Flying Colors (2015) Plot Summary Explained

Sayaka decided to pursue Keio University after being belittled by her father and a high school teacher who predicted she would fail. Her father's dismissal of her potential and his focus on pushing her younger brother Ryuta toward professional baseball ignited her determination to prove everyone wrong. The tutor Yoshitaka Tsubota also motivated her by making it his personal mission to help her get into Keio and show up her doubters.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, her father questions whether the cram school is scamming the family, setting up her motivation to prove him wrong.

• sayaka
• kudo
• keio university
• study motivation
• father

Sayaka dramatically improved her deviation value from 30 to 70 through relentless dedication during summer and her third year. She sacrificed sleep, skipped dates with friends, and committed to single-minded study sessions at Seiho Cram School. Her tutor Yoshitaka Tsubota provided dedicated guidance, and her practice test results steadily improved, reflecting her consistent effort and the rigorous preparation.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows her initial academic improvement starting during summer when she commits to studying seriously.

• deviation value
• academic improvement
• study
• cram school
• test scores

Sayaka cut her hair and dyed it back to black as a visible symbol of her transformation and commitment to studying. This outward change represented her break from her previous gyaru lifestyle and signaled her serious dedication to the Keio entrance exam. The physical transformation mirrored her internal resolve to abandon her carefree attitude and focus entirely on her academic goals.

Foreshadowing: The decision to transform her appearance occurs during the summer when she commits to studying seriously.

• hair transformation
• gyaru
• commitment
• visual change

Yoshitaka Tsubota treated Sayaka's admission to Keio as a personal mission, partly to get back at her father who had dismissed and belittled her. He aimed to prove the doubters wrong and demonstrate that Sayaka could achieve what others considered impossible. His determination drove him to provide dedicated tutoring and support throughout her journey.

Foreshadowing: The tutor's personal vendetta against her father's skepticism is established early in the cram school scenes.

• yoshitaka tsubota
• tutor
• motivation
• cram school
• father

Sayaka's father belittled her throughout her life, calling her an air-head and dismissing her potential. He also pushed her younger brother Ryuta toward professional baseball despite Ryuta's reluctance, showing preferential attention. Additionally, he accused the cram school of scamming the family, undermining Sayaka's academic journey. This constant dismissal fueled Sayaka's determination to prove him wrong.

Foreshadowing: The family dynamics and father's attitude are established from the start of the story.

• father
• family conflict
• belittlement
• ryuta
• parental pressure

Keio University is one of Japan's most prestigious and competitive institutions, known for its rigorous entrance requirements. Getting admitted represents a major achievement, especially for a student like Sayaka who started at a fourth-grade academic level. Her acceptance signifies triumph over past failures and proves the doubters wrong.

Foreshadowing: The significance of Keio is established early when the tutor sets it as the goal.

• keio university
• japan
• prestige
• entrance exam
• university

Sayaka was suspended from her private all-girls high school for being caught carrying cigarettes. This incident occurred during her second year and highlighted her rebellious, carefree behavior before her transformation. It also prompted her mother to enroll her in Seiho Cram School to salvage her university prospects.

Foreshadowing: The cigarette incident is the first major event that sets her on the path to change.

• suspension
• cigarette
• high school
• rebellion

Ryuta, Sayaka's younger brother, was reluctant to pursue professional baseball despite their father's pressure. The film doesn't specify his exact reasons, but his resistance represents another instance of the father forcing his aspirations onto his children. Ryuta's situation parallels Sayaka's struggle to define her own path rather than meet parental expectations.

Foreshadowing: Ryuta's reluctance is mentioned early in the family dynamics established by the father.

• ryuta
• baseball
• father pressure
• family expectations

Despite her father's belittlement, Sayaka received support from her mother, who enrolled her in Seiho Cram School, and eventually from her entire family. When she faced hardships and nearly gave up, her family and tutor rallied around her, providing emotional encouragement. Their unified support helped her persevere through exhaustion and achieve her goal.

Foreshadowing: The timeline notes that family support becomes crucial during the late stages of her journey.

• family support
• mother
• cram school
• encouragement

The ending montage features various characters singing or dancing to the ending song in a lighthearted, comedic sequence. This celebratory finale wraps the film on an uplifting note, emphasizing communal triumph and joy rather than individual achievement. It reinforces the film's hopeful, positive tone and provides satisfying closure after Sayaka's difficult journey.

Foreshadowing: The montage occurs immediately after her Keio admission, celebrating the completed journey.

• ending montage
• celebration
• finale
• positive tone