The Look Back anime film has become the Best Animation winner of the 34th Japan Movie Critics Award.
Film critic Takeo Matsuzaki, in his written comment for the Kiyotaka Oshiyama-directed anime, praised Look Back‘s direction and noted the film’s ability to not lose sight of Tatsuki Fujimoto‘s original one-shot while also having its own distinct expression.
Matsuzaki also drew attention to the film’s gross of over 2 billion yen (~US$14.038 million) despite its sub-60 minute runtime and screening as an Other Digital Stuff work, with the latter causing Look Back to have a flat ticket rate. “A hint about the film industry’s future is hidden here,” he wrote.
Look Back premiered in Japan on June 28, 2024 JST and is currently available on Prime Video. GKIDs describes the film’s premise as:
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.
Aside from directing, Oshiyama (Flip Flappers director, Chainsaw Man devil designer) also served as scriptwriter, character designer, and animation director. The movie was produced by Oshiyama’s Studio Durian.
Among the other main staff are Masayoshi Sameshima (Napping Princess co-background art director) as background art director, Maya Kusumoto (Birthday Wonderland) as color designer, Kazuto Izumita (Skip & Loafer) as compositing director, and haruka nakamura as music composer.
Look Back was a part of Annecy Festival 2024’s Annecy Presents selection lineup and was the Best Animated Work winner at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize.
Source: Japan Movie Critics Award website (via Comic Natalie)
