7 Must-Read Light Novels for Fans of Classroom of the Elite

Classroom of the Elite was first a light novel by Shōgo Kinugasa with art by Shunsaku Tomose before becoming a popular manga and a 3-season anime adaptation. Despite some differences from its comic counterparts, such as the protagonist Ayanokōji being portrayed differently, the series maintained its appeal.

The story revolves around underperforming students striving to climb the ranks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School in a gripping psychological thriller. Fans who enjoyed the original light novel and its sequel can delve into more similar light novels once they finish these, keeping them engaged in the thrilling world of Classroom of the Elite.

Six Lying College Students

MyAnimeList Score: N/A

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- Six Lying College Students - MyAnimeList Score: N/A

Written by Akinari Asakura.

Illustrated by Iqura Sugimoto.

1 Volume.

Six Lying College Students has not been officially translated into English yet, but it is definitely worth checking out. It is a psychological thriller with a unique twist that would appeal to fans of CotE. Especially those looking for a more mature storyline, featuring college graduates instead of high school students. In this story, the students are competing for a job opportunity at the growing IT company SpriLinks.

Is It Tough Being a Friend?

It all starts off normally enough, as the last six applicants are tasked with joining forces and helping each other get a spot at the company. Once they're in, then their task changes. Now they must choose one person out of their group for the job, which causes them to attack each other. Then, finally, they each receive a single letter accusing them of murder. One of them is a killer, but which one is it? Readers will have to check it out to learn the answer.

MyAnimeList Score: 7.13

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- Is It Tough Being a Friend - MyAnimeList Score: 7.13 - Is It Tough Being a Friend?

Written by Yasushi Date.

Illustrated by Benio.

10 Volumes, 60 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

Some of the entries can be pretty serious, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. For readers looking for a more lighthearted approach to balance things out, a touch of humor could do the trick. It can still have all the drama, consequences, and surprises, but a little nudge and wink to the audience can make it more enjoyable. In other words, think of it as a fun twist like "Is It Tough Being a Friend?"

Ichirō is the main character of the story, but he prefers to play a supporting role in life. He would rather be the friend who stands by a more popular and attention-grabbing character than take the spotlight himself. Luckily, his wish comes true when he becomes friends with Ryūga, a charming young man with a mysterious past, special abilities, and a way with the ladies. However, Ichirō soon realizes that he plays a bigger role in Ryūga's life story than he ever imagined.

Sakurada Reset

MyAnimeList Score: 7.34

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- Sakurada Reset - MyAnimeList Score: 7.34

Written by Kōno Yutaka.

Illustrated by Yō Shiina.

7 Volumes, 37 Chapters.

Sakurada Reset (also known as Sagrada Reset) has also gained significant popularity alongside CotE. This sci-fi drama is set in a high school in Sakurada, a town where all residents possess superpowers. The story has been adapted into two manga series, two live-action movies, and an anime. With a blend of sci-fi, high school drama, and superhero themes, it has something for every fan.

Heaven's Memo Pad

Kei, a boy with a photographic memory, teams up with Misora, who can reset time up to 3 days in the past. Their unique abilities allow them to tackle difficult tasks efficiently since Kei retains memories of the 'reset' time. As members of the school's Service Club, they find themselves taking on responsibilities for the Administration Bureau, the governing body of the town. This decision leads to significant repercussions for them and Sakurada.

MyAnimeList Score: 7.81

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- Heaven's Memo Pad - MyAnimeList Score: 7.81 - Heaven’s Memo Pad

Written by Hikaru Sugii.

Illustrated by Mei Kishida.

9 Volumes, 57 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

It's interesting how English phrases can become popular in other languages. Take for example the term NEET ('Not in Education, Employment, or Training'), originally used by the British Government for certain unemployed individuals. In Japan, it has now become a common expression in manga, anime, and light novels such as Heaven’s Memo Pad, also known as AKA God’s Notebook, Notebook of God, and It’s Only the NEET Thing to Do.

Narumi had a hard time making friends and settling down in one place due to his father's job that required the family to constantly move. However, everything changes when he meets Alice. She is a brilliant hacker who spends most of her time in her room running a detective agency with her NEET friends to solve crimes. When Narumi discovers this, he joins her club and becomes involved in her larger investigation against a notorious crime syndicate.

The Dark Maidens

Amazon Score: 4/5 Stars.

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- The Dark Maidens - Amazon Score: 4/5 Stars.

Written by Rikako Akiyoshi.

Illustrated by booota and Kana Ōtsuki.

1 Volume, 8 Chapters.

The Dark Maidens is available in English through Vertical Inc. It ramps up the suspense faster than CotE by introducing a murder mystery. Itsumi, the beloved and beautiful student at St Mary's Academy, is discovered dead on campus. The Literature Club convenes a week later to honor her memory, but things take a dark turn as they share short stories about her final moments.

Kokoro Connect

The story delves into a tangle of disagreements and blame, with each memory casting a negative light on a different student. Who could be responsible for Itsumi's death? Or was it someone else entirely? What drove them to commit such a act? Could Itsumi have taken her own life? Taking inspiration from the renowned samurai film Rashomon, the narrative contrasts these memories to uncover a semblance of the truth.

MyAnimeList Score: 8.06

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- Kokoro Connect - MyAnimeList Score: 8.06

Written by Sadanatsu Anda.

Illustrated by Yukiko Horiguchi.

11 Volumes, 91 Chapters.

Fan Translations only.

For fans who enjoy CotE's intricate character dynamics, Kokoro Connect offers a similar experience. Initially appearing as a typical high school series centered around a group of friends, the main characters - Taichi, Iori, Himeko, Yoshifumi, and Yui - each possess unique traits. Together, they form the Cultural Research Club to explore their mutual interest in supernatural occurrences.

The plot takes a serious turn when a phenomenon causes the friends to switch bodies with one another. Initially played for laughs, this situation leads to heightened tensions as boundaries are crossed and secrets are exposed. The strain on their relationships intensifies as they navigate through various other supernatural events that occur simultaneously. Despite the challenges, they must uncover the cause of the body-swapping and find a way to put an end to it.

The Empty Box And Zeroth Maria

MyAnimeList Score: 8.70

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria - MyAnimeList Score: 8.70 - The Empty Box And Zeroth Maria

Written by Eiji Mikage.

Illustrated by Tetsuo.

7 Volumes, 40 Chapters.

The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria is available in English through Yen Press.

For readers looking for a more surreal twist on CotE, this series might be just what they need. It begins with Kazuki, a regular high school student content with his normal life. Despite being given a wish-granting box by a mysterious person named ‘O,’ Kazuki chooses not to open it, happy with the way things are.

My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected

So, O decides to send boxes to everyone around him to observe Kazuki's reaction to his life being disrupted. Eventually, a new student named Maria Otonashi enters their class. Despite being pretty, Maria struggles with social skills and makes a strange vow to "break" Kazuki, even though they have never met before. With O's schemes and Maria's intentions, Kazuki's life is about to become anything but ordinary.

MyAnimeList Score: 8.77

Light Novels Like Classroom of the Elite- My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected - MyAnimeList Score: 8.77

Written by Wataru Watari.

Illustrated by Ponkan.

18 Volumes, 168 Chapters.

Available in English via Yen Press.

If this sounds familiar, it may be because it was adapted into an anime called My Teenage Romantic Comedy SNAFU. Yen Press chose to use a more literal translation of the original Japanese name (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru, or OreGaIru for short) for its original light novel and manga adaptations, titling it My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong, As I Expected. Nevertheless, it still shares the school setting of CotE and features a similar trio as the main characters.

In this series, we follow the story of the cynical Hachiman and the cold Yukino who are brought together by the cheerful Yui as part of the Service Club. In this club, they assist other students with their problems. Despite Hachiman's harsh analysis and Yukino's lack of empathy, they appear to be mismatched for the role, yet they find a way to make it work. However, they still have their own personal issues to address and much to discover about themselves and each other.

Editor's P/S:

Classroom of the Elite, with its gripping psychological thriller plot, has captivated a wide audience. For fans seeking similar experiences, this article explores several light novels that offer unique and engaging stories. From the suspenseful Six Lying College Students to the humorous Is It Tough Being a Friend?, each recommendation provides a different perspective on the themes of competition, friendship, and personal growth.

Additionally, the article highlights the popularity of Sakurada Reset, which seamlessly blends sci-fi, high school drama, and superhero elements. Heaven's Memo Pad and The Dark Maidens delve into the realms of supernatural mysteries and murder investigations, respectively. Kokoro Connect examines the intricate dynamics of friendship and the challenges of navigating