Look Back: Movie Review

The long anticipated adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s (creator of Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch) one-shot manga is finally available on the silver screen, and it lived up to every expectation. Look Back is a film that will feel intimately familiar to any anime and manga fan, and this is not only because of how faithful it is to Fujimoto’s style, animated as if every frame was drawn by him, but also because it will resonate with a feeling they most likely experienced. 

That feeling is sharing a passion with someone. That feeling is believing that your favorite activity in the whole world is so niche no one else would understand it; and then, suddenly, you find someone else who does.

In its short one-hour runtime, Look Back is able to tell a moving story about friendship, passion, ambition and more. It’s a fantastic piece of art, and one we consider worth visiting and analyzing in the following review. 

Look Back: The plot 

The story of Look Back begins with Ayumu Fujino, a middle schooler who draws comics for her school’s paper, which thanks to her wit and funny style has become somewhat popular in her class. Just as we are introduced to this character, the film immediately sets-up a conflict by showing her reaction to one of her classmates’ work. A very unpopular girl named Kyomoto, who never shows up to class, is somehow better than Fujino at drawing comics. This makes her understandably jealous, leading to her trying to improve her technical abilities and eventually meeting Kyomoto herself. 

Once this interaction occurs, the film finally shows its true colors. The relationship between Fujino and Kyomoto gets to hold center stage, as we see how they become friends, improve their respective styles, and start working together as Kyo Fujino. The storyline that follows is subtle, cozy, heartwarming and also quite somber, because just when we become familiar with their friendship, we see how their respective ambitions lead them to part ways. What follows after that, is best experienced with your own eyes.

Fujino and Kyomoto

Considering Fujimoto is the creator of one of the most unapologetic action series in recent memory, it’s understandable to be skeptical when approaching Look Back. The film has an intimate tone and low stakes, at least compared to the world defining conflicts usually found in shōnen manga, however, Fujimoto is able to deliver one of his most convincing showcases as a character writer. Similar to the likes of Denji, Asa, Makima and Power, both Fujino and Kyomoto are unique and intriguing in their own way, to the point viewers will find themselves eager just for them to interact, as the possibilities will seem endless. 

First is Fujino, a girl whose immense talent is only held back by her need for validation. Throughout the film, we see multiple instances of her being faced with the fact that nobody seems to care for what she does, which makes her doubt her own passions. She loves drawing, way more of what she is willing to admit, but also would like for someone else to tell her she is doing something worthwhile. 

Then there is Kyomoto, a socially awkward girl so obsessed with drawing (in any format there is) that has isolated herself from the world. Despite the fact she constantly improves, there is a sense that she hasn’t seen enough of the world to truly capture its nuances on paper, which is why she clings to others’ works so passionately. 

With only these brief descriptions, it’s easy to understand why a story centered around these two characters would be intriguing. This just comes to show that, once you’re truly familiar with Fujino and Kyomoto, the purpose of the film and Fujimoto’s intentions will become evidently clear.

An Autobiographical Tale?

Keen-eye readers would’ve already spotted the fact that the names “Fujino” and “Kyomoto” are closely related to that of Fujimoto, the author of Look Back. So, it begs the question, is this movie autobiographical? The answer is yes and no. While there are plenty of elements that are entirely fictional (to our knowledge, Fujimoto is not two young girls), they’re also many moments that are based on true events. 

Fans of Fujimoto’s previous works, especially that of Chainsaw Man, will immediately recognize some of the nods to the creator’s life, as Kyo Fujino eventually creates a shōnen manga named Shark Kick, whose premise is very similar to that of his acclaimed work. On the other hand, the real world does make its presence felt beyond fan service, as one of the major plot points of the movie seems inspired by the 2019 arson attack on the studio of Kyoto Animation, which killed 39 people and injured another 34. 

What we are sure of is that, between the fictional and real events, Fujimoto is showing the viewers a part of himself. Taking into account the film’s short runtime, it’s very clear that every scene included is one he considered of vital importance. Look Back doesn’t shy away from showing sorrow and despair, hope and happiness, relief and determination, and that’s because it knows exactly what it wants to say. Even in the moments that we can recognize as completely fictional, the feelings on display are as real as they get.

Filling Big Shoes: The Jump To Film 

Many of the praises expressed in this review so far hold true of the original manga, which is why the question currently in people’s mind is: how does it benefit from the jump to film? 

For starters, there’s the animation. The staff over at Studio Durian, led by director Kyotoka Oshiyama (whose extensive resume includes working with Hayao Miyazaki and Masaaki Yuasa), did a fantastic job capturing the subtle essence of the original manga. Quiet and slow moments are treated with immense passion, as the animator’s attention to detail is shown in how every movement seems to hold importance. Additionally, when the story’s tone demanded a shift, the animation crew also delivered wonderfully, with scenes whose depth was elevated with the more fluid animation that was present.  

The sound aspects shouldn’t be understated either, as the crew on that front also did an excellent job. The performances of Yumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida as Fujino and Kyomoto respectively, made the dynamic between the two very believable and likable, adding to the accessibility that the medium of film provides. The sound design was also exceptional, which is especially important in a movie such as this one, where every stroke of a pencil, turn of a page and eraser rub needs to hold weight. Finally, the soundtrack, consisting of 16 original songs, was able to add to every scene with beautifully arranged strings and pianos, bringing new life to what Tatsuki Fujimoto originally envisioned.

Conclusions

Look Back is a fantastic film that remains true to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original story, while also adding elements that make its transition to film one of the smoothest to date. The captivating story of Fujino and Kyomoto is one worth experiencing, and the product that was delivered by Durian Studio is the best way to currently do so, with its clear passion for the original story and desire to add to it for the world to see. 

Look Back is currently available in theaters, but for people who prefer to watch their movies at home, it will also arrive at Prime Video worldwide on November 7th.