Why do you keep on doing the activities you love even when you struggle? Tatsuki Fujimoto allows us to ponder this question in Look Back, a coming-of-age film based on his one-shot manga of the same title. It’s the story of manga artists Ayumu Fujino and Kyomoto, but it also tells the story of artists all around the world.

This review is spoiler-free.

For the Love of Arts

Look Back is a very straightforward film. It’s about drawing, manga, and the arts, told through the lens of Ayumu Fujino. The film spans her adolescence and adulthood, during which she discovered the joy of drawing, abandoned it, then picked it up again and made it her lifeline. Fujino spent those days with her rival-turned-friend, Kyomoto, who strived to become better at drawing just like her. It’s a celebration of passion and artistry, but it’s also about the people we meet along the way and their lasting impact on our lives.

The Passing of Time

The story itself is moving and inspiring, but Look Back elevates the narrative with a stunning animation that keeps you invested. To perfectly capture the beautiful passing of time, the scenes are often cut to various seasons of Fujino’s life. Her environment and clothing may change, but she’s always drawing on a desk at home, in her classroom, or at the library, without looking back. It’s paired with an impressive sound design that makes it even more cinematic. Eventually, Kyomoto joins the picture, and we see them grow as artists and closer as friends.  

Don’t Look Back in Anger

Look Back does an impressive job of showing us that it’s nice to look back on our lives sometimes, as it will give us the courage and purpose to keep going. The past is not beautiful at all, but it’s where we will find the value of our dreams and the people we hold important. There has been joy, and there might be loss, but life finds a way to lead us into acceptance and hope for the unknown. We can look back, but the next step we have to take is to look ahead and move forward.

A Film Tribute Worth Watching

Look Back is less than an hour in length, but it didn’t fall short of greatness. From the storyline to the animation, including the symbolism throughout, Look Back showcases Fujimoto’s love for the arts and pays homage to the artists and studios who bring animanga to life.

Look Back is based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s best-selling one-shot manga of the same title, popularly known for its cinematic-like panels and emotionally touching themes. A live-action adaptation has been confirmed and will be released in Japan this year. It will be directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, who is known for Shoplifters (2018) and Monster (2023). 

Look Back is currently airing on Prime Video.