Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s Live-Action ‘Look Back’ Unveils First Clip Ahead of Release

Hirokazu Kore-eda has always been a filmmaker who embraces change, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most active years of his already impressive career. Following the premiere of the science-fiction family drama ‘Sheep in a Box’ at Cannes earlier this year, the director of ‘Shoplifters’ is now set to present a different kind of passion project to global audiences.

This new project is a live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s cherished manga ‘Look Back,’ marking the first time any of the ‘Chainsaw Man’ creator’s work has been adapted into live-action. Kore-eda has expressed that he was captivated by the story from the moment he discovered it in a bookstore at Shinagawa Station, reading it in one sitting and recognizing the same creative urgency that inspired his film ‘Nobody Knows.’

Now, fans are getting their first look at this adaptation in action. A newly released clip showcases stars Aju Makita and Natsuki Deguchi bringing the manga’s main characters, Kyōmoto and Fujino, to life as they collaborate on their shared passion for drawing manga, offering a glimpse into the film’s tone ahead of its release.

The narrative centers on Fujino, a talented aspiring manga artist, and Kyōmoto, a shy admirer of her work, as their unlikely friendship develops over more than a decade. What starts as an artistic collaboration eventually leads both characters to face challenging decisions that threaten to disrupt their creative partnership, a storyline Kore-eda approaches with his characteristic humanist touch.

Early reviews from the film’s festival premiere indicate that this sensibility translates beautifully to the screen. One review noted the film’s cinematography as an intoxicating mosaic of vibrant seasonal imagery, captured over an entire year to authentically reflect the changing weather of its Nikaho filming location, drawing comparisons to the works of anime director Makoto Shinkai.

Production notes confirm that the film was shot entirely on film stock, with composer Yuta Bandoh, recognized for his work on ‘Belle’ and ‘Kaiju No. 8,’ providing the score, and cinematographer Senzo Ueno behind the lens. This combination of talent has contributed to a visual style that critics have already highlighted as one of the adaptation’s standout features.

‘Look Back’ is not the manga’s first adaptation for the screen. A 2024 animated film directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama achieved significant box office success in Japan, grossing over $12.8 million worldwide and earning a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Annie Awards, along with securing a release deal with Prime Video.

Manga creator Tatsuki Fujimoto personally endorsed Kore-eda’s live-action interpretation after being approached by producer Daiju Koide, who facilitated discussions between the two creators about adapting the story. K2 Pictures is distributing the film in Japan, with Goodfellas managing international sales and GKIDS obtaining theatrical distribution rights across North America, the UK, and Ireland.

The film is set to make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival this September, following a theatrical release in Japan starting September 11. A specific release date for North American audiences has yet to be announced.

With early festival buzz already drawing favorable comparisons to its acclaimed animated predecessor, ‘Look Back’ appears poised to become another remarkable addition to Kore-eda’s celebrated filmography. For fans of Fujimoto’s work, this adaptation presents a genuinely different, more contemplative perspective on a story that has already demonstrated its emotional depth across various mediums.

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