Look Back Speaks to the Artist in All of Us

Key Takeaways

• Look Back is a profound film about the struggles and joys of creating manga, touching hearts with relatable themes.
• The story follows the journey of two young artists as they face hardships, learn from each other, and grow together.
• Director Oshiyama’s visual choices celebrate human-made art at a time when AI is prevalent, an intent that lends the film added weight.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s seen more than a few heartwarming tales, I must say that “Look Back” has managed to carve out a unique place for itself in my heart. Having witnessed the evolution of anime from its humble beginnings to the technological marvel it is today, I can truly appreciate the efforts made by Director Oshiyama to preserve the essence of manga artistry in this film.

There’s an undeniable charm to animated productions that explore the process of creating anime, manga, or art in general, resonating deeply with viewers regardless of their artistic background. The film Look Back, by Studio Durian – a movie centered around manga drawing – has left audiences equally captivated since its release in North American cinemas, and the accolades it’s received are well-earned.

According to the renowned manga “Chainsaw Man,” published on July 19, 2021, the movie titled “Look Back” focuses on two girls who find common ground in their dreams of creating comics. Kiyotaka Oshiyama, founder of Studio Durian and director of the 2016 animated series “Flip Flappers,” as well as an animator for “Devilman: Crybaby,” “Space Dandy,” and numerous other projects, is directing this film.

The Joy and Pain of Drawing

As you encounter Ayumu Fujino, there’s an unspoken understanding, a quietness teeming with significance. The soft taps of her feet, audible sighs and muffled groans of frustration, and the dynamic scratching of a pencil against paper create a symphony that fills the space. This young illustrator, despite being in fourth grade, faces a silent struggle familiar to any artist, regardless of age, as she grapples with imperfections on her canvas.

Afterward, her mood brightens significantly as the movie transitions to her in class the following day, basking in the admiration of her peers for her freshly published four-panel manga in the school newspaper. Debut actress Yumi Kawai skillfully embodies the subtle arrogance of a budding talent on the verge of adolescence. It’s the sense of accomplishment that arises when, at such an age, one exhibits signs of great potential before fully grappling with the challenges of growth and development.

How Look Back Tackles the Hardships of Pursuing Art

If the depicted scene stirs feelings of nostalgia within you, the movie as a whole can be seen as an overwhelming tide of relatable challenges, intricately portrayed. When Kyomoto, a student notorious for skipping school, starts contributing her manga to the school newspaper, Fujino feels a deep sense of competition as she realizes that this girl’s artwork surpasses her own. From there, a rivalry unfolds. Fujino becomes intensely focused on perfecting her craft, pouring over illustration books, searching in vain for easy solutions, and filling countless sketchbooks with her drawings.

As time goes by, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy, a sensation that many artists who dream of creating more have experienced at some point. This struggle almost drives her to give up. Look Back initially explores the challenges and determination needed to grow as an artist, which can seem overwhelming when compared to the pleasures one might forgo. However, everything shifts dramatically when Fujino encounters Kyomoto.

A Promise to Get Better Together

Kyomoto is an introverted individual who shies away from social interactions, yet she can’t help but enthusiastically approach Fujino, viewing her as a “manga prodigy.” At first, Fujino is unsure about this attention, but soon her passion for drawing revives with renewed vigor. As a result, the two form a bond that transcends friendship and evolves into a partnership. Fujino excels at creating characters, while Kyomoto showcases her skills in crafting backgrounds. Their combined talents drive the narrative as they strive to improve their artistic abilities together.

Beyond just assisting one another, it’s primarily about aiding each other in personal development. For Fujino, this involves grappling with the motivation behind her art, while for Kyomoto, her experience encompasses not only conquering her fear of people but confronting that fear independently. Though their paths might lead them to distinct destinations, they will forever cherish their shared time as something precious and incomparable – a defining moment in their lives’ journeys.

Online responses to this movie have been nearly as heartwarming as the film itself, making it worth revisiting for a fresh perspective. As artists, quiet souls, or simply people who value those in their lives deeply, this movie resonates on a deep level. It tugs at our heartstrings not just because of its quality, but because of the obvious passion and effort put into its creation by the team behind it.

Look Back Is A Special Kind of Beautiful

In comparison to its source material, the movie is relatively brief. However, GKIDS’ cinematic presentation – at this point in time – includes a post-show segment. This part consists of interviews with the director, along with the actresses who portrayed Fujino and Kyomoto, Yuumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida. During my viewing, it was heartening to observe that the audience remained after the film to watch this additional content. Indeed, it enhances one’s appreciation for the movie.

Director Oshiyama has already made a name for himself as an excellent animator, but this new movie may significantly boost his fame. The passion and dedication he showed in discussing the project, and the intricate details he put into it, showcase his exceptional talent. He skillfully utilized the advantages of animation while maintaining the distinctive art style from the manga by applying certain visual principles.

Is This the Most Faithful Manga Adaptation?

In the interview, he explains that he intentionally avoided making the designs too rigid and included intentional human errors to give the artwork a distinct manga-like feel. This is noticeable in the sketchy line art that usually appears hand-drawn with pencil. Moreover, Oshiyama underscores that the film isn’t just about appreciating manga art generally, but it places significant emphasis on the background artwork specifically.

In areas where the movie extends upon its original comic material, it avoids exceeding its limits, instead aiming to express and enrich the feelings portrayed in the manga. A prime instance of this can be observed when Fujino is depicted running through the rain on her journey home following her encounter with Kyomoto. Without any dialogue and solely relying on Haruka Nakamura’s music, this sequence serves as a potent display of emotion communicated primarily through the characters’ performances.

The Profound Meaning Beneath the Surface

What sets Look Back apart, in both its original manga version and this animated remake, is the unique background of its creation. Fujimoto’s one-shot was essentially a heartfelt tribute to the lives tragically lost during the Kyoto Animation arson incident of 2019. Certain aspects of the storyline seem to reference these unfortunate events.

In regards to the anime, Oshiyama mentioned that he consistently considered the evolving scenery of animation and art during production. Many of the stylistic choices were created as a tribute to human-made art, a time when AI could potentially impact artistic creativity significantly. Given this perspective, the subtle imperfections carefully maintained in each frame hold much more significance than usual.

Oshiyama referred to “Look Back” as a “song celebrating creators,” and this characterization couldn’t be more fitting. It serves as a testimony of the trials faced during the creative process, yet simultaneously offers a nod to the camaraderie forged through creation, which ultimately validates those challenges. Above all, for anyone hesitant about sharing their heart with others, it extends an encouragement to do so, skillfully composed with affection and respect for the courage required to persevere in spite of everything.

Look Back is currently playing in theaters in North America, distributed by GKIDS Films.

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2024-10-12 21:34