The buzz around Classroom of the Elite Season 4 is electric, and it’s no surprise why. This anime, packed with mind-bending strategies and complex characters, has fans on edge after Season 3 wrapped up the first-year arc. Now, with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and his classmates stepping into their second year at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School, everyone’s eager for the next chapter. Here’s the latest on release date rumors, cast updates, and what to expect from this psychological thriller.
When’s Classroom of the Elite Season 4 Coming Out?
On September 1, 2024, Classroom of the Elite Season 4 got the green light at the MF Bunko J Summer School Festival 2024. A teaser visual dropped, and fans lost it. But when’s it actually hitting screens?
No official date’s been set yet. Looking at past seasons, production usually takes 12 to 18 months for a 13-episode run. Season 3 took about 18 months from announcement to airdate, so a 2026 premiere feels likely—probably early 2026, though some whispers hint at 2027. Talk of a May or August 2025 release pops up on forums, but that seems optimistic given the animation workload. Expect weekly episodes, like before.
Crunchyroll’s confirmed to stream Season 4, and platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or JioHotstar might join in, though nothing’s locked down. Want to prep? Binge Seasons 1–3 on Crunchyroll or Netflix now.
Who’s in the Cast of Classroom of the Elite Season 4?
The voice cast is a huge part of why Classroom of the Elite hits so hard. Shoya Chiba’s back as the sharp-witted Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, with Akari Kito as Suzune Horikita and Masaaki Mizunaka as Kakeru Ryuen. Expect Ayana Taketatsu, Yurika Kubo, and Ryota Osaka to return too, keeping the character chemistry tight.
The AnimeJapan 2025 teaser trailer teases new first-year students, so fresh voices are coming. Fan chatter on Reddit throws around names like Saori Hayami or Aoi Yuuki for characters like Nanase or Tsubaki, but nothing’s confirmed. These newbies are set to stir up drama and rivalries.
Studio Lerche’s handling animation again, with Seiji Kishi and Hiroyuki Hashimoto directing. Their work on Season 3’s slick visuals and tense vibe means Season 4’s in good hands.
What’s the Story Going to Be in Classroom of the Elite Season 4?
Season 4, dubbed Classroom of the Elite: Year 2, dives into the “Second-Year Arc, First Semester” from Shogo Kinugasa’s Classroom of the Elite: Year 2 light novels. Ayanokoji, Horikita, and their crew face new exams, rivalries, and psychological showdowns as second-years. The trailer hints at new first-years shaking things up, bringing more strategy, drama, and twists.
Ayanokoji’s icy cunning will stay front and center as he tackles tougher challenges in the cutthroat school. Horikita’s leadership growth and hints at Ayanokoji’s shadowy past will deepen the story. The light novel’s Year 3 arc just started in Japan in March 2025, so if Season 4 sticks to the source, more seasons could follow.
