Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

In 1961, a skiing collision leaves young Makoto with a forehead scar. Eleven years later, he arrives in Tokyo and is attacked by a local gang.

Childhood Skiing Collision — In 1961, Ai crashes into young Makoto while skiing, leaving him with a large forehead scar. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Snowy hill
Gang Attacks Makoto — In 1972, a local gang of boys attacks Makoto after he appears in Tokyo. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Tokyo
Makoto Fights Back — Makoto fights off the gang single-handed during the film's first musical number. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Tokyo

Makoto fights the gang and is arrested when police arrive. The Saotame family arranges his release and transfer to Aobadai Prep School.

Police Arrest the Boys — Ai intervenes; police arrive and arrest Makoto and the other boys. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Tokyo
School Transfer Arranged — The Saotame family arranges Makoto's release and transfer to Aobadai Prep School. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Reform school transfer

Makoto enters Aobadai, where Ai is a prominent student. After discovering that she works dancing at a club, he attempts to blackmail her parents.

Aobadai Enrollment — Makoto transfers to Aobadai, where Ai is a popular student excelling in academics and sports. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Aobadai Prep School
Blackmail Attempt — After learning Ai secretly works dancing at a club, Makoto tries to blackmail her parents for one million yen. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Aobadai Prep School

Makoto is expelled from Aobadai and sent to Hanazono Trade School. There, Gum-ko and Yuki become interested in him.

Expelled from Aobadai — Makoto's blackmail attempt leads to his expulsion and transfer to Hanazono Trade School. Characters: Makoto Taiga Location: Aobadai Prep School
New School Attention — Gum-ko and Yuki, members and leaders of the girls' gang, become interested in Makoto. Characters: Makoto Taiga, Gum-ko, Yuki Takahara Location: Hanazono Trade School

Story Breakdown

Childhood Encounter — A skiing collision creates the scar that connects Makoto's childhood to his later arrival in Tokyo.
- Skiing Collision — Ai crashes into young Makoto on a snowy hill.
- Forehead Scar — The collision leaves Makoto with a large scar.
Tokyo Gang Attack — Makoto encounters a local gang after arriving in Tokyo in 1972.
- Gang Confrontation — The local boys attack Makoto.
- Musical Fight — Makoto fights off the attackers during a musical number.
Police Arrest — The intervention ends the fight and sends Makoto toward reform school.
- Ai Intervenes — Ai jumps in to stop the fighting.
- Boys Arrested — Police arrive and arrest Makoto and the other boys.
Aobadai Transfer — The Saotame family arranges Makoto's release and placement at a prestigious school.
- Release Arranged — The family arranges for Makoto to be released.
- Prep School Arrival — Makoto transfers to Aobadai Prep School.
Blackmail and Expulsion — Makoto's attempt to exploit Ai's secret work leads to his removal from Aobadai.
- Secret Club Work — Makoto learns Ai has been working part-time dancing at a club.
- One Million Yen — Makoto attempts to blackmail Ai's parents for one million yen.
Hanazono Connections — Makoto enters a new school environment and draws the attention of two gang members.
- Trade School Transfer — Makoto is sent to Hanazono Trade School.
- Gum-ko and Yuki — Both become interested in Makoto at the new school.