Author: Newsroom
NEW YORK, NY (August 23, 2024) – GKIDS, the Academy Award®-winning producer and distributor of acclaimed and artist-driven animation from around the world, announced today it has acquired theatrical and home video rights for North America to the critical and box office sensation LOOK BACK. Directed and adapted for the screen by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, the film is based on the critically acclaimed original manga by best-selling author Tatsuki Fujimoto (“Chainsaw Man”). GKIDS will release LOOK BACK in in theaters nationwide starting October 4th in its original Japanese language.
LOOK BACK debuted at this year’s Annecy International Film Festival to multiple packed house screenings and rave reviews. It additionally held sold-out premieres at New York City’s Japan Cuts and Los Angeles’ Anime Expo. Upon its domestic release, LOOK BACK was a box office darling, having originally opened on 119 screens and quickly climbing to over 1 billion yen at the box office in the first two weeks. Due to popular demand, LOOK BACK remains in theaters and has since expanded its Japanese domestic run.
The film is based on the critically acclaimed manga of the same name from globally beloved and award-winning writer Tatsuki Fujimoto (“Chainsaw Man”). Upon its release, the original manga boasted 2.5 million reads on its first date of digital publication, and climbed to over 4 million in two days. The manga went on to receive numerous awards and nominations, including a nomination at the 2023 Eisner Awards.
LOOK BACK is the first feature production from Studio Durian, the studio founded by Director Oshiyama. Prior to LOOK BACK, Oshiyama has held key roles in several acclaimed works, including Key Animator on Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, Character Designer for the anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man, and Director of Flip Flappers – his series directorial debut. LOOK BACK is Oshiyama’s feature-length directorial debut.
The deal was negotiated between GKIDS and Avex Pictures.
Synopsis
Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing.
Based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of “Chainsaw Man”, Look Back captures the highs and lows of pursuing artistic excellence and the special bonds formed through creative collaboration. The heart-wrenching story is the stunning feature-length directorial debut from Kiyotaka Oshiyama that will leave you in tears and inspire you to chase your own artistic dreams.