It’s incredibly rare that an anime film comes along and garners the sort of popularity and acclaim typically reserved for seasonal shows,unless the name Ghibli is involved. However, 2024 saw the release of one of those rare movies: Studio Durian’s and Kiyotaka Oshiyama’sLook Back. Based on the incredible original manga byFire PunchandChainsaw Manauthor Tatsuki Fujimoto,Look Backunsuspectingly arrived in theaters late last year, and spoke directly to the hearts of countless artists and creatives in attendance.
Though snubbed at the Academy Awards,Look Backtopped the year-end lists of several critics and publications, cementing itself as a must-see film for any fan of anime or animation in general. Now, months removed from its international premiere in October 2024, rumors surrounding a potential live-action adaptation ofLook Backhave begun to surface,and it seems likely that one is in the very early stages of development.
A Job-Listing Hints Toward a Live-Action Adaptation of Look Back
Hope for an Adaptation Comes From an Unlikely Source
The strongest hint towards an upcoming live-action adaptation ofLook Backhas come, surprisingly,from an online job listing. Posted on a site used for public recruitment, a call for actors ranging from children to teenagers to provide their services for an untitled film was discovered,and the movie’s description sounds quite familiar. From famed director Hirokazu Koreeda, the project is set to take place between 2007 and 2016 near stations and universities around Yamagata, Japan, where Kyomoto attended art college in the film and original manga.
The listing also describes a need for background characters and clerks throughout the city, as well as passengers on a train, again similar toLook Back’s scene in which Fujino and Kyomoto celebrate their manga contest results by spending a day together in the city. Another scene calls for police officers and an ambulance team near the Yamagata university, signaling some sort of tragic event. The truly telling section, however,calls for art university candidates, as well as those who have experience in charcoal drawing.
A Live-Action Look Back Has Quite a Bit to Live Up To
Other Versions of Look Back Are Masterpieces
While a live-action adaptation ofLook Backwould certainly be welcome,the project would have a lot to live up to. Fans of Tatsuki Fujimoto commonly refer toLook Backas the author’s best work, which is quite an endorsement when considering he is still writing and drawing the massively popularChainsaw Man.The 2024 film adaptation became an instant hitwithin the anime community, featuring highly stylized, breathtaking visuals, a gorgeous soundtrack, and masterful voice acting.Look Backis a story which has burrowed its way into the hearts of countless fans.
In the Wake of Look Back, Tatsuki Fujimoto Has Another Anime Movie Ripe for the Making
Look Back was 2024’s best anime film, and its author has written another manga that may be even better suited to appear on the big screen.
A live-action adaptation would come with extreme, built-in expectationsfrom those who have fallen in love withLook Backin either the anime or manga format. Though the recruitment notice might just be filled with coincidences, there are definite similarities between the events described and those that take place inLook Back. Given the incredibly early stages of production described by the listing, it’s fair to assume the film is quite a ways away, though fans will want to keep an eye out for any news in the near future.
Look Back
Cast
Confident artist Fujino and reclusive Kyomoto bond over their shared passion for drawing manga. As they navigate the challenges of growing up and pursuing their artistic dreams, their friendship deepens. The story beautifully explores themes of creativity, dedication, and the impact of personal connections on their journey.
