This started out as a very good movie with a very interesting premiss. Although everything was neatly rounded off at the end, I thought it lost its way and the development of the story became increasingly unconvincing, unrealistic and "off the wall". It also had a big "moral" lesson about the dangers of the ruthless pursuit of excellence, in this case the battle to get into Toudai University and how the system advantages the already privileged. No doubt true, but it's a bit too obvious. So mostly enjoyable, especially due to the attraction of Miura Haruma. Very different story pairing him with Shirota Yu than Samurai High School, though.
P.S. The "hugging" cover photo is very misleading!