Tatsuki Fujimoto's Look Back won the best anime film at the 34th Japan Film Critics Awards.
The anime film Look Back, based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's one-shot, won the best anime film accolade at the 34th Japan Film Critics Awards. Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, it was released to the Japanese box office in June 2024.
This wasn't the first time Look Back won an accolade at a prestigious awards ceremony. Previously, the anime film has won Best Picture at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2025. Tokyo Anime Award Festival selected the winners from 417 anime titles distributed within Japan from 1 October, 2023 to 30 September, 2024.
Look Back made an immediate impact at the Japanese box office when it's debuted. According to Animenewsnetwork, the movie was ranked second in terms of ticket sales during its opening weekend. However, it ranked first for weekend earnings. The film sold 135,000 tickets and earned JP¥227 million (about US$1.4 million) in its first three days.
The film's success also extended beyond Japan, with a North American screening by GKIDS in October 2024. Look Back even became Letterboxd's highest-rated animated movie in 2024.
Look Back was based on a one-shot manga written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man. It was first published on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ platform in July 2021. The story revolves around Ayumu Fujino, a fledgling manga artist who is lauded for her work in her school newspaper. Ayumu's life changed drastically after encountering Kyomoto, an introverted classmate with extraordinary art talent.
The story delves into themes of creativity, passion, and the impact of relationships on personal growth. Look Back explores the emotional struggles of pursuing artistic perfection, the sacrifices it demands, and the bonds that shape our lives.
