Are you a fan of Classroom of the Elite?
Anime that explores the cutthroat world of academics and competition is always fascinating to watch.
Classroom of the elite is one such series that dives into the high-stakes world of schools and the students who will stop at nothing to come on top.
Get ready to be drawn into the world of psychological games as these anime will keep you on the edge of your seat.
So, let’s get started.
12. Danganronpa
Naegi an average student gets accepted into Hope’s Peak Private Academy which gathers the brightest student to provide the best education.
However, tables turn as Naegi finds the only way to graduate is to murder a fellow student, and together with other students they must escape this deadly game.
Similarities:
- The students are confined to schools.
- They compete against each other.
- Both anime have a cold female lead.
- In Danganronpa the students go through trials whereas classroom of the elite students have exams.
11. The Fruit Of Grisaia
Yuji Kazami is the first male student in Mihama, an academy for troubled students.
There, Yuji becomes involved with five female students who have dark secrets and troubled pasts.
He soon discovers sinister plots and conspiracies that threaten Mihama’s academy balance.
Similarities:
- The MC is like Ayanokyoji and even has a secret past.
- Both protagonists are modest.
- Both anime take place in an unusual high school.
- The Fruit Of Grisaia has a bit of violence.
10. Talentless Nana
Set in the year 20XX, where students attend a special school to sharpen their special abilities.
Nana Hiiragi is a transfer student at an academy for talented students where they train to become heroes.
Yet, she doesn’t have any special abilities and hopes of beating everyone with her smart brain.
Similarities:
- Both anime take place in high school.
- The students in school are isolated from the outside world.
- They compete against each other.
- Talentless Nana is a bit darker than classroom of the elite.
Also read: 15 Best Action Romance Manga
9. Baka And Test: Summon The Beasts
Fumizuki Academy divides its classes based on academic abilities.
Where class A has all luxury accommodations and low-rank class f has a rundown classroom. Akihisa Yoshii takes an entrance exam and gets placed in class f.
Together with his classmates, they compete against other classes to escape their brutal circumstances and are willing to do anything in their power to gain the luxury.
Similarities:
- Both have ranking systems.
- They compete with other classes.
- The protagonists hide their intelligence.
- “Baka And Test” has a comedic tone.
8. Hyouka
Oreki Houtarou is a member of the literature club who has a talent for solving mysteries.
Together with his fellow club members, they begin to solve the mysteries and uncover a series of dark secrets that shakes their lives.
Similarities:
- Both anime take place in high school.
- The protagonists have little emotions.
- Both anime have similar conflicts.
- Hyouka deals with students solving mystery cases together rather than competing.
7. Prison School
A group of five male students are enrolled in the all-girls, Hachimitsu Private Academy and are the only male students.
They quickly find trouble with the underground school committee and are subject to one month in prison as a punishment.
As they serve their time in prison they must perform certain tasks while getting beaten up by members.
Similarities:
- Both anime takes place in an unusual high school.
- The students are subjected to tasks.
- The main groups are considered underdogs.
- Prison School has more comedic scenes than Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi No Kyoushitsu E.
Also read: Best Action Manhwa
6. The Irregular At Magic High School
Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba are siblings who enroll in the prestigious First Magic High School.
However, they separated from each other due to strict school rules.
Tatsuya joins low-level course two while Miyuki Shiba enters the prestigious course one and both try to survive while avoiding trouble.
Similarities:
- Both MCs have high IQs.
- The protagonists try to keep their identities hidden from the rest.
- The MCs are cold-hearted.
- The Irregular At Magic High School has more episodes to binge-watch compared to classroom of the elite.
5. Kaguya Sama Love is War
Kaguya Shinomiya is a wealthy and intelligent woman who is admired by everyone in school. Miyuki Shirogane is the energetic student council president.
Both are student body representatives and have developed feelings for each other but neither of them is willing to admit their feelings because of their honor.
If you are hunting for a strategy anime-like classroom of the elite, then look no further.
Similarities:
- Both anime have high school backdrops.
- The students are a group of elites.
- Both MCs are intelligent.
- Kaguya Sama Love is War doesn’t have games or tasks but gives out similar vibes.
4. Kakegurui
In Hyakkaou Private Academy the winners are treated like kings and losers suffer pain.
The students are ranked based on their gambling abilities.
Yumeko Jabami is a compulsive gambler who enrolls in this school to uncover the secrets and lies of the academy.
Similarities:
- Both anime takes place in an unusual high school.
- Both have a lot of mind games.
- They have a ranking system.
- Kakeguri has better animation.
3. Tomodachi Game
Katagiri Yuichi a high school student values friendship above anything and enjoys his life.
However, after an incident, they are dragged into debt repayment (Tomodachi Game) and the only way to beat the game is to trust his friends under extreme conditions.
You should watch this anime if you are looking for psychological anime like the classroom of the elite.
Similarities:
- Both anime have a similar concept.
- Both animes MC have high IQs compared to other characters.
- The MCs manipulate their way to win.
- Tomodachi Game tasks deal with psychological aspects.
Also read: Best Gyaru Anime Recommendations For Otakus
2. Assassination Classroom
A class of misfits are tasked with the impossible mission of assassinating their alien teacher. Koro-Sensei before he destroys the earth.
The teacher destroyed the moon and has superhuman strength with bizarre powers.
Despite knowing their situation, the students are determined to complete the mission and save the world while developing their skills together.
Similarities:
- Both anime take place in a school backdrop.
- The anime has characters like Ayanokyoji that go through different challenges.
- The students rise their way to the top.
- Assassination Classroom has fewer plot twists compared to classroom of the elite.
1. No Game No Life
Sora and Shiro are siblings who are skilled gamers and together they are unbeatable.
However, after receiving an invitation they are transported into a world where all matters are resolved through games.
They quickly find themselves involved in high-stakes games and need all of their skills to emerge victorious.
Similarities:
- The main premise of both shows is similar.
- A group of people tries to achieve the top position while being at the bottom of the list.
- The characters take advantage of the loopholes in the system.
- No Game No Life is an Isekai anime in a fantasy world, whereas Classroom of the elite takes place in the real world.