Fujimoto Tatsuki, the acclaimed mangaka behind popular works like Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, is seeing his heartfelt manga Look Back adapted into a live-action film, with its release slated for 2026. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the very first live-action adaptation of a Fujimoto Tatsuki work, with the internationally renowned Koreeda Hirokazu taking on the roles of director, screenwriter, and editor. To celebrate this exciting announcement, two captivating teaser visuals have been unveiled, giving us a glimpse into the film’s evocative atmosphere, showcasing memorable scenes like a snowy path and an impactful shot of figures’ backs inside a room.
About the Acclaimed Manga
Originally serialized on “Shonen Jump+” in 2021, Look Back is a powerful coming-of-age story crafted by Fujimoto Tatsuki, depicting the earnest journey of two girls striving to become mangaka. Upon its release, it immediately captivated countless manga fans and prominent creators alike, earning the coveted #1 spot in the male division of “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022.” The manga’s success continued with a highly successful theatrical anime adaptation in 2024, directed by Oshiyama Kiyotaka. This animated film garnered critical acclaim both domestically and internationally, being screened at prestigious events worldwide, including the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the largest animation festivals globally.
Director Koreeda Hirokazu’s Deep Connection and Vision
For this groundbreaking live-action adaptation, the visionary Koreeda Hirokazu will serve as director, screenwriter, and editor. Koreeda-kantoku is a celebrated filmmaker, having won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2018 for his critically acclaimed work, Manbiki Kazoku (internationally known as Shoplifters), with his latest projects always eagerly anticipated worldwide. It appears Koreeda-kantoku himself was deeply captivated by the poignant narrative woven within Look Back.
He recounts purchasing the manga spontaneously, drawn in by the “backs” depicted on the cover at a bookstore, and devouring it in one sitting. Reflecting on his initial impression, Director Koreeda commented, “I strongly felt that Fujimoto Tatsuki-san must have needed to create this work to move forward. For me, Dare mo Shiranai (internationally known as Nobody Knows) was such a work.”
Following this profound encounter with the source material, Director Koreeda received an offer to direct the live-action film from Producer Koide Daiki. He then had the opportunity to meet Fujimoto-san himself. Recalling the journey home, he shared, “I resolved that I simply had to do it.” Fujimoto-san, in his own statement, also expressed immense admiration for Director Koreeda’s meticulous direction, citing Umimachi Diary (internationally known as Our Little Sister) as the first Koreeda film he watched. Fujimoto-san declared, “If Director Koreeda is going to film Look Back, then I have nothing more to say. I’m truly looking forward to it!” This clearly demonstrates the full trust and anticipation the original author has placed in the esteemed director.
A Journey Through Seasons: Production Details and Unveiled Visuals
Though belonging to different genres, manga and film, this live-action adaptation of Look Back brings together two creators who continuously push the boundaries of their respective fields. Just like the original manga, the film will meticulously portray the 13-year journey of its two protagonists, Fujino and Kyomoto, beginning from their elementary school days, beautifully framed by the changing seasons.
Filming has already concluded, having taken place with the warm cooperation of local residents, primarily in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, spanning all four rich seasons. The project is currently in the editing phase, carefully shaping the narrative.
As mentioned earlier, two initial teaser visuals were also released to mark the announcement. These striking visuals capture memorable moments from the story, showing two figures walking along a snow-covered road and two others deeply focused on drawing manga at a desk in a room. For this production, acclaimed photographer Hamada Hideaki, active both in Japan and internationally, was on set, and he was responsible for capturing these stunning still visuals.
Global Anticipation for “Look Back”
The live-action film Look Back, based on the manga by Fujimoto Tatsuki, creator of masterpieces like Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, is set to premiere in 2026. This highly anticipated film is not only confirmed for release in Japan but also in South Korea and Taiwan. Preparations are underway for a global release, aiming for the film to reach a vast international audience. All eyes are now on future updates regarding its worldwide distribution!
Insights from the Creators: Full Comments
Koreeda Hirokazu (Screenwriter, Director, Editor)
My encounter with “Look Back” happened on the way back from Kyoto, when I was drawn to the “backs” on the cover of a book piled up at a bookstore in Shinagawa Station, and I instinctively picked it up. That evening, I read it all in one go.
Although manga and film are different genres, as a fellow creator, the resolve conveyed in the work deeply resonated with me. I strongly felt that Fujimoto Tatsuki-san must have needed to create this work to move forward. For me, Dare mo Shiranai (Nobody Knows) was such a work.
After that encounter, Producer Koide Daiki invited me to turn “Look Back” into a live-action film, and I was given the opportunity to meet Fujimoto-san. I had initially intended to simply express my gratitude for bringing such a work into the world and for being able to encounter it in the same era. However, on my way home, I remember resolving that “I simply had to do it.”
Filming has concluded, and we are currently in the editing process, but I believe it will become a truly rich and expressive work.
Fujimoto Tatsuki (Original Author)
The first Koreeda-kantoku film I ever saw was Umimachi Diary (Our Little Sister). The furniture in the new house the protagonists move into, and within the town’s diner, felt incredibly authentic, giving the story immense persuasive power. The subtle performances, even those not directly related to the main plot, made me feel as if the characters were truly living their daily lives beyond what we saw, and that deeply moved me.
If Director Koreeda is going to film Look Back, then I have nothing more to say. I’m truly looking forward to it!
Koide Daiki (Planning & Producer)
I reread “Look Back” many times on the day it was released on Jump+. It was shocking. I felt like I had read something incredible. Alongside various emotions, I felt as though I received some strong power from Fujino’s back.
Soon after, I had the opportunity to greet Fujimoto Tatsuki-san. I had wanted to convey my immediate impressions to Fujimoto-san, but at the last minute, I realized I wanted to ask if we could adapt this manga into a live-action film directed by Koreeda-kantoku.
I first met Director Koreeda as a teacher in a class I took as a student, and I used to gaze at his back from my seat in the classroom. I recalled stories I had heard and witnessed: how he filmed the children’s growth over a year through the changing seasons for Dare mo Shiranai (Nobody Knows), and how he directed child actors by verbally conveying lines without giving them a script for films like Umimachi Diary (Our Little Sister) and Kiseki (I Wish). Most importantly, the strong emotions I felt when watching Dare mo Shiranai were rekindled, and the more I thought about it, the more I believed that Koreeda-kantoku was the only one for this live-action adaptation, so I reached out to him.
Under Director Koreeda’s leadership, along with the cast and staff, and the people of Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, we meticulously filmed throughout all four seasons, striving for the utmost care. We are pouring our heart and soul into this production, so please look forward to it!
“Look Back” Live-Action Film: Project Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Look Back |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Original Work | Fujimoto Tatsuki’s “Look Back” (Shueisha Jump Comics) |
| Director, Screenwriter, Editor | Koreeda Hirokazu |
| Planning & Producer | Koide Daiki |
| Distributor | K2 Pictures |
| Copyright | (C)Fujimoto Tatsuki/Shueisha (C)2026 K2Pictures・Shueisha |
《Nakase Koutarou》
_
