Look Back

Look Back is a debut anime, and yet it already connects with some of the masterpiece of Japanese animation.

A coming of age story, Look Back tells the story of two kids sharing the same dream. Complex feelings such as jealousy, competition, friendship, codependency, social anxiety, ambition, grief and trauma are told in such a delicate and genuine way.

Watching this movie made me feel very nostalgic, thinking about my dream as a kid and how self critical we are towards ourselves. In some moments, it reminded me of Your Name and 5 cm per second by Makoto Shinkai, even if the art style is completely different.

I can't wait for this anime to become widely available, 100% recommended!

Giving this an 8.5/10 rating

Most likely the shortest film this year, but you get so much in the short time, it's just spot on great. Based on the manga of the same name written by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the story is just based around two characters and how their love of art affects them.

This film is just so very watchable, both the leads are relatable and written well as you get pulled in, very quickly. And well acted for such a intense film, thanks to actors Yumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida, who had to work, and work good they did. Kiyotaka Oshiyama is writer and director here, and I must say, it's a standout picture, moods are set, days and night are defining moments in time, so much so due to the run time and some very clever design work.

The music and songs work perfectly, it's very light and bittersweet, I have seen this twice and will see it again in cinemas, A master class in story telling.

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.

This is about life, death and life. Fujimoto is a great contemporary writer in the manga scene known for Chainsaw Man - gory and heavily handed on social commentary. This work is truly a gem and also boasts the depth in writing. It's a very simple yet very deep piece that feels very calculated and precise in it's form and message.

A little background might help us understand where this manga came from and what it wants to come across. In 2019, there was an arson attack on the famous Kyoto Animation that killed many many brilliants artists. This left everybody in shock about everything in the community. This manga(2021)/movie(2024) uses this tragic event to ponder about life, work (anime and manga industry) and hardships.

It's not a coincidence that both characters came from the author's name: Fuji(no) and (Kyo)moto. They're both part of Fujimoto's sense of self: the shut-in genius persona and the social energetic persona. Having this two sides working together is what Fujimoto thinks as a point where success comes from. But, when faced with a great real tragedy, the real-life genius side also takes a hit (i guess). So Fujimoto writes away finding a path to go on making art.

What makes this an effective work of art is how anyone can relate to this feeling. A heartfelt breakup, something that you worked so hard and failed, death, etc. There are many thing in life that makes you look back on past events and than you find a way to get back on your feet to live life again!

My heart goes to all the manga/anime industry community that went through this tragedy. And to the victims and victims family members, I will forever treasure the work made in KyoAni. This will not be forgotten.