Look Back

Look Back (Japanese: ルックバック), is a Japanese animated coming-of-age drama that released in 2024. The film is directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who also wrote the screenplay and designed the characters. It is based on the one-shot web manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The story features two girls with a shared love for drawing: the outgoing Ayumu Fujino, voiced by Yuumi Kawai, and the introverted shut-in Kyomoto, voiced by Mizuki Yoshida.

Fujino, a young manga artist, is celebrated for her work in her school's newspaper. When her teacher assigns her to collaborate with Kyomoto, a reclusive student with a talent for background artwork, a competitive yet inspiring relationship begins to unfold. Fujino, driven by jealousy, immerses herself in her art, leading to a rift with her friends and family as she struggles to match Kyomoto's artistic prowess. Eventually, after a year of hard work and disappointment, Fujino decides to step away from drawing to reconnect with her social life.

As the girls graduate from middle school, Fujino visits Kyomoto at her home to deliver her diploma. Here, she discovers Kyomoto's impressive collection of sketches. An accidental slip of paper leads to an important reconnection between the two. Kyomoto reveals she has long admired Fujino's work, prompting Fujino to reignite her passion for drawing. Their collaboration on a manga submission eventually wins a contest, strengthening their bond.

As they navigate their high school years, they create under the pen name "Kyo Fujino," earning acclaim for their one-shots. However, when Kyomoto opts to pursue formal education in art rather than continue their partnership, Fujino feels lost, even as her own manga, Shark Kick, becomes a hit.

The film takes a tragic turn when a devastating incident at Kyomoto's university leads to her untimely death. Overcome with grief, Fujino reconsiders her relationship with art and visits Kyomoto's home, where she confronts her feelings of guilt and loss. In a poignant twist, the story explores alternate realities, allowing Fujino to witness a different fate for Kyomoto.

The film made its debut at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2024 and was released in Japan on June 28, 2024. Its success prompted further screenings due to positive audience and critical reception. In the United States, it was shown at the Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Cinema on July 14, 2024, before a wider release by GKIDS on October 4, 2024.

In terms of box office performance, Look Back grossed approximately US$12.7 million. Critics widely praised the film, achieving a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 22 reviews, and an impressive score of 90 on Metacritic. Reviewers highlighted its emotional weight and visually stunning animation, with particular focus on how it captures the struggles and triumphs of artistic creation.

The film features music by Haruka Nakamura, including the theme song "Light Song" performed by Urara. As a well-received adaptation of Fujimoto's work, Look Back stands as a significant entry in the landscape of contemporary anime cinema, resonating with audiences around the globe.