Look Back

Fujino was the leading manga creator for her school until Kyomoto, the class recluse, entered the scene. From then on, they grew together and pushed each other to improve themselves and achieve their dreams. They were on top of the manga game until Kyomoto decided to branch off and go at it alone. They continued to do what they loved until tragedy struck, forcing Fujino to reevaluate her circumstances.

This is a beautiful anime film about how people can find a friend in the most unlikely of places and how that person can push them to greatness. The story is simple but uses the full range of human emotion. The animation changes as the story progresses, giving the film a unique look. With a runtime of fifty-eight minutes, the story is not rushed. It focuses on the significant parts of Fujino and Kyomoto's story. This is an excellent film for all and should be streamed or watched in theaters as soon as possible.

'Look Back (2024)' is a mediation on friendship, passion, and art, examining what happens when these elements intersect. It essentially aims to answer the question that plagues all artists: what is art for? Is it driven by ambition? Success? Fame? Is it to tell a deeper truth? To say what can't be said with words? To get what's inside out for all to see? Is it to connect with strangers? To make someone feel less alone? To make someone smile or weep or take a step back and look at their place in the world? Or is it simply to do something you love with someone you love? If so, why do you carry on even when one of those things has gone? The film explores these ideas through the relationship between two girls who grow up together making manga after one of them confesses to being a fan of the other's school newspaper strips. Taking place over a number of years, the picture depicts their evolving relationship with both each other and the art they create, ultimately taking an emotional turn when life inevitably catches up with their ambitions. There's a semi-fantastical element here that could be interpreted one of two ways, and interestingly I prefer the more literal version than the metaphorical one (which I tend to lean towards). Either way there's a lot of thematic resonance to be found here, and it's unsurprising that it's connecting so deeply with so many people.

Clocking in at just under an hour, the piece doesn't waste any time. It sort of feels like a long short film, but it's actually a short long film (it's over the minimum length to be classed as a feature). In some ways, it feels like it could have been expanded by twenty minutes; in other ways, it's exactly as long as it needs to be. It's a focused experience that mimics the insular nature of the central dynamic, as the two leads are the only important people to us just as they seem to be the only important people to each other. The animation sometimes seems slightly rough, in that it isn't consistently refined and some movements don't quite keep things on model, but it also includes several scenes that must have been really tricky to pull off because they include sweeping camera moves and changing perspectives. I can't tell if the animators used 3D models and custom shaders for these scenes or if they, much more painstakingly, animated everything in 2D; either way, if I can't tell, it's equally as impressive. There's a meta element to the movie, too, because it's based on a manga that's about producing a manga (obviously the meta aspects are watered down somewhat by the adaptation process, but the parallels between the film and its subject are still strong nevertheless). This makes each and every frame, as well as the time and effort that's gone into it, all the more relevant, and it's a perfect example of a film's form enhancing its content.

Ultimately, this is a moving and engaging anime that doesn't waste a moment in conveying its story and themes. Its a gentle, bittersweet experience that's both devastating and life-affirming, and it feels as though it grasps at a deeper truth about artists and their work. Its a strong effort.

Tatsuki Fujimoto's "Look Back" was a fantastic manga which offered a deeply introspective and thought-provoking look into the mind of the artist himself - a self-reflection on his journey to becoming a successful manga artist, from creating short stories as a kid to writing one of Jump's latest big hits. This adaptation introduces us to Fujino and Kyomoto, two talented and passionate girls who expertly represent the internal ideological debate regarding the very essence of creating art and pursuing goals. Simultaneously, the film tells an emotional tale of the bond between these young artists - although going into detail would involve major spoilers, due to the multitude of heart-shattering twists and turns in just 60 short minutes of runtime.

As a story about art and passion, it is only natural that the film's production would mirror these qualities expertly. Kiyotaka Oshiyama is one of the most interesting creatives in Japan's animation industry, and, so far, this is certainly his greatest work. With a relatively small team, he has managed to craft one of the most visually appealing pieces of animation I've ever seen - single-handedly producing, directing, screenwriting, designing, storyboarding and supervising - and animating absurd portions of the film. Breathtaking work, and inkeeping with the message of Fujimoto's brilliant story.

For bonus points: Haruka Nakamura's soundtrack is amazing, especially the main theme "Light song".

Look Back perhaps may not become a mainstream hit, but will certainly be remembered by those who watched it as a heartfelt, emotional, beautifully-crafted film with an incredible attention to detail.

10/10, without a doubt. This is the type of film that changes lives.

Understandable "roughness" aside (which gives it a welcome quirkiness), it is pretty well done!

Has a great visual style, beautiful color palette, good sound design, comical editing, and some very impactful action animations. But more importantly, it tells a meaningful story of tender and weighty moments in less than one hour, with some very interesting characters and interactions. A truly memorable film.

I have an inclination to the ununderstood impact of choices that others can't ever see.. because they will never happen. How some things can only be appreciated when the idea of "yanking them away irreparably" truly sinks in.. and how only dramatic and traumatic events can help a person see that! I've always wondered how can you communicate that without it being too late. It's a thought-provoking crutch in storytelling you don't see a lot of.

The Look Back anime movie does an exceptional job of adapting the amazing manga short story into animation, bringing it to life with added layers of depth that only this medium can provide. The film skillfully uses animation, voice acting and music to heighten the emotional impact of the story. The atmosphere created by the soundtrack and the heartfelt performances of the voice actors enriches the narrative, making it even more profound.

A special mention goes to Fujino's voice actor, who was a first-time performer, yet delivered a remarkable performance. It's impressive how well she captured Fujino's energy and emotion, despite being new to the craft. Kyomoto's voice actor also deserves high praise for perfectly portraying a character who is so inexperienced with human interaction and shy. The subtlety and depth in the way these two characters are brought to life is one of the movie's strongest aspects.

At its core, Look Back is a love letter to creators, celebrating the passion, challenges, and personal growth that come with the artistic journey. But the film also balances this theme with a genuine, heartfelt relationship between Fujino and Kyomoto, making their bond feel real and deeply touching. This balance between creativity and emotional connection makes the movie a must-watch for not only fans of the original manga but anyone who appreciates stories about art, friendship, and the human spirit.