The live-action film adaptation of Look Back (ルックバック) has officially opened in Japanese cinemas today, Friday, 11 September 2026. The film marks the first-ever live-action adaptation of a work by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man.
About the Source Material
Look Back was first published on Shonen Jump+ in 2021 to enormous acclaim, taking the top spot in the male category of the “This Manga Is Amazing! 2022” rankings. In 2024, it was adapted into a theatrical anime film that went on to win the Best Animation Film award at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize.
Story
Fujino is a self-confident fourth-grader whose four-panel manga strips in the school newspaper earn her constant praise from classmates. One day, she encounters the work of Kyomoto, a reclusive classmate who refuses to attend school, and is stunned by the overwhelming skill on display. Determined to close the gap, Fujino throws herself into drawing — but when she can’t catch up, she nearly quits altogether. On graduation day, however, she delivers Kyomoto’s diploma to her home and discovers that Kyomoto has been a devoted fan of her comics all along. The two begin drawing together, building an irreplaceable bond — until an unforeseen event shatters their world.
Director and Cast
The film is directed, written, and edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda, who won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for Shoplifters. This is also the first Kore-eda film to be presented in Dolby Cinema and Dolby Atmos.
- Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino — known for the Netflix series Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san and films Kakushigoto and All Greens
- Aju Makita as Kyomoto — known for leading roles in Happiness and Shoumetsusekei, and for her work across multiple Kore-eda films including After the Storm
The supporting cast includes Fuuri Nanase, Rikka Okada, Kayou Noro, Ryo Ikeda, Miyu Sasaki, Maho Yamada, Kankuro Kudo, and Masaki Suda.
Fujimoto Tatsuki’s Comment
“When manga is adapted into a live-action film, directly translating the dialogue and performances from the page can sometimes result in something that feels unreal. In the live-action Look Back, Director Kore-eda solved this through the physical mannerisms of the actors and his distinctive camera movement, bringing out the atmosphere of the original with a genuine sense of reality without losing its essence. I was very happy to see that.”
First Visitor Gift
Audiences who attend the film between 11 and 17 September 2026 will receive a special A5 visual card featuring an illustration drawn exclusively by Tatsuki Fujimoto after watching the film. The artwork depicts Fujino and Kyomoto drawing together in quiet concentration, rendered in warm, delicate colours that convey the bond between the two characters and their shared passion for creation. Fans who have already received the gift have taken to social media to express their delight.
The gift is available in limited quantities — one per admission — and applies to both standard and Dolby Cinema screenings. It is not a ticket-purchase bonus; distribution requires actual entry to the theatre.
Dolby Presentation
Of the 358 cinemas showing the film nationwide, 11 will screen it in Dolby Cinema and 37 in Dolby Atmos. The score, composed by Yudai Bando, is joined by a rich soundscape of detail: the scratch of a G-pen on paper, rain and wind, and even the faint sound of breathing in a quiet room — all rendered with three-dimensional precision in the Dolby environment.
Film Details
- Source: Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto (Shueisha / Jump Comics)
- Release date: 11 September 2026
- Director / Screenplay / Editor: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Music: Yudai Bando
- Cinematography: Chikura Ueno
- Lighting: Masachio Nishida
- Sound: Kazuhiko Tomita
- Production Design: Shinsuke Kojima
- Costume: Sachiko Ito
- VFX Supervisor: Michito Ueda
- Producer: Daiki Koide
- Distributor: K2 Pictures
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