Flying Colors

Flying Colors

Year: 2015

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Nobuhiro Doi

DramaComedy

A high school student, Sayaka Kudō, initially struggled academically and was at the bottom of her class. Through dedication and hard work, she dramatically improved her academic performance, raising her deviation value from 30 to 70. This impressive turnaround allowed her to achieve a remarkable feat: gaining admission to Keio University, a highly competitive institution in Japan known for its rigorous entrance requirements.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Flying Colors yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Flying Colors (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Flying Colors (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events take place in modern-day Japan, following Sayaka from her summer holiday through her final high school exams. The calendar centers on school terms, breaks, and the intense preparation for university entry. The setting reflects current educational pressures and cultural emphasis on prestigious universities like Keio.

Location

Private all-girls high school, Seiho Cram School, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

Set in modern-day Japan, the story unfolds across a private all-girls high school, Seiho Cram School, and Keio University in Tokyo. These institutions illustrate Japan's competitive education system, where exam results influence social standing and future opportunities. The urban campuses and tutoring centers create a high-stakes atmosphere around academic achievement.

🎓 Education 🏙️ Urban setting 🏫 School life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

Main Characters – Flying Colors (2015)

Meet the key characters of Flying Colors (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sayaka Kudo

A vibrant, blonde gyaru who is academically lagging behind her peers. She transfers schools frequently and often faces belittlement from teachers, yet she remains stubbornly determined to excel. Her journey from suspension for smoking to admission at Keio University marks a dramatic shift in confidence and self-worth.

💪 Determined 📚 Student 💃 Gyaru

Toru Kudo

Sayaka's father, who pushes his younger son toward a career in professional baseball and distrusts Sayaka's academic potential. He labels Sayaka as an 'air-head' and accuses others of scamming the family, fueling Sayaka's desire to prove him wrong.

🏷️ Father 💼 Ambition

Mayumi Kudo

Sayaka's mother, who supports sending Sayaka to a cram school and defers to the family's collective hope of academic success. She represents a stabilizing force within the Kudo household, balancing expectations with care.

👩‍👧 Family 🫶 Supportive

Yoshitaka Tsubota

A devoted cram school tutor who makes it his personal goal to help Sayaka gain entry to Keio University. He guides her through grueling study schedules and helps her believe in her ability to succeed.

🎓 Mentor

Ryuta Kudo

Sayaka's younger brother, whose path to professional baseball is a point of family contention. He is aware of his brother’s ambitions and the pressure from his father, creating tension within the family dynamics.

🧒 Brother ⚾ Sports

Reiji Mori

A character connected to Sayaka's world who interacts with her social circle during the cram-school journey.

👥 Friend/Peer

Mika Honda

A classmate who provides social contrast within Sayaka's school life. She offers glimpses of teenage life beyond study and contributes to the film's exploration of friendships.

🤝 Classmate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

Major Themes – Flying Colors (2015)

Explore the central themes of Flying Colors (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎯 Perseverance

Sayaka endures long nights of study, sacrificing social activities to improve her scores. Her practice-test results rise as she pushes through fatigue and setbacks. The journey highlights grit and determination in the face of pressure from teachers and family.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family

Her father pressures Sayaka and pushes toward his own ambitions for her brother, often belittling her capabilities. Her mother supports the cram-school plan, reflecting a family dynamic where care and pressure coexist. These tensions motivate Sayaka to prove her worth and redefine her path.

🧭 Mentorship

Yoshitaka Tsubota becomes a personal advocate, guiding Sayaka through the demanding path to Keio University. He offers tough but practical guidance, helping her build confidence and study strategies. The mentor-student bond illustrates how dedicated teaching can change a learner's trajectory.

📚 Education

The cram-school culture and the race to enter prestigious universities drive the narrative. The film shows sleepless study sessions, rigorous practice tests, and the social rewards tied to academic success. It also examines the sacrifices required by such an education-centric system.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:47

Unlock the Full Story of Flying Colors

Don't stop at just watching — explore Flying Colors in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Flying Colors is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Flying Colors Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Flying Colors, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Flying Colors Summary

Flying Colors Timeline

Track the full timeline of Flying Colors with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Flying Colors Timeline

Flying Colors Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Flying Colors that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Flying Colors Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Flying Colors

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Flying Colors: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Flying Colors

Explore More About Movie Flying Colors

Flying Colors (2015) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Flying Colors (2015) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Flying Colors (2015) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow