The animated film Look Back has continued to dominate the Japanese box office since its release on June 10, 2024. Now, the head of Studio Ghibli and producer of films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Boy and the Heron, has given his review of the critically acclaimed anime based on a one-shot story by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto.
According to Comic Natalie via Crunchyroll, Toshio Suzuki, president and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, commented on the animated film Look Back, which is currently showing in Japan. Suzuki said, “Who is this work for? The answer lies in the film.” Despite its deliberate ambiguity, Suzuki acknowledged the creative spirit of the film, as Look Back follows two young girls on their journey to becoming manga artists. Of course, since this is a Fujimoto work, things are never as simple as they seem.
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Studio Ghibli's Toshio Suzuki is among many artists and creators praising 'Look Back'
Suzuki is not the only one who has spoken positively about Look Back. Renowned contemporary artist Yoshitomo Nara, whose work is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has had nothing but praise for the film. “I was so moved by the manga that I cried,” Nara said, “but when I heard the voices of the characters in the animation, with their unique and realistic tones, my heart was moved and I found myself crying again.”
Even Fujimoto himself was thrilled when Studio Durian adapted his work into an anime. Kiyotaka Oshiyama, president and CEO of Studio Durian, was the writer, director, and character designer of Look Back. After the film premiered at Anime Expo this year, Oshiyama was asked if he had any advice for artists looking to work in the industry. “Just draw,” Oshiyama said, referring to a famous line from the film.
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Tatsuki Fujimoto's Anime Look Back Now Faces Challenges Coming to the United States
While the short length of the animated film Look Back (estimated at under 70 minutes) makes it unlikely to receive a theatrical release in North America, a representative for the film's production team said they are “exploring avenues for wider distribution” of the film. Look Back recently grossed over 1 billion yen at the Japanese box office, an impressive feat for a film with such a limited distribution in such a short period of time.
The official English release of Fujimoto's Look Back manga is now available on Viz Media and the Manga Plus app. Season 2 of the Chainsaw Man manga is still ongoing, while an anime film based on Season 1 will be released in the future. Season 1 of the Chainsaw Man anime is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
Chainsaw Man
After being betrayed, a young man left for dead is reborn as a powerful human-demon hybrid after fusing with his pet demon and is soon recruited into an organization that specializes in hunting demons.
Author Tatsuki Fujimoto
Artist Tatsuki Fujimoto
Release date December 3, 2018
Chapter 127
Book 14
Publishing company Shueisha, Viz Media
Extend
Source: Comic Natalie, Crunchyroll