- class-lead of 2 aircraft carriers (sister ship Zuikaku) completed shortly before the start of hostilities in the Pacific.
- The ships formed the 5th Carrier Division of the 1st Air Fleet (Kidou Butai) and took part in the attack at Pearl Harbor, the Indian Ocean Raid and the battle at Coral Sea. Both returned to Japan afterwards for repair and resupply thus missing the battle of Midway.
- Shokaku was sunk during the battle of Philippine Sea by the submarine USS Cavalla
- Zuikaku was sunk during the battle of Cape Engaño (Battle of Leyte Gulf) due to air attacks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shōkaku-class_aircraft_carrier
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_aircraft_carrier_Shōkaku
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_aircraft_carrier_Zuikaku