10 Best Anime Like Classroom Of The Elite

While many high school anime series tend to have a light-hearted and easygoing tone, Classroom Of The Elite stands out as a slice-of-life psychological thriller that depicts a cutthroat environment where only the best can thrive. The protagonist, Kiyotaka, is known for his deadpan demeanor and exceptional intellect, which he uses to masterfully manipulate those around him. As a result, he has gained a reputation as one of the laziest yet most intelligent anime characters of all time.

As viewers await the arrival of Classroom Of The Elite Season 3, they may be searching for other anime series to satisfy their cravings following the end of the show's second season. Since the third season of Classroom Of The Elite isn't expected until 2023, fans can take solace in the fact that there are many other great anime series available to fulfill their desires. 

10. No Game No Life

No Game No Life may not have a groundbreaking premise, but it gained popularity among anime fans due to its NEET sibling protagonists, Sora and Shiro, who dominate a new virtual world as its top players. The series' outstanding animation and endearing characters set it apart from others in the genre.

Fans of Classroom Of The Elite may appreciate the similarities between the two series' protagonists, as Sora shares some traits with Kiyotaka, such as being a strategic thinker who is always several steps ahead. Meanwhile, Shiro bears a resemblance to Horikita.

9. The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya

Followers of Classroom Of The Elite are well-acquainted with Kiyotaka's characteristic deadpan remarks that he delivers throughout the series. While not necessarily comedic, fans find themselves entertained by some of his comments. In this regard, Kyon from The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya bears a striking similarity to Kiyotaka.

Kyon, the male protagonist of The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya, is renowned for his sarcastic and snarky comments, making him a classic example of a male tsundere. His world is filled with peculiar characters who often irritate him, leading him to respond with his witty remarks. Thanks to Kyon's strong character, the anime is a never-ending adventure, full of excitement and surprises.

8. Death Note

Although they may not appear similar at first glance, Death Note and Classroom Of The Elite share some similarities. Classroom Of The Elite's drama is more subdued compared to other slice-of-life series, while Death Note's plot is more intense and exaggerated for dramatic effect.

For viewers who enjoyed Classroom Of The Elite, Death Note offers a character-driven plot with intricate storytelling. In contrast to Light, Kiyotaka remains relatively passive throughout the series, allowing the story to unfold on its own. Death Note is a classic shonen anime that every anime enthusiast should watch at least once, and its relevance persists to this day.

7. Komi Can't Communicate

While many slice-of-life high school anime tend to follow a predictable formula without much uniqueness, Komi Can't Communicate stands out with its impressive animation, distinct art style, and a character-driven narrative.

The anime revolves around Shoko Komi, a girl who suffers from severe social anxiety and sets a goal to make 100 friends before graduation. Tadano is the first person to discover that writing helps her communicate effectively, and he offers to assist her in her quest. Although Komi Can't Communicate is significantly more comedic and chaotic than Classroom Of The Elite, it's an anime worth watching.

6. Hyouka

At first glance, Houtarou from Hyouka might seem like a lazy student who only cares about napping, but he's actually a genius who prefers to conserve his energy by not applying himself. Similarly to Classroom Of The Elite's Kiyotaka, Houtarou is apathetic towards his surroundings, yet possesses impressive deduction skills.

Both characters purposely keep their grades average to avoid drawing attention and prefer blending into the background. However, unlike Kiyotaka, Houtarou doesn't use his deduction skills to manipulate or read others, but rather to solve mysteries alongside the other members of the Classics Club.

5.Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War and Classroom Of The Elite share a fanbase, but the former has a noticeably higher level of energy. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War follows the story of two outstanding high school students who hold the positions of president and vice president in the student council of Shuuichin High School, an elite educational institution.

Kaguya and Miyuki are deeply in love with each other, but they both refuse to confess their feelings. Instead, they engage in a series of strange mind games to try to get the other to confess first. In Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War, the main characters' pride is at stake, as the one who confesses their love first loses the game. While a straightforward confession would solve the problem, it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining for the audience.

4.Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom centers around Class 3-E, a group of students who have been marginalized by the rest of the school due to their poor academic performance. The series features a variety of quirky characters from the school's student body. Although the premise of the show is similar to Classroom of the Elite, there is a significant twist. The students in Class 3-E are tasked with assassinating their strange, yellow, octopus-like teacher, Koro-Sensei, before he destroys the planet. As the story unfolds, numerous attempts are made to eliminate him. The series ultimately reveals to the audience that assassination is a serious matter.

3.My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU

Fans of Classroom Of The Elite may find My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU to be similarly appealing. While most of the characters in the show have a lighthearted tone, the protagonist, Hachiman, is similar to Kiyotaka in that he is apathetic and sarcastic. Unlike Kiyotaka, however, Hachiman has no friends and doesn't actively seek out any social connections. He views youth as a waste of time and is highly critical of how people interact with each other. As a punishment for his essay criticizing human behavior, Hachiman is forced to join the Volunteer Service Club. Throughout the series, he gradually opens up to others, but his cynical and introverted tendencies remain.

2.Prison School

Classroom Of The Elite has received mixed reactions from viewers due to its high amount of fan service. Those who dislike fan service may not be interested in other anime that contain it, while those who are more tolerant may enjoy shows like Prison School. The story of Prison School takes place at Hachimitsu Academy, which has a prison facility for its misbehaving students.

In the story, Kiyoshi is the main character who gets caught spying on girls and is subsequently sent to the school's prison. Once there, he and his fellow inmates face various forms of humiliation and torture, and they hatch a plan to escape. Prison School is a show that features explicit content and is not recommended for those who are easily disturbed.

1.Kakegurui

Kakegurui is a series set in a unique academy similar to Classroom of the Elite, where students can use gambling to climb the social ladder. However, unlike the former, the students at Hyakkaou Private Academy do not rely on hard work and grades to achieve their goals.

The focus of Kakegurui is on gambling, where students not only learn the basics but also how to manipulate and exploit their opponents. With unsettling visuals, intense scenarios, and a blend of fan service and horror, Kakegurui is a series that appeals to fans of darker themes.