Animes Similar to Classroom Of The Elite. When it comes to anime series comparable to Classroom of the Elite, it’s interesting to explore stories beyond the high school romance we’re used to.
The series uniquely deviates from the norm, featuring a school environment where the main characters have stoic attitudes and the students engage in a conspiracy to maintain their position at the top, deviating from the usual romantic themes often seen in anime set in schools.
After the memorable conclusion of the second season of the series, fans are enthusiastically looking for shows with a similar theme. We have compiled a selection list of anime in various genres, such as comedy, romantic, psychological, and others.
Despite the diverse genres, the series we selected have something in common that reflects the alluring essence found within Classroom of the Elite.
List of Animes Similar to Classroom of the Elite
1. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (2013)
Hachiman Hikigaya, a lackluster high school student with narcissistic and semi-nihilistic tendencies, is firmly convinced that the idea of a happy youth is just a pseudo-imitation, and anyone who claims otherwise is just deceiving themselves.
As punishment for writing an essay mocking modern social relations, Hachiman’s teacher forces him to join a volunteer service club. The club is dedicated to providing assistance to students struggling to achieve their goals.
With the only other member of the club being the elegant ice queen, Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman suddenly finds himself embroiled in the affairs of others—a role he never imagined before.
As Hachiman and Yukino use their intelligence to solve various students’ problems, will Hachiman’s cynical view of society be a hindrance or a valuable asset?
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the series has a protagonist who appears disinterested, has average intelligence, and is lacking in social skills. However, behind this facade, they demonstrate exceptional skills in various fields and a deep understanding of their situation.
2. Assassination Classroom (2015)
Secluded in the mountains near the prestigious Kunugigaoka High School lies a dilapidated building that houses delinquent students from Grades 3–E. The students of this class are despised by their peers, seeming to have little hope in developing their academic careers.
That is, until the government assigns them a daunting mission: to eliminate the greatest threat to their planet—a strange new teacher. Having previously destroyed the moon, the mysterious professor of octopus-like form known as Koro-sensei now threatens to destroy Earth in March of the following year.
In pursuit of their task, the students find that disposing of them is not an easy task.
Assassination Classroom is very similar to Classroom of the Elite; the core cast or students in both series have to face significant tests in their school lives. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding each student, they go through extraordinary situations to overcome seemingly ordinary but very meaningful aspects of their lives.
3. Tomodachi Game (2022)
High school student Yuuichi Katagiri highly values his close group of friends, consisting of four classmates: Yutori Kokorogi, Shiho Sawaragi, Makoto Shibe, and Tenji Mikasa.
However, when funds for an upcoming school trip are stolen, the incident leads to a showdown between Shiho and Makoto, the student in charge of collecting the money, and the other students.
Shortly after, Yuuichi and his friends are tricked into meeting and are knocked unconscious by an unknown assailant. Upon regaining consciousness, they awaken in a white room with a mysterious figure, Manabu-kun, who reveals that one of the five has been collecting them to pay off a personal debt of twenty million yen.
To pay off the debt, they must participate in a series of psychological games that will test the authenticity of their friendship and humanity.
If you appreciate the main characters in this anime, you are likely to find interesting things about the protagonist, Classroom of the Elite. Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the series centers on high school students who must devise plans and strategies to overcome difficult situations.
The main characters in both series are high school students with very high IQs who consistently use their intelligence to defeat their opponents in order to achieve their goals.
4. Hyouka (2012)
Houtarou Oreki, a freshman in high school, has a simple goal: to live an energy-efficient life that is not eventful. However, his peaceful days come to an end when his older brother, Tomoe, forces him to save the nearly extinct Classic Club.
Fortunately, Oreki’s problems seem to be resolved when he arrives at the clubroom and finds Eru Chitanda, a peer first-year student, already a member. Although initially reluctant, Oreki ends up being fascinated by Chitanda’s curious and lively personality, which leads him to join the club willingly.
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, this anime series has a common theme of problem solving. The key difference lies in the technology and nature of the problem.
The Classroom of the Elite featured more advanced technology and problems similar to the puzzles and games given out by the school. On the other hand, Hyouka focuses on puzzles and mysteries that arise in everyday life.
5. Kakegurui (2017)
Hyakkaou Private Academy is different from ordinary schools, as it prepares students for the real world in a unique way. As many of its students are descendants of the richest people in the world, the academy has peculiarities that set it apart from the rest.
In the daytime, the academy provides a standard education in history, languages, and more. However, at night, this academy turns into a gambling establishment, teaching students the art of manipulating money and mind games. Here, money meant power, and those who excelled in the game topped the school hierarchy.
Yumeko Jabami, a seemingly innocent and beautiful transfer student, is ready to try Hyakkaou’s unique curriculum. Unlike his friends, he didn’t gamble to win; he enjoyed the thrill of gambling. The unconventional and almost insane approach to gambling brings a new dynamic to the gambling table.
Like Classroom of the Elite, the series has a similar setting and action. They take place in a hierarchical school setting where defeating opponents is the key to success. If you enjoy one of the two, you will most likely appreciate the other as well.
6. Baka and Test-Summon the Beasts (2010)
Fumizuki Academy is not an ordinary Japanese high school. It has an innovative system for categorizing students. At the end of their first year, the exam divides the entire student body, with the highest rank going to Grade A and the lowest rank going to Grade F.
Akihisa Yoshii, our protagonist, finds himself in the lowest class, which is class F. Unfortunately, this class has the worst facilities, with outdated equipment, worn furniture, and even broken tables. On the other hand, her friend Yuuji Sakamoto and genius girl Mizuki Himeji are also in Class F due to unforeseen circumstances.
Baka to Test is similar to Classroom of the Elite; these two anime have the same core concept and a similar school hierarchy arrangement. Even the main characters in both series have some similarities.
However, Classroom of the Elite takes a more serious approach. Both protagonists are placed in the idiot class with poor overall grades. It’s worth watching the two to compare, and Baka to Test offers a lighthearted and comedic experience.
7. Talentless Nana (2020)
Half a century ago, terrible creatures known as enemies of humanity suddenly appeared around the world. To counter this threat, teenagers blessed with supernatural abilities called talents, including pyrokinesis and time manipulation, undergo rigorous training at an academy on a remote island.
Nanao Nakajima, however, is different from the others on the island: she has no talent. Surrounded by capable peers, Nanao is often the target of bullying, but she remains committed to honing her skills.
Everything changes with the arrival of two transfer students, the mysterious Kyouya Onodera and the mind-reading Nana Hiiragi. As friendships begin to form among the students, a series of mysterious disappearances threaten to ignite chaos in their class union.
Like Classroom of the Elite, the series centers on manipulation, analysis, and deceit. Both are set in a well-funded school environment with strong government influence.
If you enjoy one of them, chances are that you will also find the others very interesting.
8. The Fruit of Grisaia (2014)
Yuuji Kazami, a transfer student, has just entered Mihama Academy. However, her hopes of living an ordinary high school life are soon shaken, as Mihama Academy is very far from an ordinary school.
Consisting of only the principal and five other students, all of whom are girls, Yuuji begins to get to know each of them and discovers the hidden background of the trauma, as social interaction is inevitable.
Slowly, she begins to uncover the dark past hidden within this small group of students who have suffered traumatic experiences. Mihama Academy serves as a refuge for these girls, who are the fruits that fall from their trees and begin to rot.
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the main characters in both series have hidden tragic pasts that have shaped them into cold, calculated, and almost emotionless individuals. As a result, both protagonists are very strong.
Both of these shows have a similar harem concept, with the characters in the harem having unique psychological characteristics. The art and production styles in both series are very similar, even to the point that one might think they were both made by the same studio. Both series explore the dark side of human nature in a strong and distinctive art style.
9. The Irregulars at Magic High School (2014)
By the beginning of the 21st century, magic, once considered folklore and fairy tales, had developed into a systematic technology and was taught as a technical skill.
At the first high school, an institution for magicians, students were divided into two groups based on their entrance exam scores: Bloom, who scored high, was placed in the first grade, while Weeds were reserve students who were placed in the second grade.
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei follows brothers Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, both enrolled in high school. After the entrance exam, the talented Miyuki is placed in the first class, while Tatsuya is placed in the second class.
The two most important aspects of Classroom of the Elite are the characters and the setting and environment. The plot is just the result of the interaction of these two elements and is not the main focus when looking for similar anime.
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the characters in the series are known for their intelligence, ingenuity, and mysterious nature, making them a common thread. If you appreciate the theme of unpredictable protagonists defeating arrogant opponents, you will most likely enjoy both series.
10. No Game, No Life (2014)
Disboard, a world ruled by Tet, the sole God, became home to sixteen sentient races. At the lowest part of this hierarchy lies the Imanity, a race of humans who have no innate magical abilities.
In a world where everything is decided through play, humanity seems trapped with no hope of change. However, a ray of hope appears with the arrival of two strangers.
On Earth, half-siblings Sora and Shiro, known as Blank in the online gaming world, are an inseparable couple and are very good at various games. Even though they are famous in the virtual world, they think of life as just an ordinary game.
Their world undergoes a dramatic change when they respond to a message from an unknown sender, and they are suddenly transported to Disboard. The mysterious sender, Tet, introduces them to the absolute rules of this world. After Tet leaves, Sora and Shiro begin a search for information and shelter, which leads them to Elkia, the Last Kingdom of Imanity.
These two events bear a remarkable resemblance. Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the series involves underdogs, individuals at the bottom of the hierarchy, who try the seemingly impossible to become number one despite having flaws.
They often achieve this through cunning strategies, which may not be noticeable until the very top, when the protagonist usually reveals something seemingly ordinary from the previous episode, which turns out to be important in determining the winner.
11. Death Note (2006)
The human world is plagued by brutal murders, trivial thefts, and meaningless violence. On the contrary, the world of the God of Death was a monotonous and unchanging gambling ground. Light Yagami, a genius 17-year-old Japanese student, and Ryuk, the sadistic God of Death, have a shared belief: their world is a fundamentally broken world.
For his own pleasure, Ryuk drops his Death Note into the human world. Light finds it and initially perceives the first rule as something ridiculous: the human whose name is written in this notebook will die. However, the temptation was so great, and Light experimented with writing the name of a criminal, starting his first murder.
Like Classroom of the Elite, the series features protagonists with cold behavior characterized by extraordinary intelligence. Although Light is portrayed as more intelligent, especially in the first season, Kiyotaka, the main character in Classroom of the Elite, shows a higher level of cruelty. In the end, both series are very special and worth watching.
Read also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Death Note
12. Charlotte (2015)
Yuu Otosaka has a strange ability that allows him to momentarily take over the minds and bodies of others. Had it not been for this power, he would have become an ordinary high school student.
Although her abilities are limited to just five seconds, Yuu uses them to manipulate the course of her life and earn a place at a prestigious high school, where she continues her cheating practices.
His acrobatics stop when Nao Tomori, the assiduous student council president of Hoshinoumi Academy, uncovers his lies. Under duress, Nao convinces Yuu to move to Hoshinoumi and join the student council.
Unbeknownst to many, Hoshinoumi Academy is an institution for teenagers with supernatural abilities, and the student council is instrumental in identifying those who abuse their powers.
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the main characters in the series have a striking resemblance, and the dynamics of their relationship are in line with each other. Both series present school plays with similar nuances. If you enjoy one of the two, you are very likely to appreciate the other.
13. Code Geass (2006)
The Holy Empire of Britannia began to incarnate as a dominant military state, starting with the conquest of Japan. Named Area 11 after its quick defeat, Japan has seen significant resistance to these tyrants in an attempt to regain independence.
Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannia student, unfortunately finds himself caught up in a battle between Britannia forces and Area 11 rebels. However, thanks to the timely arrival of a mysterious girl named C.C., he managed to escape. Give him the Geass, the King’s power.
Realizing the immense potential of his newfound power of absolute obedience, Lelouch embarks on a risky journey as the masked hero known as Zero, leading a merciless attack against Britannia to exact revenge once and for all.
Like Classroom of the Elite, the main character in this story is very smart and strategic. They face off in strategy-based situations, often challenging powerful entities such as governments.
What distinguishes them is their unshakable determination to use any necessary means, including manipulating those around them, to achieve their goals.
Read also: 16 Best Animes Like Code Geass
14. One Out (2008)
Toua Tokuchi is an expert in baseball and gambling. His skill in the game of one-outs, a one-on-one battle between pitchers and hitters, has made him famous for going on a 499-game winning streak. Despite his extraordinary abilities, Tokuchi saw this sport only as a way to make money quickly.
When Hiromichi Kojima, the legendary hitter of the Saikyou Saitama Lycaons, witnessed Tokuchi’s skills firsthand, he realized that Tokuchi might be the key to overcoming his team’s slump.
Determined to recruit Tokuchi, Kojima risks his own career and defeats Tokuchi in his own specialty, one-outs.
Similar to Classroom of the Elite, the characters of the two series, Tokuchi and Ayanokouji, have similarities. Both are very intelligent and good at overcoming their opponents.
They also hide their true intentions from the other characters. Money plays an important role in both of these stories, whether in the form of points or currency.
15. Kiznaiver (2016)
Katsuhira Agata is a quiet and shy teenager who has lost the ability to feel pain. His friend, Chidori Takashiro, can barely remember the days before Katsuhira underwent a profound change.
Katsuhira’s calm demeanor makes him an easy target for bullies, who use him to make money. Even their blows only took him a little by surprise, as his emotions seemed distant.
However, one day, Katsuhira, Chidori, and four other teenagers are kidnapped and forced to join the Kizuna system as official Kiznaivers. This system connects them through joint pain; if one member is injured, the other will feel the same pain.
They become unwelcome participants in an experiment aimed at achieving world peace. With their lives intertwined, the Kiznaivers must reveal their true selves to each other or face more than the failure of the Kizuna system.
Like Classroom of the Elite, the show delves into the psychological aspects of their characters and how they interact with their environment. They are set in a controlled territory with specific plans for social development.
One aims for world peace, and the other guarantees a bright future for students, but both stories center on teenagers facing the challenges faced by the ruling system. In addition, the main male characters in both series have similarities.
If you enjoy one of them, you will most likely appreciate the others as well.
For those of you who love Anime Classroom of the Elite and are looking for anime similar to Classroom of the Elite, then the list above is a recommendation for some selected anime similar to Classroom of the Elite, which you might be able to watch. Thank you very much for reading this article, and see you in the next article. Enjoy watching, and have a nice day.
