User Reviews

A short, beautiful anime, based on a short, beautiful manga, about a pair of teens who dream of one day illustrating their own manga and having it adapted into an anime. You can probably say this was an intimate subject for the authors, and it spoke to me on a personal level, as well. I know how transformative it can be to share a deep, artistic passion with a kindred spirit, especially during early adolescence, and many points of Look Back’s story hit dead-center with my own experience. As, I’d presume, it might for a shocking number of creatives. We can push ourselves, toy with different styles, discover new inspirations, but there’s really nothing like the mix of emotional connection and healthy rivalry that comes from meeting and accepting someone on a parallel road. Look Back is about friendship and passion, and the mutual devotion that ties these together. For Fujino and Kyomoto, the socially divergent girls at the story’s epicenter, that bond is formed around sequential art, but the same story could revolve around any number of liberal pursuits: music, literature, film, dance... anywhere inspiration grows, frantic and ravenous. That fire usually burns awfully bright, though, and emotions can often bite, as is the eventual case for our girls. After years of close, fruitful accord, they hit the rocks and grow apart. This will pose another familiar question for those of us who identify: can our work stand on its own, or were we taking more than we gave to that fractured relationship? Self-doubt is a powerful influence amongst poets. We follow the plot through fleeting peeks and glimpses that tell just enough to let the story breathe. Resonant moments in time that will linger in the girls’ memories (and, perhaps, our own) forever. The film’s artwork is suitably matched: simple and slight but potently expressive, like a charming haiku. Its ability to capture these characters, the pain of their shifting moods and the majesty of their little corners of the world, is wonderfully efficient. No wasted motions, neither in the telling nor the illustration. Look Back may run for just fifty-eight minutes, but it’s fuller than most movies that go twice as long.

It goes above and beyond with doing the manga justice. The style is so pretty to look at.

Una película bonita, con una duración breve pero bien aprovechada, y una animación de calidad. Presenta una historia de amor bien lograda y poco convencional. Aunque no es la mejor película de anime que he visto, logró mantener mi interés y tiene su encanto.

Итог Для короткого тайтла — норм. Рисовка крутая, драматизма хватает, но по глубине это больше "вот вам печальная история", чем реальный "шедевр". Глянуть один раз можно, но пересматривать? Ну, такое. Короче, 5/10. Душевно, но переоценено.

I feel like Look Back could have been a much better film if it were longer, it's a good story, but the decision to packed this into one hour film only makes me lack the emotional weight that the film intended to, while some people might still connect with the emotions, i personally found it difficult because everything happens pretty quickly, adding more depth to the characters relationships and extending the runtime would undoubtedly make it a stronger film, most importantly, the emotional weight would resonate with me much more deeply, it's a good story with good meanings, good characters, good animation, and good performance, offering an interesting perspective of learning loss in life, Look Back is a fine film overall, and i still appreciate it, but it had the potential to be much more.

A truly heartfelt story about the creative passion shared between two highly different people, expertly directed and told through amazing animation (with great backgrounds!).

(Mauro Lanari) "The Butterfly Effect" poster and countless ("Sliding") doors within the world of mangaka and hikikomori: the idea that art's purpose, in a meta-narrative reflection, is to rewrite existence strikes me as at least childishly presumptuous.

A clear love letter to a medium I am not really in to. But wonderfully scored and animated with a simple heartfelt story.

A story of friendship, creativity and tragedy that shows that art imitates life. Those who identify with anime films will be fascinated, even if those 70 minutes will seem short.

Look Back is a phenomenal adaptation of the manga One Shot by Tatsuki Fujimoto of Chainsaw Man fame. The animation and visuals are incredibly unique yet beautiful. There are so many scenes that are mesmerizing to look at. The music score by Haruka Nakamura is wonderful and helps elevate the emotional impact of every scene. What makes this stand out against other animated movies is the exceptionally grounded and genuine story. It is a bittersweet and emotionally provoking look at pursuing passion while being a coming-of-age story. Even with the short hour-long runtime, the story delivers a rollercoaster of emotions that will definitely stick with you even after it is over. This is a must-watch!

The story follows the intense and tragic relationship between two high school girls, Fuyuki and Natsumi. After a violent incident at their school, the two are forced to confront their feelings of blame, guilt, and isolation. The film balances psychological tension with the struggles of adolescence, maintaining a delicate tone that resonates emotionally throughout. The themes of forgiveness and the search for identity are conveyed with remarkable nuance. The animation quality is stunning, with a dark, minimalist aesthetic that reflects the somber and introspective mood of the film. Look Back presents a world that is familiar yet unsettling, using colors and shadows to emphasize emotional states, heightening the film's psychological depth. The pacing and direction are excellent, with each scene building on the emotional weight of the previous one, creating a slow burn of tension that culminates in a gut-wrenching finale. One standout feature of Look Back is its handling of complex themes, especially how the narrative addresses the nature of violence, art, and personal healing. It is a deeply reflective story, inviting the audience to look at how trauma shapes people's lives, and how sometimes, closure comes from confronting one’s darkest moments.While Look Back is an emotional and thought-provoking watch, its heavy themes and intense emotional weight may not be for everyone. However, for those who appreciate introspective, character-driven stories, Look Back offers a uniquely poignant cinematic experience. Look Back is a striking anime that will resonate deeply with viewers willing to engage with its emotionally challenging material. The film's exploration of trauma, self-discovery, and reconciliation gives it a rare, haunting quality that lingers long after the credits roll.

Excellent, one of the best movies I’ve watched. The animation was just stellar— and I was completely enthralled by every second of this spectacle. I would go so far as to say it’s the movie of the year in my opinion. It was really incredible. I love Fujino, and I love art!

A great movie about being a creator And an amazing adaptation of a manga. The movie deserves all of the praise it is given.

While Look Back was a great story a touching at times, maybe the hype was had me expecting a little more. Or maybe I've seen it all before but I don't think there was a tear shed in my theater nor was there any laughter. And it was a full theater of fans. So a great little film which i will rewatch. I actually got more from the interviews after the film.

A Faithful and beautiful adaption with smooth adaptation and despites its short 1 hour runtime manages to set up and tell and end a full story.