Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back Anime Movie North American Release Date Revealed

On August 23, 2024, GKIDS, a major media distributor in North America, revealed that they had acquired the rights to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back anime movie. The highly anticipated film is scheduled to debut in North American theaters on October 4. Additionally, the distribution company premiered an English-subtitled trailer for the movie in celebration of the announcement.

In June 2021, Tatsuki Fujimoto released the one-shot manga “Look Back”in Japan, which was later published as a physical volume internationally in September 2022. The following February, it was announced that the manga would be adapted into an anime film, set to be released on June 28, 2024 in Japan.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back Anime Movie Unveils Airing Date in North America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6HOnlTnVwc

LOOK BACK | Official Trailer – In Theatres October 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6HOnlTnVwc)

The official YouTube channel of GKIDS released an English-subtitled trailer featuring a preview of the movie, showcasing both female protagonists Kyoumoto and Ayumu Fujino. The trailer highlighted Fujino’s struggles with her parents, who wanted her to pursue a conventional job instead of pursuing her passion for drawing manga.

The anime film’s trailer also featured a preview of its theme song, Light Song, performed by Urara and composed by Nakamura Haruka. The trailer concluded by announcing the release date of the film, October 4, 2024, and revealing that it was animated by Studio DURIAN.

The anime film “Look Back”premiered in Japan on June 28, 2024 and grossed nearly 1.5 million USD in its first three days. The voice cast includes Yuumi Kawai as Ayumu Fujino and Mizuki Yoshida as Kyoumoto, both making their debut as voice actors in these roles.

The team consists of Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who serves as both the director and character designer (character designer for Deca Dence), Eriko Kimura as the sound director (known for her work on Devilman: Crybaby), and Kazuto Izumida as the director of photography (recognized for his role in Skip and Loafer).

Look Back

Ayumu Fujino as seen in the anime movie (Image via Studio DURIAN)

The Look Back anime movie tells the story of Ayumu Fujino, a fourth-grade student who has a passion for drawing manga. She shares her talent with her school by creating a four-panel manga for the school newspaper. Her skills are highly praised by the entire student body, and she quickly becomes beloved by all. However, her world is turned upside down when she is asked to make room for another student, Kyoumoto, in the school newspaper.

It was no surprise that Kyoumoto had an equal talent in manga as Ayumu. This fact did not sit well with Ayumu, causing her to devote much of her daily life to improving her manga drawing skills.

Ayumu eventually lost her ability to create magical stories through manga, causing her to give up her passion as a mangaka during sixth grade. On the day of their graduation, Ayumu is unexpectedly tasked with delivering the graduation certificate to her rival. Their encounter sparks a shift in both of their outlooks on life, bringing about significant changes in their lives.