That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Year: 1996

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Hiroshi Sugawara

Comedy

Comedy about a group of chemistry students who organize a cheating scam during their final exams. Amuro Namie, the top pop music sensation, plays one of the students.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? 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 – That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? (1996)

Trace every key event in That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Exam day opens with Sigma dorm cheating scheme

The group of students heads to the university class hall for the final exams. Residents of Sigma dormitory organize a cheating scam, while Kenji Kimura refuses to cheat, hoping to earn his place honestly under Professor Namazuda. Later, Yumi Morishita joins in cheating as the pressure mounts.

Finals day University class hall
2

Migita spots Kamei cheating and expels him

Using binoculars, Migita spots Kamei cheating during the exam and confronts him as the professor arrives in the hall. The cheating student is expelled, sending a shock through the Sigma group. Kimura watches anxiously, hoping the scandal won't touch him.

During the exam University class hall
3

Aftermath: Kamei's readmission denied

Kimura worries Migita saw the cheating and asks about letting Kamei re-enter. Migita refuses to readmit Kamei, reiterating his stance on integrity and campus rules. The decision deepens the divide between Kimura and Migita.

After the incident University / Migita's office
4

The dorm demolition plot is hatched

Migita secretly joins forces with the university chairman and the construction company president to demolish the Sigma dorms and build a hotel for profit. A board meeting is convened to decide that the plan will go forward if the students do not pass finals with good grades. The scheme treats the exams as a lever in a broader corruption scheme.

Days later Boardroom
5

Namazuda breaks the bad news to Sigma

Namazuda visits Sigma dorm to inform the students about the board’s decision and the threat to their housing. The mood is heavy as they realize the stakes extend beyond the final exams.

Next day Sigma dorm
6

Morishita moves in and starts spying

Morishita takes temporary residence at Sigma dorm after eviction due to her cat and begins observing Migita under the pretense of research. Her spying sets the stage for discovering Migita’s corruption and the campus plot.

Soon after arrival Sigma dorm
7

Morishita uncovers stolen papers and overhears the hotel plan

While visiting Migita’s office, Morishita finds Namazuda’s atomic theory papers Migita stole to plagiarize. She overhears a discussion about the hotel plan with the construction head, confirming Migita’s corruption. An assistant warns Migita while they are in the library.

During spying Migita's office / Library
8

Morishita reports the truth to the dorm and Namazuda

Morishita rushes back to Sigma to tell the residents what she has learned, and they report Migita’s plan to Professor Namazuda, who vows to defend the dorm and campus integrity.

Same day Sigma dorm / Namazuda's space
9

Migita warns against cheating; Kimura pushes to cheat anyway

In class, Migita declares that cheating will not be tolerated during finals. Kimura, outraged by Migita's stance and the dorm issue, proposes a challenge that if they all achieve top grades, Kamei can return; Migita adds the condition that every subject must be an A.

Before finals Classroom
10

Finals begin and Sigma dorm cheats; papers get shredded

The final exams start and the Sigma dorm students use Namazuda's methods to secure high scores. Migita grows suspicious as the entire dorm achieves A grades. He orders Morishita to shred the final exam questions, but the students manage to retrieve the shredded pieces and reconstruct the exam.

During finals Exam hall
11

Power outage and poisoning attempt disrupt the exam

Two invigilators fall ill after Mr. Chin tampered with their food, and he cuts the power to the exam hall. Kamei helps the students cheat with answers provided by Namazuda, while Migita searches for the source of the disruption.

During finals Exam hall
12

Exposure, confrontation, and aftermath

After the exam, the university president arrives with the conglomerate head and chairman to confront Migita, whose corruption and plagiarism are exposed by his researchers. The president announces potential legal action and confirms that the dormitories will remain. Migita's researchers reveal that all students cheated when checking the papers, and an accidental chemical explosion injures him.

Immediately after exams University buildings and lab
13

Ending: love, new beginnings

Kimura confesses his love for Morishita, who decides to drop out and become a junior high school teacher, planning to teach with Namazuda's method in a responsible way. They embrace as the film closes, choosing a path beyond the cheating saga.

Ending Sigma dorm / campus

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:38

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Don't stop at just watching — explore That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? 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 That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? Summary

Read a complete plot summary of That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?, 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.

That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? 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.

That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? Spoiler-Free Summary

More About That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?: 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 That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Similar Movies to That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen?

Discover movies like That’s Cunning! Shijo Saidai no Sakusen? that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.