'Look Back' Reviews: "Exceptional anime accomplishments like Look Back are truly rare, and this is a story that has the power to open hearts and change lives"

Photo Courtesy of GKIDS

        On October 4, 2024, GKIDS released 'Look Back', which has received a positive reception from critics. In the film, "Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing. Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of "Chainsaw Man", Look Back captures the highs and lows of pursuing artistic excellence and the special bonds formed through creative collaboration. The heart-wrenching story is the stunning feature-length directorial debut from Kiyotaka Oshiyama that will leave you in tears and inspire you to chase your own artistic dreams." The ensemble cast includes Yumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida. But what did the critics say?

        Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru says, "In the Japanese animated film Look Back, Kyomoto (voice of Mizuki Yoshida), a shy and introverted student, befriends her less shy classmate, Fujino (voice of Yuumi Kawai), and bond over the love of writing manga before tragedy befalls one of them. The screenplay by writer/director Kiyotaka Oshiyama begins as a gently moving story about friendship told in a non-linear structure. A major twist occurs which won't be spoiled here, but it takes the film into much darker, bold and melancholic territory while also adding emotional depth. It's not nearly as moving, haunting or powerful as the Japanese animated classic Grave of the Fireflies, though."

        Daniel Kurland of CBR notes, "Exceptional anime accomplishments like Look Back are truly rare, and this is a story that has the power to open hearts and change lives." Concluding, "Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who worked as a key animator on Chainsaw Man, The Boy and the Heron, Devilman Crybaby, and other critically acclaimed productions, marks his directorial debut with Look Back. Oshiyama absolutely knocks it out of the park here, and this is hopefully just the start of a lengthy and fortuitous directing career. Under his direction, Look Back showcases meticulous animation that feels true to Fujimoto’s original manga. There’s also a unique style that’s present in the amateur comic strips that Fujino makes for the school newsletter. Look Back artistically juxtaposes janky works-in-progress with the elegance of a professionally made feature film. It’s a genuine delight to watch Fujino's and Kyomoto’s artistic styles evolve over time, and see how the animation in their drawings reflects a creative growth that coincides with their personal development. Look Back also craftily uses these stylistic deviations as a clever way to highlight how art is a genuine way to escape into new worlds and leave reality behind."

        Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? A Geek Community praises the film, stating, "What follows is a friendship and dedication to creating manga that captures the beauty of friendship and creating together. But when tragedy strikes, the girls will have to look back on their lives and into the future. It’s not always the case that an animated adaptation of written work makes itself become something more. But Studio Durian’s Look Back adds an emotional resonance and romance that leaps from the screen. While I cried when reading Fujimoto’s original manga, I felt myself weeping even more while watching the Look Back anime."