Tatsuki Fujimoto fans rejoice! The mangaka’s one-shot ‘Look Back’ is to receive a live-action adaptation in Japan in 2026. While no official release date or main cast has been announced as of yet, Hirokazu Kore-eda is set to direct the film. The critically acclaimed director is most notably known for his work on Shoplifters (2018) and Nobody Knows (2004).
Look Back was published on July 19th, 2021, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, best known for Chainsaw Man. The animated movie followed suit on July 14th, 2024, before being released in North American theaters on October 4th, 2024. The one-shot has received widespread acclaim through its published and theatrical debut since its release, with Look Back’s animated movie winning the 2024 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year award.
About Look Back
Look Back follows the story of the aspiring, confident manga artist Fujino and her timid school rival, Kyomoto. While the two girls have wildly different personalities, their love of drawing manga sparks an unlikely friendship between them. Look Back showcases the mutual bond between two people and their shared passion for the arts, bringing both girls to experience the highs of friendship while navigating their own careers within their artistic skill sets.
Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, the animated film brought both characters to life with its unique hand-drawn style and talented voice acting from Yumi Kawai, who voiced Fujino, and Mizuki Yoshida, who voiced Kyomoto. Studio Durian animated the film, which it previously animated for Shishigari. The cast also included the Music Composer Haruka Nakamura, who composed the main theme “Light Song” that artist Urara performed and the Sound Director Eriko Kimura.
The Look Back manga is available to purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and available to read for free on Viz Media. Until the release of the live-action adaptations, fans can stream the Look Back animated film on Amazon Prime Video.
Look Back is so nice, they had to make it twice!