Fly me to the Saitama
People from Saitama Prefecture are persecuted and, because of this, they hide the fact that they are from there. In Tokyo, Momomi Hakuhodo is a male high school student and the son of the Tokyo governor. Physically, Momomi Hakuhodo looks like a girl. One day, he meets mysterious male transfer student Rei Asami. They are attracted to each other, but Rei Asami is from Saitama Prefecture.
The film earned $32.8M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Fly me to the Saitama (2019) exhibits carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Hideki Takeuchi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tokyo Academy students live in strict hierarchy where those from Saitama prefecture are treated as inferior and must hide their origins. The world of regional discrimination and class division is established.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Rei, a mysterious and beautiful transfer student, arrives at the academy, immediately capturing everyone's attention including Momomi's. His arrival disrupts the established order.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Momomi discovers Rei's secret - he is from Saitama - but chooses to protect him rather than expose him. This decision commits Momomi to a path that will put him at odds with Tokyo's power structure., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Rei's true identity is publicly exposed, and the full force of Tokyo's anti-Saitama establishment turns against them. The stakes escalate from personal to political as regional conflict threatens to explode. False victory turns to real danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Momomi and Rei are captured and separated. Their rebellion appears crushed, and the dream of equality between regions seems dead. Momomi faces the loss of everything he's fought for., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Momomi realizes that the absurd prejudice system must be challenged openly. Armed with newfound clarity about what truly matters - human connection over arbitrary regional status - he commits to the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Fly me to the Saitama's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Fly me to the Saitama against these established plot points, we can identify how Hideki Takeuchi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Fly me to the Saitama within the comedy genre.
Hideki Takeuchi's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Hideki Takeuchi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Fly me to the Saitama represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Hideki Takeuchi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Hideki Takeuchi analyses, see Thermae Romae.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tokyo Academy students live in strict hierarchy where those from Saitama prefecture are treated as inferior and must hide their origins. The world of regional discrimination and class division is established.
Theme
A character states that prejudice and discrimination based on where someone is born is meaningless, hinting at the film's core theme about the absurdity of regional prejudice.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the hierarchical world of Tokyo Academy where regional origin determines status. Momomi is the perfect Tokyo elite student. The oppressive system against Saitama residents is established through various scenes of discrimination.
Disruption
Rei, a mysterious and beautiful transfer student, arrives at the academy, immediately capturing everyone's attention including Momomi's. His arrival disrupts the established order.
Resistance
Momomi becomes fascinated with Rei despite trying to maintain his elite status. They form a bond, but Momomi debates whether to pursue this connection that threatens his position in Tokyo society.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Momomi discovers Rei's secret - he is from Saitama - but chooses to protect him rather than expose him. This decision commits Momomi to a path that will put him at odds with Tokyo's power structure.
Mirror World
Momomi and Rei's relationship deepens as they become allies. Rei represents the thematic opposite of everything Momomi was raised to believe - that regional origin should not define worth.
Premise
The fun exploration of the absurd regional prejudice system. Momomi and Rei navigate the dangerous world of inter-regional politics, encountering various ridiculous checkpoints and discrimination against Saitama people. The satirical comedy is at its peak.
Midpoint
Rei's true identity is publicly exposed, and the full force of Tokyo's anti-Saitama establishment turns against them. The stakes escalate from personal to political as regional conflict threatens to explode. False victory turns to real danger.
Opposition
The Tokyo authorities and Momomi's own family pressure intensifies. Other regions get involved, complicating the conflict. Momomi must confront his own prejudices and family loyalty while protecting Rei. The opposition closes in from all sides.
Collapse
Momomi and Rei are captured and separated. Their rebellion appears crushed, and the dream of equality between regions seems dead. Momomi faces the loss of everything he's fought for.
Crisis
Momomi struggles in his darkest moment, questioning whether his stand was worth it. He processes what Rei and the cause of equality truly mean to him, finding resolve in his emotional darkness.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Momomi realizes that the absurd prejudice system must be challenged openly. Armed with newfound clarity about what truly matters - human connection over arbitrary regional status - he commits to the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Momomi leads a rebellion against the regional discrimination system. Various regions unite against the absurd prejudice. The finale combines comedy with genuine emotional stakes as the characters fight for a world without arbitrary discrimination.
Transformation
Momomi, once the perfect Tokyo elite who embodied regional prejudice, now stands as a symbol of unity and acceptance. The closing image shows a transformed society where regional origin no longer determines worth.