Quick Read
- Hirokazu Kore-eda will direct a live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga ‘Look Back’.
- The film is produced by K2 Pictures, with a possible 2026 release and potential Cannes premiere.
- Kore-eda is known for ‘Shoplifters’, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2018.
- The manga tells the story of two classmates whose friendship and rivalry shape their creative lives.
- An anime adaptation of ‘Look Back’ won the Best Animated Work at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize.
Hirokazu Kore-eda Steps Behind the Camera for ‘Look Back’
The world of Japanese cinema is abuzz: Hirokazu Kore-eda, one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation, will helm a live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s poignant manga ‘Look Back’. The announcement, revealed in the pages of Shonen Jump Plus and confirmed by K2 Pictures, has set off waves of anticipation among both cinephiles and manga fans worldwide.
A Meeting of Modern Legends
For many, this collaboration feels like a dream. On one side stands Kore-eda, the director whose films—like Shoplifters and After Life—have redefined Japanese cinema with their delicate, humanist touch. On the other is Tatsuki Fujimoto, a manga artist whose work on Chainsaw Man reimagined shonen manga with wild energy, but whose one-shot Look Back reveals a quieter, more introspective side.
The project, produced by K2 Pictures (a studio launched in 2023 with major investment from the Development Bank of Japan), will be Kore-eda’s next major film and is rumored to target a 2026 release, potentially coinciding with the Cannes Film Festival. While official release dates are still under wraps, industry speculation points to a possible May premiere—a fitting stage for a filmmaker of Kore-eda’s stature.
From Manga Pages to the Silver Screen
Originally published by Shueisha in July 2021, Look Back quickly garnered acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of artistic passion, rivalry, and the subtle ways friendship shapes our lives. The story centers on Fujino, a brash grade-school manga prodigy, and Kyomoto, her reclusive classmate whose quiet talent challenges and ultimately transforms both their lives. What begins as a lighthearted rivalry evolves into a profound meditation on ambition, collaboration, and grief—territory Kore-eda has explored in his most acclaimed works.
Fujimoto’s narrative is both universal and deeply personal, resonating with anyone who has wrestled with self-doubt, competition, or the longing to create. The manga’s English translations, available via Manga Plus and VIZ Media, have only widened its international reach, setting the stage for a film that could cross cultural boundaries as few manga adaptations have managed.
Kore-eda’s Unique Approach: Why Fans Are Excited
Kore-eda’s filmography is defined by its gentle, observational style. His films often linger on the small, overlooked moments of everyday life, elevating them into quiet revelations. In Shoplifters, he explored the bonds of an unconventional family scraping by on the margins of society; in After Life, he imagined a liminal space where the dead choose a single memory to carry into eternity. Both films earned him global recognition, with Shoplifters nabbing the Palme d’Or at Cannes and an Academy Award nomination.
His more recent projects, like the Netflix series Asura, have continued this tradition, though on a different canvas. For Look Back, fans expect Kore-eda to bring his signature stillness and emotional precision, qualities that align seamlessly with the manga’s introspective tone. The challenge, of course, lies in translating the story’s internal struggles and subtle emotional shifts into a live-action format—especially when the anime adaptation by Kiyotaka Oshiyama has already set a high bar, winning the Best Animated Work award at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize in 2024.
The Weight of Expectation—and Opportunity
There’s a palpable sense of anticipation in both the film and manga communities. Many remember the skepticism that met earlier live-action adaptations of beloved manga, some of which faltered by missing the spirit of their source material. But with Kore-eda at the helm, there’s hope that Look Back will avoid these pitfalls. His reputation for authenticity and empathy suggests he’ll treat Fujimoto’s story with the care it deserves.
While casting details remain under wraps, early reports indicate production is well underway. Unofficial visuals have circulated online, and a dedicated exhibition is scheduled for Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills Gallery from January to March 2026, likely offering fans an early look at the film’s visual direction.
What Makes ‘Look Back’ Special?
Unlike the chaos and violence of Chainsaw Man, Look Back is a study in restraint. It’s about the way two young artists, thrown together by circumstance, shape each other’s creative journeys. Their story unfolds in the quiet spaces between competition and camaraderie, hope and heartbreak—a balance that echoes Kore-eda’s best work.
The decision to adapt this particular manga speaks volumes about the evolving landscape of Japanese cinema. As more directors of Kore-eda’s caliber turn their attention to manga adaptations, the line between “high” art and popular culture continues to blur, opening new possibilities for storytelling. For Kore-eda, whose career began in documentary filmmaking before moving into narrative features, Look Back is both a return to his roots and a step into new territory.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Kore-eda and Manga Adaptations
As the film industry awaits more details—cast announcements, official visuals, and a confirmed release date—the excitement is only building. For now, all eyes are on Kore-eda and his team at K2 Pictures. If the adaptation lives up to even a fraction of the manga’s emotional resonance, it could mark a watershed moment for both live-action manga films and Kore-eda’s storied career.
For those eager to revisit the source material, Look Back remains available in English through Manga Plus and VIZ Media. Meanwhile, Tokyo’s upcoming exhibition will offer a glimpse into the creative process behind both the manga and the film—an apt reminder of the collaborative spirit at the heart of the story.
Kore-eda’s involvement signals a rare convergence of cinematic and manga artistry. If his past work is any indication, the live-action adaptation of ‘Look Back’ could set a new standard for how Japanese stories are brought to life on the world stage, balancing intimacy with universality in a way that only a true master can achieve.