Introduction
The Cheating Craft is a unique fast-paced anime that takes the concept of campus life to the extreme. The show combines action, comedy, and strategy as academic success determines your entire future, making cheating not only acceptable, but necessary for survival. This blog dives deep into the crazy world of The Craft, exploring its plot, characters, and what makes it stand out in the school anime scene.
Story
In the world of Cheating Craft, academic performance is everything. Academic success determines a person’s future opportunities, wealth and even social status. In order to survive in this advanced system, students have two choices: they can be diligent learners (“Learning Mode”) or master cheaters (“Cheating Mode”).
This animation revolves around the story of magician Zhuge Muming and his childhood sweetheart Qiao Yihuang. Together, they take part in a critical test that not only tests their intelligence and knowledge, but also their ability to outperform their peers. The story is an intense and action-packed adventure set in an exam room where cheating is not just a matter of passing, but a matter of life and death.
Each activity demonstrates strategies, tactics, and tactics that students use to defeat themselves. From hidden cameras to state-of-the-art physical cheating techniques, Cheating takes academic warfare to a whole new level.
Main Characters
- Zhuge Mu Ming: The protagonist, Mu Ming is a Cheating Type student determined to succeed at any cost. Armed with a sharp mind and impressive cheating skills, he’s always on the lookout for new ways to outwit the system and his opponents.
- Qiao Yi Huang: Mu Ming’s childhood friend and a Learning Type student, Qiao Yi is the epitome of hard work and dedication. She serves as the perfect foil to Mu Ming’s reckless and cunning nature, often questioning his methods while remaining committed to their shared goal.
- Shokatsu Mumei: An antagonist and a fellow Cheating Type, Shokatsu is one of Mu Ming’s rivals, constantly challenging him with equally creative and underhanded tactics. His presence adds tension and competition to the exam battles.
- Supporting Cast: The show features a variety of other characters—both Learning and Cheating Types—each with their own quirks and strategies, making the exam settings unpredictable and chaotic.
Background Information
- Creator and Studio:
- Creator: “Cheating Craft” is based on a light novel series written by Gemini Xin Luo, whose imaginative approach to school life is both humorous and action-packed.
- Anime Studio: The anime adaptation is produced by BLADE and Haoliners Animation League, studios known for their energetic, colorful animation that matches the intensity of the show’s premise.
- Source Material: “Cheating Craft” draws from the light novel series, though it takes creative liberties to amp up the action and visual spectacle for anime fans.
- Release Date: The anime premiered in October 2016 as part of the fall season lineup.
- Episodes: With only 12 episodes, “Cheating Craft” delivers a fast-paced and concise story that keeps the adrenaline pumping from start to finish.
- Genre:
- Action: Every exam is a battlefield, with characters using martial arts-level cheating techniques and complex strategies to come out on top.
- Comedy: The show embraces its over-the-top premise, using absurd scenarios, exaggerated reactions, and slapstick humor to keep the tone light despite the high stakes.
- School Life: While “Cheating Craft” is set in a school environment, it takes the genre to new extremes, where exams are treated as life-or-death competitions.
Themes
- Academic Pressure: “Cheating Craft” is a satirical take on the real-world pressures that students face in academic settings. The extreme consequences of failure in the show mirror the high stakes that many feel in competitive educational systems.
- Work Ethic vs. Cunning: The central conflict in the series is the battle between the diligent Learning Types and the resourceful Cheating Types. This dynamic explores the value of hard work versus the ability to think outside the box and manipulate systems to one’s advantage.
- Survival of the Fittest: The show leans heavily into the idea that the academic world is a survival game, where only the most cunning, resourceful, or hardworking will succeed. This Darwinian approach to exams provides the foundation for the show’s action-packed narrative.
- Friendship and Loyalty: Despite the cutthroat environment, the bond between Mu Ming and Qiao Yi is a significant aspect of the story. Their teamwork, despite their opposing natures, emphasizes the importance of trust and loyalty in a world driven by competition.
Visual and Animation
- Artwork: The Cheating Craft features colorful and sophisticated artwork that reflects the high quality of the show. Characters often perform unusual movements, which emphasize the humor and range of their skills.
- Action: The animations are intense and fast-paced, especially in the test battles where people do a lot of things, almost like hacker battles. The pictures are filled with quick cuts, sharp perspectives and vivid imagery.
- World Structure: Schools are places of experiments and traps designed to destroy students’ physical and mental abilities. Every exam is like a roadblock, full of traps and opportunities for cheating.
Sound and Music
- Opening and Ending Themes: The opening theme “The Trial of Kasoku Suru” sets the tone for the series with a strong pace and aggressive atmosphere. The final chapter, “Welcoming the Future,” describes the tension between success and failure in the high-pressure academic world.
- Background music: The music is fun and cheerful, matching the fast-paced and funny atmosphere. They often use electronic equipment and musical instruments in experimental battles, which adds to the excitement.
- Voiceovers: The voice actors’ performances fit the intended tone of the show. Mu Ming’s capture was good, but Qiao Yi’s sincerity was quite different. The supporting cast also contributes to the high comedy and drama with their vibrant personalities.
Reviews
The Cheating Craft may not be a deep or thought-provoking anime, but it manages to provide genuine entertainment. His unique and quirky way of studying for exams is a joy to watch and a joy to watch. The mix of sports, events and school life will be a breath of fresh air for fans looking for something fun and different. However, some viewers may find the pace too fast, as the 12-episode format fails to broaden its perspective or explore its themes in greater depth.
Despite its limitations, “Cheating Craft” is a fast-paced, fun anime that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is a great watch for anyone who wants to unwind with something fun, silly, and action-packed.
Meta description:
The Craft of Cheating is a video game where students must cheat to survive in the brutal world of academia. Follow Zhuge Muming and his cunning tricks through wild and fun environments
