. Following its conclusion, Hachi Komada started a manga titled Classroom of the Elite: Year 2 2nd Stage in early 2025. The manga adaptations for the second year are generally well-received, especially compared to the one of the first year. Still, it's more recommended to either watch the anime or read the novels before jumping into them.
Finally, there is a 2-volume manga by Sakagaki focusing on Horikita Suzune, one of the most popular characters in the series, in a "what if" setting. Seven Seas publishes both the adaptation for the first year and Horikita's spin-off series in the US.
Classroom of the Elite is available to watch on Crunchyroll, subbed and dubbed in English and other languages.
Classroom of the Elite
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2024-00-00
- Network
- AT-X
- Directors
- Hiroyuki Hashimoto, Seiji Kishi, Yoshihito Nishouji, Noriyuki Nomata, Masaru Kanamori, Yohei Fukui, Yuki Nagasawa, Yoshinari Suzuki, Mako Shiina, Song Hyeon-dae, Takuma Suzuki, Yuka Tsuda, Lisa Notaro, Hideki Takayama, Hideki Tonokatsu, Taro Kubo, Takahiro Majima, Fumio Itou, Tatsu Yamamoto, Atsuko Tonomizu, Yasunori Goto, Nana Fujiwara, Kentaro Iino, Kanae Komoda
- Writers
- Aoi Akashiro, Kou Shigenobu, Kyōko Katsuya, Ohine Ezaki, Hayato Kazano, Ukyo Kodachi
Cast
-
Shoya ChibaKiyotaka Ayanokoji (voice) -
Akari KitoSuzune Horikita (voice)
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Lerche
- Japanese Title
- Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Shōgo Kinugasa
- Number of Episodes
- 38
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Shogo Kinugasa
