The live-action adaptation of Look Back, scheduled for release in 2026.
A brand-new clip showcasing the pivotal “manga creation scene” has been released, offering a poignant look at the countless hours Fujino and Kyomoto dedicated to their craft!
<The following content is quoted from the official announcement>
New Clip Featuring the “Manga Creation Scene” Released!
The newly released footage captures the daily life of Fujino (Natsuki Deguchi) and Kyomoto (Aju Makita) as they sit side-by-side at a desk in Fujino’s room, lost in the world of manga.
The scene is dominated by the rhythmic scratching of pens and the soft rustle of paper as Fujino draws the characters and Kyomoto handles the backgrounds. “Maybe keep this part a bit simpler so the character pops more,” Fujino suggests while peering at a finished page. “Oh, you’re right. I guess I overdid it,” Kyomoto replies. Their natural, easy-going conversation paints a vivid picture of their creative bond.
As Fujino mutters to herself, “I haven’t even picked a name for the protagonist yet…” her pen never stops moving. Kyomoto listens in with a playful smile, softly humming “shuu, shaa, shuu, shaa” to the rhythm of her own lines as she fills in the background. It’s an intimate glimpse into a precious moment where two souls are bound by their unwavering passion for manga.
Both Deguchi and Makita took their roles seriously, diving into manga-drawing practice four months before filming began. Even during breaks on set, they were often seen with pens in hand.
In fact, the close-up shots of hands drawing in the film actually belong to the two actresses. Makita reflected on the experience, saying, “I was so nervous during the close-ups that my hands were shaking. But when I saw the finished footage, I could see the genuine progress in my skill, and I’m so glad I practiced.” Deguchi echoed that sentiment, showing her confidence: “I practiced hard, and I knew that if I lacked confidence, it would show in my lines. So, I drew every stroke with total conviction.”
Director Hirokazu Kore’eda revealed that his inspiration for the film’s atmosphere came from a conversation with the author of the original manga, Tatsuki Fujimoto. Fujimoto had mentioned, “The ‘sha’ sound of a veteran assistant drawing a line without hesitation is just so cool.”
Taking that to heart, Director Kore’eda focused intensely on the “sound” of drawing to bring the story to life. “I felt the sound had to evolve over time. That’s something only a live-action film can really emphasize,” he explained. “In the beginning, the lines drawn by the two as children should sound hesitant. But as they grow, those strokes need to transition into that confident ‘sha, sha’ sound. I think we managed to convey that growth.”
We invite you to experience the specific “sounds” of manga creation when you see Fujino and Kyomoto’s journey on the big screen.
“Look Back” Live-Action Movie Information
Fujino, a supremely confident fourth-grader, is the star of her school newspaper thanks to her serialized four-panel manga, which earns her constant praise from her classmates.
However, everything changes the day she sees a manga by Kyomoto—a truant classmate—published in the same paper. Shaken by Kyomoto’s overwhelming artistic talent, Fujino becomes obsessed with improving her art. She spends years drawing relentlessly, but the gap feels impossible to close, eventually leading her to give up on manga altogether.
That is, until graduation day. When Fujino is tasked with delivering a diploma to Kyomoto’s house, she discovers that Kyomoto was actually a massive fan of her work.
United by their shared devotion to art, the two begin creating manga together. As they build a treasure trove of irreplaceable memories, an unexpected event occurs that will change their lives forever.
Fujino: Natsuki Deguchi
Kyomoto: Aju Makita
Fujino (Childhood): Fuuri Nanase
Kyomoto (Childhood): Rokka Okada
Maeda: Masaki Suda
Tamai: Kankuro Kudo
Akari: Kayo Noro
Nishi: Ryo Ikeda
Megumi: Miyu Sasaki
Manabe: Maho Yamada
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
