Classroom of the Elite

Classroom of the Elite (Japanese: ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ, Hepburn: Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijōshugi no Kyōshitsu e; lit. 'Welcome to the Classroom of Real Ability Supremacism'), abbreviated as Yōjitsu (よう実) in Japan, is a Japanese light novel series written by Shōgo Kinugasa with illustrations by Shunsaku Tomose. It was published from May 2015 to September 2019 under Media Factory's MF Bunko J imprint; a sequel Classroom of the Elite: Year 2 (ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ 2年生編, Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijōshugi no Kyōshitsu e Ninensei-hen; lit. 'Welcome to the Classroom of Real Ability Supremacism Second-Year Students Edition') was published from January 2020 to November 2024. Another sequel Classroom of the Elite: Year 3 (ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ 3年生編, Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijōshugi no Kyōshitsu e Sannensei-hen; lit. 'Welcome to the Classroom of Real Ability Supremacism Third-Year Students Edition') began publishing in March 2025.

Set in the prestigious elite national high school 'Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School' established by the Japanese government. The story is about students assigned to four classes in the hierarchical order of 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D' who are in constant competition over their three years of schooling to decide which gets to ultimately graduate in 'Class A', whose graduating members are said to be promised automatic acception in any desired career path or further education.

A manga adaptation by Yuyu Ichino began its serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive on January 27, 2016. A manga adaptation of the sequel light novel series illustrated by Shia Sasane began serialization in the same magazine in December 2021. An anime television series adaptation produced by Lerche aired with the first season in 2017. A second season aired in 2022 and a third one in 2024. A fourth season is set to premiere in April 2026.

One of the best-selling light novels, Classroom of the Elite has received widespread critical acclaim, and has sold over 10.8 million copies in circulation.