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Japan Anime News Edit by Taimu Tsuji

Look Back Anime Film Surpasses $13.53 Million Box Office: Audience Still Growing 3 Months After Release

The animated film Look Back, released on June 28, has surpassed a cumulative audience of 1,174,660 and box office revenue of 2,002,347,580 yen (approximately $13.53 million USD at 1 USD = 148 JPY) as of yesterday, the 7th.


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Since its release, Look Back has continued to enjoy an exceptional long-run, largely driven by word of mouth. According to promotional staff, the film's momentum has not slowed even three months post-release. In its 15th week, Look Back has drawn over 1.17 million viewers and crossed the 2 billion yen mark in revenue. The film began screening internationally on July 31, gradually expanding to over 20 countries and regions worldwide. As of October 8, its total global box office revenue has surpassed $5 million (approximately 740 million yen at the current exchange rate of 1 USD = 148 JPY).


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Fans on social media have showered the film with praise, leaving comments such as, "I couldn't stand up during the ending credits," and "This is one of the most important anime films in history."


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


To commemorate this box office milestone, a special commentary audio screening will be held starting October 11 at Look Back theaters nationwide. This audio feature will include conversations between director Kiyotaka Oshiyama and legendary animator Toshiyuki Inoue, who worked on the film’s key animations. Viewers will be able to enjoy the commentary via the free smartphone app "HELLO! MOVIE," using earphones to listen while watching the movie.


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee

Anime film Look Back (C) Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha (C) 2024 "Look Back" Production Committee


In the opening scene, where the camera zooms in on Fujino's house from the sky, Inoue remarked, "That was a tough and painful scene," prompting laughter. Director Okiura added, "Even though the scene was drawn using analog techniques, making the camera movement so smooth was technically challenging." Inoue replied, "While we could have created the base using digital techniques, the fact that it was all hand-drawn made it even tougher (laughs)."

Inoue also revealed behind-the-scenes details, saying, "There are some cuts that look easy in terms of animation but are like a slow punch to the gut in terms of difficulty. Director Okiura's request to focus on reflections made things even more labor-intensive. We had to draw reflections of papers in the characters' eyes and desks, or the light from fluorescent lamps reflected in the bookshelves—things we normally wouldn't do."

Look Back is a coming-of-age story by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, centered on the growth of two students, Fujino and her reclusive classmate Kyomoto, through their passion for manga. The story takes a dramatic turn after a life-shattering event. The film follows the two as their four-panel manga is published in the school newspaper, depicting their lives through middle school and high school.

Originally published as a 143-page one-shot on Shonen Jump+ on July 19, 2021, the manga received tremendous praise, with reactions such as "A work of genius" and "I'm speechless from the impact," garnering over 2.5 million views on the first day. It was ranked first in the Male Category of This Manga is Amazing! 2022 and was also nominated for the Manga Taisho 2022 award. The film stars Yuumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida in dual lead roles.

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Source : ORICON NEWS

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