Look Back

Play trailer

1:30

Look Back

2024

1h 15m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Anime

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

500+ Verified Ratings

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.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Audience Says

A moving tribute to all artists, Look Back delivers a multi-sensorial experience that extends beyond its beautiful animation.

Read Audience Reviews

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

11/12/2024

5/5

There’s a haiku-like purity to it: Look Back is as neat and yet also as overflowing as the four-panel strips in which its leads once diligently honed their craft.

Go to Full Review

Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

10/17/2024

3.5/5

The heady buzz of creation. The stillness of grief. The heart-expanding-five-times-its-size joy of a perfect day with a friend. It’s all there. I just wanted more of it.

Go to Full Review

Elijah Gonzalez

AV Club

10/03/2024

A-

Look Back exudes love for its source material, this medium, and the very act of creation in every frame. It’s crushing and visually vibrant in equal measure, so much so that it may even help AI art freaks inch back a bit closer to the light.

Go to Full Review

Matt Schley

Japan Times

01/23/2025

4/5

It’s a touching story that’s also a pleasure to look at thanks to director Oshiyama’s springy, supple use of animation.

Go to Full Review

Liam Maguren

Flicks (AU, NZ, UK)

01/15/2025

As the credits roll over a beautifully composed shot that mirrors the panels of a manga strip, there’s a sombre but satisfying sense that nothing else needs to be said. Not a minute more needed from this hour-long experience.

Go to Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

12/25/2024

4/4

The movie is meticulously designed, focusing on quiet details like the girls' drawing spaces, the weather, and time passing. It's a small miracle.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Reece s

Oct 29

Fujimoto just doesn't miss

See more

Ashton

Jun 12

Really sweet & inspirational. I'm glad I got to see it.

See more

Kaylyn B

01/05/2025

Most beautiful movie of the year. Deserves an Oscar for the rain scene alone

See more

Sophia S

12/25/2024

Fujimoto remains a visionary. My heart is broken

See more

Joshua

12/14/2024

One of the best animated movies Ive ever seen. Very emotional and extremely well written. This is a perfect adaptation of the one shot by Fujimoto.

See more

Mike

11/03/2024

Ruined my night. Amazing movie

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Director

Yumi Kawai

Fujino

Mizuki Yoshida

Kyomoto

Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Screenwriter

Sing a Bit of Harmony

100%

97%

Sing a Bit of Harmony

Watchlist

Next Sohee

94%

92%

Next Sohee

Watchlist

Property

100%

%

Property

Watchlist

The Colors Within

92%

91%

The Colors Within

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Colors Within

Mickey Hardaway

97%

%

Mickey Hardaway

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mickey Hardaway

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Look Back: Trailer 2

1:30

Look Back: Trailer 1

1:30

View more videos

View more photos

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.

Director: Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Screenwriter: Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Distributor: GKIDS
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2024
Runtime: 1h 15m