Kore-eda’s Look Back Trailer Debuts, New Cast Revealed

The live action Look Back film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda has announced six additional cast members, including Masaki Suda and Kankuro Kudo. The film, based on the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, will open in Japan on September 11. Its main trailer and two poster visuals have also been unveiled.

The newly announced cast members are Masaki Suda, Kankuro Kudo, Kayo Noro, Ryo Ikeda, Miyu Sasaki, and Maho Yamada.

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Tatsuki Fujimoto’s First Manga to Receive a Live Action Film

Look Back is based on the manga of the same name that Fujimoto, known for works including Chainsaw Man, published on Shonen Jump+ in 2021.

The manga generated an enormous response immediately after its release and ranked first in the male readers category of Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022. It was adapted into an animated feature film in 2024 and won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Animated Feature at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony.

As of July 2026, the manga has surpassed one million copies in circulation. Look Back marks the first live action film adaptation of a work by Fujimoto.

Kore-eda serves as director, screenwriter, and editor. He previously won the Palme d’Or, the highest honor at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, for his 2018 film Shoplifters.
Natsuki Deguchi and Aju Makita star as Fujino and Kyomoto, two girls who devote themselves to creating manga. The film follows their lives over a period of 13 years. Furi Nanase and Rokka Okada play Fujino and Kyomoto during their childhood years, respectively.

Filming took place across all four seasons, primarily in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture.

A 13 Year Journey Bound Together by Manga

Fujino, played by Deguchi, has absolute confidence in her ability to draw manga. Kyomoto, played by Makita, admires Fujino but possesses extraordinary artistic talent of her own.
The two are brought together by their wholehearted devotion to manga, but one day, they are struck by an unexpected event. The film sensitively and vividly portrays the 13 years they share, beginning in elementary school.

Masaki Suda and Kankuro Kudo Join the Cast

Suda plays Maeda, an editor assigned to Fujino and Kyomoto when they bring their completed manga to Weekly Shonen Jump.

Kudo plays Tamai, the elementary school teacher whose decision to feature their four panel manga in the school newspaper leads to Fujino and Kyomoto meeting.

Noro plays Fujino’s mother, Akari, while Ikeda plays her father, Hitoshi. Sasaki plays Fujino’s older sister, Megumi, and Yamada plays Manabe, a teacher at the junior high school attended by the older Fujino.

Suda, who is joining a Kore-eda production for the first time, commented, “My first Kore-eda production, and it’s Look Back! Was my character inspired by that person? Was that filming location really that editorial department!? The entire shoot was filled with excitement.”

Kudo, who is also working with the director he admires for the first time, said, “I had wanted to talk about it for so long, but everyone in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, where we filmed, was incredibly good at keeping the secret. They were so thorough that they would not even say the film’s title. I may be the person who feels most relieved that the news is finally out.”

He continued, “The children were so energetic and adorable throughout the shoot. Thanks to everyone in Nikaho City, the atmosphere remained relaxed from beginning to end, and I feel that I was able to perform naturally.”

Noro is appearing in her third consecutive Kore-eda project following Monster and The Sheep in the Box.

“I was so happy to take part in the filming of Look Back and to work with director Hirokazu Kore-eda again,” she said.

“The scenery stretching out in front of the Fujino family’s home was truly beautiful. The conversations and time I shared with Director Kore-eda, the crew, and everyone playing the family remain unforgettable memories.”

Ikeda and Yamada are appearing in a Kore-eda film for the first time. Sasaki is working with the director for the second time following Shoplifters, in which she was selected through an audition to play Yuri.

Main Trailer Shows Fujino and Kyomoto Devoting Their Youth to Manga

The newly released main trailer shows Fujino and Kyomoto meeting through their four panel manga and devoting every part of their youth to drawing.

It features the girls sitting at their desks with pens in hand, the irreplaceable time they spend pursuing their dream, and Kyomoto’s memorable question, “Fujino, why do you draw?”

Two poster visuals have also been created. One shows the high school versions of Fujino and Kyomoto, played by Deguchi and Makita, smiling softly as they lean close together.

The other shows their childhood versions, played by Nanase and Okada, standing beside each other in a snowy landscape. Both posters feature the tagline, “We met because we drew.”

Look Back has a runtime of 99 minutes. Advance Movie Ticket cards and digital tickets will go on sale on July 17.

Full Comments from the Newly Announced Cast

Masaki Suda as Maeda, Manga Editor

“My first Kore-eda production, and it’s Look Back! Was my character inspired by that person? Was that filming location really that editorial department!? The entire shoot was filled with excitement.

“And then there were Fujino and Kyomoto. During an early morning shoot, there was a moment when the two of them rubbed their eyes at exactly the same time. I remember having this strange feeling that I had truly stepped into the world of the original manga.

“I cannot wait for the film to be released. Please see it in theaters.”

Kayo Noro as Akari, Fujino’s Mother

“I was so happy to take part in the filming of Look Back and to work with director Hirokazu Kore-eda again.

“Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture is a wonderful place. I participated in filming during both the snowy winter and the summer.

“Between scenes at the Fujino family home, we had fun together like a real family. Ryo Ikeda, who plays the father, would play with Furi, who plays Fujino, and I joined in and had fun with them as well. I will never forget the damako soup we all ate together.

“The scenery stretching out in front of the Fujino family’s home was truly beautiful. The conversations and time I shared with Director Kore-eda, the crew, and everyone playing the family remain unforgettable memories.

“After filming ended, I was also given the opportunity to observe the director’s editing process. They were truly fulfilling days.”

Kankuro Kudo as Tamai, Elementary School Teacher

“A production by the director I admire, and it’s Look Back!

“I had wanted to talk about it for so long, but everyone in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, where we filmed, was incredibly good at keeping the secret. They were so thorough that they would not even say the film’s title.

“When someone asked for my autograph and I wrote ‘Look Back’ on the wall of a bar, they scolded me, saying, ‘You can’t do that!’ ‘That’s a spoiler!’ and ‘You need to be more careful!’ I may be the person who feels most relieved that the news is finally out.

“The children were so energetic and adorable throughout the shoot. Thanks to everyone in Nikaho City, the atmosphere remained relaxed from beginning to end, and I feel that I was able to perform naturally. Congratulations on completing the film.”

Maho Yamada as Manabe, Junior High School Teacher

“When I met Director Kore-eda, he told me, ‘I want there to be an adult who watches over the children as they grow.’ I would be very happy if I was able to contribute to the making of this film, even in a small way.”

Ryo Ikeda as Hitoshi, Fujino’s Father

“When I was approached about this film, I was deeply moved by the opportunity to take part in a work directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and by the fact that the project was Look Back.

“What moved me even more, however, was the final sentence of the screenplay. It was the final line before the word ‘End.’ The entire story was condensed into those few words, yet they also expressed something beyond it. I was overwhelmed when I finished reading the screenplay.

“I cannot wait to see the completed film.”

Miyu Sasaki as Megumi, Fujino’s Older Sister

“My name is Miyu Sasaki, and I play Megumi, the older sister of the protagonist, Fujino.

“It had been a long time since I last worked on a Kore-eda production, and I was also getting to participate in the filming of Look Back, a story that deeply moved me in both its manga and animated film forms. I joined the production filled with excitement.

“Mucchi, which is what I call Furi, who plays Fujino, and I became as close as real sisters, both on set and in our roles. We spent such a fun time together that it felt like we were a real family.

“Megumi is dependable like her mother. She can be a little strict at times, but she is a caring older sister who loves Fujino very much.

“She is also passionate about karate. I study karate myself, so I was glad that I could put that experience to use in this film.

“There was so much snow in Akita, where we filmed, and the karinto snacks and kiritanpo were delicious. It was a wonderful place. Please watch the film!”

Source : ORICON NEWS