Classroom of the Elite is one of the most anticipated psychological thrillers globally and is a thrilling look at competitive merit systems and hidden intelligence, represented by the character of Kiyotaka Ayanokōji, who attends an elite school in Tokyo (sometimes referred to as Tokyo’s Advanced Nurturing High School). Many fans are excited about the release of season 4, which will start with the Year 2 arc and will include even more mind games, more special exams, more betrayals, and even greater threats from first-year students related to Ayanokōji’s past, following the emotional and strategic highs of season 3, set to be released in 2024. Season 4 will start on April 1, 2026, with an extended 90-minute episode covering the first four episodes, produced by studio Lerche and streamed on Crunchyroll.
Classroom of the Elite Season 4: Release Date and Time
The next season of the series will debut on April 1st, 2026. The premiere will include a special 90-minute extended episode containing episodes 1-4 consecutively (this is good for viewers looking for binge-style viewing of the new storyline).
Currently, there are no specifics regarding the weekly air times of the new season of the series in Japan (the hour), but the series will likely follow standard anime broadcast time slots on Japanese television networks and simulcast via streaming services. As of mid-March 2026, we are only a few weeks away!
All new episodes will be available to stream on Crunchyroll, with simulcast availability on the same day as the Japanese airing. Subtitles will be available, and later, there may also be dubbed versions available, based on the past seasons.
Classroom of the Elite Season 4: Cast Details
The core returning cast from previous seasons includes:
- Shōya Chiba as Kiyotaka Ayanokōji
- Other mainstays like Akari Kitō (Kei Karuizawa), Ayana Taketatsu (Suzune Horikita), and more are expected to return, though specific confirmations focus on the new additions.
New voice cast members for first-year students introduced in Year 2:
- Minako Satō as Tsubasa Nanase
- Hiroya Egashira (or Igashira in some reports) as Kazuomi Hōsen
- Momoko Seto as Ichika Amasawa
- Shinnosuke Tokudome (additional first-year roles)
- Iori Saeki
- Shōgo Sakata
These additions were revealed in late 2025 promotions.
Staff includes Studio Lerche returning for animation, with Noriyuki Nomata directing this season, series composition by Yasushi Shigenobu and others, and music by Masaru Yokoyama and Kana Hashiguchi.
Classroom of the Elite Season 4: Story
In the fourth season, the second year arc (the first half) of Shōgo Kinugasa’s light novel sequel series is adapted.
This season occurs during the second year of Advanced Nurturing High School, located in Tokyo, and presents a new set of challenges and struggles for Kiyotaka Ayanokōji and company. This time, they are met with a new class of unique first-year students, creating new challenges and conflict. The intensity of the stakes increases due to the length of the special exams. The second years must complete a mixed-grade written exam, which requires that they do not fail their respective class groups; otherwise, they will face the possibility of expulsion; however, first years will be protected from expulsion.
There will be a significant twist: a number of the new first-year students have come from the mysterious White Room, which puts Ayanokōji in a position where he must find and eliminate the threat to him so that he can continue living a sheltered life and not be expelled.
Expect many more psychological battles, betrayals, alliances, power plays, and mind games involving merit-based systems at the school. This part of the storyline develops on the intensity demonstrated in the first year portion of the series.
Trailers and key visual elements are readily available, depicting the new class dynamics and Ayanokōji’s navigation through the multiple threats posed to him as he deals with the newly developed class.
If you have made it through season three, the anticipation of the next season will come to an end soon! For trailers and other visual elements, look for sources that are associated with the series.