Tatsuki Fujimoto Praises Live Action Look Back Film: “It Captures the Manga’s Atmosphere With Realism”

The live action Look Back film held a completion report event in Tokyo attended by actors Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita, Furi Nanase, and Rokka Okada, along with director Hirokazu Koreeda. The film adapts manga creator Tatsuki Fujimoto’s work of the same name and will open in Japan on September 11.

The story follows Fujino, who has absolute confidence in her manga skills, and Kyomoto, who admires Fujino while possessing extraordinary artistic talent of her own. The two are brought together by their unwavering passion for manga, until one day an unexpected event changes their lives. As in the original manga, the film delicately and vividly depicts the thirteen years of their lives beginning in elementary school.

Natsuki Deguchi plays Fujino, while Aju Makita portrays Kyomoto. Furi Nanase plays Fujino as a child, with Rokka Okada portraying the young Kyomoto. Hirokazu Koreeda, known for films including Shoplifters, serves as director, screenwriter, and editor. This marks the first time one of Fujimoto’s works has been adapted into a live action film. Filming took place mainly in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, across all four seasons.

Fujimoto shared his thoughts after watching the completed film.

“I was very happy because, without losing the tone of the original manga, the film was able to bring out the atmosphere that the original had while giving it a real sense of authenticity,” he said, giving the adaptation his strong approval.

Koreeda responded, “I’m very happy. He praised the parts that I was particularly meticulous about portraying. I feel relieved.”

Deguchi, who watched the completed film together with Fujimoto, also expressed her relief.

“I watched the finished film together with Fujimoto. He gave us such kind words, and I felt relieved. Until it is released to the public, every day is filled with nervousness and anxiety. Just hearing him say that made me feel relieved.”

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Full Comment

“I think that when dialogue and performances from manga are transferred directly into live action, they can sometimes end up feeling unrealistic.

“With the live action adaptation of Look Back, however, Director Koreeda used the gestures and movements of the actors that are characteristic of his films, along with the movement of the camera, to preserve the tone of the original while bringing its atmosphere to life with a real sense of authenticity. That made me very happy.

“I was also moved every time I saw the way traditional manga drawing tools were used in the film, the uniquely satisfying sound of putting pen to paper, the way the houses had aged over time, and the sense of everyday life conveyed by the props. They felt like proof that Fujino and Kyomoto were genuinely living there.

“The original manga is mine, but because of all these elements, the film had firmly become a work by Director Koreeda. I was able to enjoy it very, very much, almost as though I were seeing the story for the first time.

“However, whenever my hometown of Nikaho City appeared, I could not help remembering what things were like back then, so I could not concentrate on the film!”

Source : ORICON NEWS