Tatsuki Fujimoto has made quite a name for himself in the world of manga and anime over the last decade, rising to fame with his massively popularChainsaw Man.Lauded for his ability to craft masterful stories while incorporating often strange, unpredictable plot devices, his most popular series buries intimate character studies under the guise of a warped hero’s tale. And while his stories typically like to hide a lot of their substance under the hood, Fujimoto will never hesitate to slap his audience across the face with their themes.
ThoughChainsaw Mandominates much of the discourse surrounding the author, some of his greatest work resides in many of the one-shots released before and during its serialization.And with the recent anime adaptation ofLook Back, perhaps the most popular of his one-shots, larger audiences are now being introduced to the full scale of Fujimoto’s talents.
The coming of age story following two young artists, Fujino and Kyomoto, their names making two halves of Fujimoto,is one of the more intimate, poignant, and powerful to have been told in anime and manga in recent years.
Look Back Is a Powerful Tale of the Pains and Joys of Creation
The Artist’s Journey Takes Center Stage in the Story
Look Backbegins in an unassuming manner, following the young Fujino who creates short, yonkoma gag-manga in a comic strip style for her school’s newspaper. Her classmates all give praise for her work, until another mystery student also submits much higher quality manga to the newspaper.In frustration, Fujino quits drawing, disillusioned by her own lack of ability. Later on, she is tasked with delivering a diploma to the home of another student who, coincidentally, is the other young girl creating manga for the newspaper, Kyomoto.
What follows is an exceptionally moving journey into the lives of two young, hungry artists, as their unbreakable will to improve their talents brings them closer together. And just as Fujino and Kyomoto begin to receive attention for their work, creative differences eventually split the two characters apart. Preceding both heartwarming moments of success and devastating tragedy,the intimate glimpse into the process of becoming an artist is one of Fujimoto’s greatest artistic contributions.
Look Back’s Anime Adaptation Breathes Life into Fujimoto’s Panels
The studio behind the animated adaptation added a vibrant flair to Fujimoto’s work
Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, and produced by Studio Durian,Look Back’s anime film adaptation released in Japanese theaters on July 03, 2025. The film received rave reviews from both critics, fans of the original manga,and even the legendary Hideo Kojima, and is finally slated for release by GKIDS Films in North America on June 23, 2025. Fujimoto himself gave praise to the film on X, where he expressed his admiration forthe movie’s ability to convey certain things that he was unable to in his manga.
Translation via X: “I went to the preview screening of Look Back. It was a film that conveyed the talent and passion of the people involved in the production. They carefully picked up on things that I couldn’t pick up on myself, so I would like everyone who has read the original to see it too! Thank you to everyone involved in the original manga and anime movie!”
- Tatsuki Fujimoto (@nagayama_koharu via X)
With the receptionLook Backhas already garnered, despite not yet having been released in North America,many believe the film will go down as one of the very best in recent years. Its premise being so grounded, while retaining even just a small amount of Fujimoto’s trademark outlandishness,proves the author’s immense talent for storytelling. With the second part ofChainsaw Manseemingly entering its climax, the author may soon return to releasing masterful one-shots likeLook Back.
Look Back
Cast
Confident artist Fujino and reclusive Kyomoto bond over their shared passion for drawing manga. As they navigate the challenges of growing up and pursuing their artistic dreams, their friendship deepens. The story beautifully explores themes of creativity, dedication, and the impact of personal connections on their journey.
