The live-action production of Look Back, based on the acclaimed one-shot manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, has bolstered its creative team with a trio of notable guest staff. Musician Kenshi Yonezu, known for his work on the Chainsaw Man anime, will contribute guitar tracks under the pseudonym "Shark Kick Guitar." This credit serves as a clever nod to the in-story manga featured within the film, which itself references Fujimoto’s earlier work, Fire Punch.
Joining Yonezu are singer and actress Tōko Miura, who will provide vocals for an insert song, and animator Yōko Kuno. Kuno, recognized for her extensive work with rotoscoping in films like The Case of Hana & Alice and Ghost Cat Anzu, will direct a rotoscoped sequence for the film, with production handled by Shinei Animation. These additions round out a production team led by acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who is also handling the screenplay and editing.
This live-action project arrives following the success of the 2024 anime film adaptation, which saw a strong international reception and a North American release via GKIDS. The live-action version is scheduled to debut in Japanese theaters on September 11, with GKIDS slated to bring the film to North American, U.K., and Irish audiences in 2026. The project has already gained prestige on the festival circuit, including a showcase at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival.
With a narrative centered on the evolving friendship and artistic rivalry between two young manga creators, the film aims to capture the emotional depth of Fujimoto's original 2021 work. The technical staff is rounded out by industry veterans, including composer Yūta Bandō and VFX supervisor Rinto Ueda, ensuring a high-profile production that bridges the gap between traditional live-action drama and the unique visual flair of the source material.
