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. The series is published under Media Factory's MF Bunko J imprint, with Classroom of the Elite: Year 1 published from May 2015 to September 2019; followed by its 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') published from January 2020 to November 2024, as well as the follow-up 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'), which 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 acceptance 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 animetelevision series adaptation produced by Lerche aired from July to September 2017, with the second season aired in July to September 2022, and the third season aired from January to March 2024. A fourth season aired from April to June 2026, and a fifth season has been announced.

The series has received widespread universal acclaim for its writing and darker themes, and has sold over 10.8 million copies in circulation, as one of the best-selling light novels.