Live Action Look Back Film Stars Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino and Aju Makita as Kyomoto, Release Date Set for September 11

The release date for Look Back, the live action film adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, has been set for September 11.

Natsuki Deguchi and Aju Makita to Lead Hirokazu Koreeda’s Live Action Look Back

Natsuki Deguchi and Aju Makita have been announced as the double lead cast members, playing the protagonists Fujino and Kyomoto. Fuuri Nanase and Rokka Okada will portray the two characters in childhood, after Koreeda became convinced through auditions that “there could be no one else but these two.” Two teaser visuals and a teaser trailer have also been revealed.

The original manga was published by Fujimoto, known for Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, on Shonen Jump Plus in 2021. It recorded more than 2.5 million views on its first day of release and became a major topic of discussion. The collected volume has been published in 37 countries and regions worldwide, and in 2024 it was adapted into an animated film that earned 2.04 billion yen at the box office. The work has received high praise both in Japan and overseas.

The live action adaptation of this much discussed work is being handled by Koreeda, who won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for Shoplifters. He serves as screenwriter, director, and editor.

Fujino, the protagonist, will be played by Natsuki Deguchi, who has starred in films such as Ka Ku Shi Go To. She portrays a popular girl in class who excels at four panel manga and becomes absorbed in creating manga after meeting Kyomoto.

Kyomoto, a devoted fan of Fujino’s four panel manga who continues drawing while living as a shut in, will be played by Aju Makita, who has appeared in numerous Koreeda works, including After the Storm. Makita, whose performances in the film Happiness and the drama Reboot remain fresh in memory, embodies a girl who continues pursuing her dream together with Fujino.

Commenting on the original manga, Deguchi said, “I was deeply moved by the way the two of them chase their dream together and push forward desperately, by the fact that they can only move ahead, and by the work’s overflow of sincere and single minded emotion.”

Makita also shared her feelings for the work, saying, “I remember strongly relating to the way Fujino and Kyomoto each run into many walls, yet still stand up for the things they love and move forward.”

Ahead of filming, the two reportedly practiced drawing manga for about four months before the start of production. This marks their first time appearing together since the Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House. They took part in an extended location shoot centered around Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture.

Speaking about Deguchi, Koreeda praised her performance, saying, “About four years have passed since our first meeting, but I was surprised by how much she had grown. She had become able to express emotions with an even wider range. That growth, together with the same innocent cheerfulness she has always had, coexist within her in a way that is extremely appealing, and she fully brought Fujino to life.”

Regarding Makita, he expressed his trust in her, saying, “After reading the original manga, I had an opportunity to meet Makita, and I told her, ‘If the time comes when I can make this work, I’m counting on you for Kyomoto.’ I was able to entrust Kyomoto to her with complete confidence.”

The cast members portraying the protagonists in childhood were also announced. Fuuri Nanase will play Fujino, while Rokka Okada will play Kyomoto. Koreeda said that the moment he met the two through auditions, he was convinced that “there could be no one else but these two.”

Both were 11 year old fifth graders at the time of filming, and their birthdays are only one day apart. This film marks Nanase’s acting debut, and Koreeda described her as “positive, generous, and natural, exactly like Fujino,” making her a perfect match for the image of the character. As for Okada, Koreeda revealed, “She kept getting better and better as filming progressed, so I found myself thinking, ‘I want to see more of her,’ and her scenes ended up increasing from the original plan.”

The newly released teaser visual shows Deguchi and Makita absorbed in creating manga in Fujino’s room. Another visual captures the childhood versions of Fujino and Kyomoto asleep with their heads down on desks. Both visuals were photographed by Hideaki Hamada, with design by Shintaro Kira.

The teaser trailer shows the changing seasons that Fujino and Kyomoto pass through, accompanied by the sound of a pen moving across manuscript paper. Set to music by Yuta Bando, it depicts the two girls dedicating their lives to manga, heightening anticipation for the film.

Comments from the Four Announced Cast Members

Fujino: Natsuki Deguchi

After I finished reading the original manga, I was deeply moved by the way the two of them chase their dream together and push forward desperately, by the fact that they can only move ahead, and by the work’s overflow of sincere and single minded emotion.

I felt anxious about appearing in a work that is loved by so many people, but I was also very happy to be chosen for the role of Fujino. While practicing drawing manga every day, I built up my understanding of what kind of girl Fujino is and what feelings she carries.

I was also honored to work with Director Koreeda again. On set, he created an atmosphere where I could relax and be myself, and acting was very enjoyable. Being with Aju made me feel very calm. Even when I was filming alone, I was always with Aju in my mind while thinking of her, so I feel I was able to approach filming with the relationship between Fujino and Kyomoto in place. Everyone in Nikaho was truly warm, and it was a very homey place.

Kyomoto: Aju Makita

Several years ago, Director Koreeda gave me the original book and said, “This is a work I want to do.” That was my first encounter with Look Back.

I remember strongly relating to the way Fujino and Kyomoto each run into many walls, yet still stand up for the things they love and move forward.

When it was decided that I would appear in the film, I felt the excitement that it was finally happening, as well as the pressure that comes from the original work being loved by so many people. But the warm atmosphere of the Koreeda team and Natsuki’s innocent cheerfulness, which instantly brightened the set, quickly erased those worries. I was also comforted many times by Fuuri Nanase and Rokka Okada, who play the childhood versions, because they were always energetic and seemed to be having so much fun.

The people of Akita, where we filmed, were also truly kind to us, and I feel as though I have gained a second hometown.

I believe this is a work filled with the love of the entire cast and staff. I cannot wait for many people to see it.

Fujino in childhood: Fuuri Nanase

I was truly happy to receive my first major role, and I was excited for filming to begin. Fujino, the character I play, is a girl who acts tough, is playful, is confident, and is very good at making four panel manga.

The most fun part of the filming period was smashing watermelons together with Natsuki, Aju, Rokka, and everyone on the production staff. On the other hand, the difficult part was the scene where I had to run along a rice field road in the rain. We filmed it in February, so it was very cold.

Thanks to Director Koreeda’s advice, “Be free. I want you to do what you feel,” I was able to act as myself until the very end.

In Akita, I played a lot in the snow. I have many other memories too, such as drawing pictures of Rokka and the Look Back team, having a barbecue with the staff, and the people of Nikaho being incredibly kind to us.

Kyomoto in childhood: Rokka Okada

When I found out I had passed the audition, I honestly could not believe it and checked again and again. I thought it might be a dream, and maybe even now it still is. Kyomoto, the character I played, loves drawing and has incredible concentration. She is truly an amazing child, so I am honored to have been involved.

Everything about filming was fun, but the summer shoot in particular was the best summer vacation ever, with playing in the sea, smashing watermelons, and fireworks. On the other hand, the difficult part was practicing drawing. I worked hard for hours every day, but I could not improve easily. That was when I learned the word “progress.”

At first, I was so nervous around Director Koreeda that I could not even look him in the eye, but he was always generous and kind. By the end of filming, I was able to eat snacks with him and chat. Filming in Akita was full of kind people and beautiful scenery. Mucchi Senpai, Ms. Nanase, taught me how to make slime, and now I am into it too.

Source : ORICON NEWS