The live-action film 'Look Back' is a story about the friendship and growth of girls aspiring to be manga artists. The journey begins when the talented artist Fujino meets Kyoumoto, a shy girl who is a fan of her work. Together, they embark on a creative journey to produce manga. A new clip on the official site gives a glimpse into their creative journey, capturing how they collaborate on manga production.
Special Work by Director Koreeda
The live-action adaptation of 'Look Back' is an emotional work directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. Through his meticulous direction, the beauty of friendship and the creation process are portrayed on screen. The music is composed by Yuta Bando, cinematography by Izumi Ueno, and lighting by Masaharu Nishida. Costume design is by Sachiko Ito, and Katsuhiko Yumi participates as the makeup director.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew
In this film, Aki Makita plays the role of Kyoumoto, while Natsuki Deguchi stars as Fujino. Additionally, as special guest staff, musician Kenshi Yonezu and actress-singer Toko Miura participate. Kenshi Yonezu is responsible for guitar performances, and Toko Miura sings the inserted song. Yoko Kuno is involved in directing the rotoscope animation sequences, which serve as the basis for innovative animation production.
International Acclaim and Release Schedule
The film 'Look Back' was screened at the 79th Cannes Film Festival this May. It is also scheduled to be screened at the London Film Festival in October. Although its official release in Japan is on September 11, it is also set to be released in theaters across North America, Canada, the UK, and Ireland by GKIDS in 2026. The work shines a light on the dreams and challenges of young girls, leaving a strong impression on viewers.
