The light novel series “Classroom of the Elite” is entering its third year, marking the final year for Kiyotaka Ayanokouji and his classmates at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. This arc promises new challenges and character developments as they face their last year of high school competitions.
New Information and Release
On February 25, 2025, the official website for “Classroom of the Elite: Year 3” will launch, providing fans with initial insights and teasers.
The first volume of Year 3 is scheduled for release on March 24, 2025, alongside the “Year 2 Official Guidebook.” This release is highly anticipated, given the series’ popularity and the completion of the first two years in previous volumes.
Anime Season 4 Context
「ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ」
— 『ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ』公式＠3年生編1&2年生編ガイド本3/24発売!４期制作決定! (@youkosozitsu) September 1, 2024
4th Season２年生編１学期の制作決定🎉
2年生になった綾小路と
新1年生たちのティザービジュアルを公開！
お楽しみに👀#you_zitsu #よう実 pic.twitter.com/Miioe2Fzmm
Interestingly, while Year 3 of the light novel is on the horizon, anime Season 4, announced earlier, will adapt the first semester of LN Year 2, not Year 3.
This means fans will see more of the second-year story in the anime before the light novel’s third year begins, potentially creating a gap in the narrative timeline for anime viewers.
“Classroom of the Elite: Year 3” and Related Developments
The light novel series “Classroom of the Elite,” authored by Shōgo Kinugasa and illustrated by Shunsaku Tomose, has captivated audiences since its inception in May 2015 under Media Factory’s MF Bunko J imprint.
The series, also known as Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e, follows the strategic and psychological battles of students at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, where class rankings and special exams determine their futures.
The narrative has been adapted into an anime, with three seasons covering the first year (volumes 1-11) and recent announcements for a fourth season focusing on the second year.
Light Novel Structure and Year 3 Announcement
◤￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
— 『ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ』公式＠3年生編1&2年生編ガイド本3/24発売!４期制作決定! (@youkosozitsu) January 24, 2025
✨お知らせ✨
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿◢
みなさま、お待たせしました！
『ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ』待望の３年生編の発売日が決定しました！🎉
３年生編１巻は、3月24日発売となります
情報は続きますよ#よう実 1/3 pic.twitter.com/vdkcEYRZ5n
The series is structured into arcs corresponding to the school years of the protagonists. The first year arc, consisting of 14 volumes including short story collections, concluded with the anime’s third season in March 2024.
The second year arc, titled “Classroom of the Elite: Year 2,” began in January 2020 and has released multiple volumes, with the latest information indicating 27 volumes as of January 2024, including short story collections and a prequel volume (Volume 0) released in December 2022.
On January 24, 2025, a significant official announcement was made revealing that “Classroom of the Elite: Year 3” will commence with its first volume on March 24, 2025.
This announcement also noted the launch of the Year 3 official website in February, with February 25, 2025, specified as a key date for new information, likely including teasers and previews. This release will be accompanied by the “Year 2 Official Guidebook,” enhancing the lore and details for fans.
Expected Content for Year 3
Shogo Kinugasa and Tomose Shunsaku Artbook Interview
byu/quandlm inClassroomOfTheElite
Given the series’ pattern, Year 3 will cover the third and final year of high school for Kiyotaka Ayanokouji and his classmates, now in their senior year.
The narrative is expected to escalate with more complex special exams, potentially focusing on college admissions or graduation-related challenges. New first-year and second-year students may be introduced, adding fresh dynamics to the class competitions.
The story might delve deeper into the school’s administration, possibly revealing more about the mysterious “White Room” and Ayanokouji’s background, as hinted in previous author interviews.
Previous interviews, such as one discussed on Reddit, suggest Kinugasa’s intentions for the series. He mentioned the possibility of Ayanokouji dropping out, no major new second-year students, and a turbulent, violent grade dynamic, which could extend into Year 3.
However, specific details for Year 3 remain undisclosed, with fans eagerly awaiting the February 25, 2025, website launch for teasers.
Anime Season 4 and Its Relation
A surprising detail emerged from earlier announcements, particularly from a September 2, 2024, stating that anime Season 4 will adapt the first semester of LN Year 2.
This decision means that while the light novel progresses to Year 3, the anime will lag, covering events from the second year.
This gap could lead to a narrative divergence, with anime viewers potentially experiencing Year 2 content while light novel readers explore Year 3, creating a unique viewing and reading experience.
Previous Arcs
Comparing Year 1 and Year 2, Year 1 focused on establishing the school’s meritocratic system, with Class D’s struggles and Ayanokouji’s strategic maneuvers.
Year 2 introduced new first-year students and continued the class competitions, with volumes like Year 2 Volume 3 detailing special exams on uninhabited islands, as noted in You-Zitsu Wiki.
Year 3 is poised to be the culmination, potentially resolving major plotlines and character developments, given its final-year setting.
Classroom of the Elite: Year 3″ represents the final chapter of the high school journey for its characters, with the February 25, 2025, website launch and March 24, 2025, volume release marking key milestones.
The anime’s focus on Year 2 for Season 4 adds an interesting layer, potentially extending the narrative timeline for anime viewers.
You can stream Classroom of the Elite on Crunchyroll, Muse Asia, and Netflix.
