Flying Colors
2015 · Directed by Nobuhiro Doi
Original language: Japanese
- comedy
- drama
The story
A high school girl, Sayaka Kudō was the bottom of the class. After a year, she improved her deviation value from 30 to 70, then passed Keio University that is considered one of the most difficult to enter in Japan.
What it’s like
Bright and brisk, with sunlit classrooms, cram-school corridors and study-desk rooms shot in cheerful, conventional comedy framing. Quick cuts, playful reaction shots and a light, upbeat score give way to softer piano when the mood turns reflective. The vibe is warm, scrappy and optimistic, with comic exaggeration around the grind of exam prep. Pacing moves in episodic bursts of study, setback and small victory, and its central arc follows a teenager rebuilding her confidence and work habits, with friends and family who encourage rather than pressure her. Violence and sexual content are absent; the stakes are academic anxiety, mild embarrassment and a few tearful moments, all resolved gently. It suits a relaxed weekend afternoon, a comfort watch, or something uplifting to have on while studying or tidying up. It is for viewers who want an inspiring, low-stakes story about effort and self-belief, told with light humour and no cynicism.
More films like Flying Colors
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Flying Colorsand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
