The 48th Japan Academy Prize ceremony was held on March 14 at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo, where Look Back won the award for Best Animation. Presenting the award was Junichi Nishioka from Studio Ghibli, standing in for Hayao Miyazaki, whose The Boy and the Heron won the same award last year. Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who worked on The Boy and the Heron before starting production on Look Back, expressed deep emotion upon receiving the award from Studio Ghibli. "Receiving this award from Studio Ghibli makes it even more special," he said.

Look Back is a 58-minute animated adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s one-shot manga. It follows Fujino, an elementary school student who serializes a four-panel manga in the school newspaper, and her reclusive classmate Kyomoto. The two bond over their shared passion for manga, but a tragic event changes everything.

Despite being animated by just eight skilled animators, with Oshiyama personally handling more than half the cuts, Look Back gained popularity through word of mouth. Initially released in 119 theaters, the film expanded its screenings and grossed an impressive 2.04 billion yen.

During the award ceremony, Oshiyama was joined by animator Toshiyuki Inoue and voice actress Yumi Kawai.
"I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. I have immense respect for the talented animators, including Mr. Inoue, who supported this project. Animation as an art form relies on technical expertise, without which films like this wouldn't be possible. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this film, as well as to the many animators and staff members who sustain Japan’s animation industry," Oshiyama stated.

He continued, "Receiving this award from Studio Ghibli is particularly meaningful for me. Seven years ago, I worked as a key animator on The Boy and the Heron under Miyazaki-san. When I left the studio, I told him, ‘I’m heading off to make my own films.’ Now, seven years later, I find myself receiving an award from Ghibli, which fills me with deep emotions."

Kawai, who voiced a character in the film, shared her excitement, "Even before I recorded my lines, I was captivated by the animation I received. I was eagerly waiting for this film to reach the world. Now, seeing this day come, I feel both happy and convinced that this is how things were meant to be. I am truly proud to have been part of Look Back and want to express my utmost respect to everyone involved."

Source : ORICON NEWS