Award-winning Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is bringing the popular manga Look Back to the big screen in a new live-action adaptation. The project is based on the acclaimed one-shot manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto, widely known as the creator of Chainsaw Man.
Animation distributor GKIDS has secured distribution rights for the film across North America as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland. The announcement highlights the company’s continued push into live-action cinema while maintaining its reputation for bringing notable international titles to global audiences.
The coming-of-age drama follows the emotional journey of two schoolgirls who share a deep passion for creating manga. One of the girls struggles with intense social anxiety and lives a reclusive life, while the other dreams of becoming a successful manga artist. Their shared ambition eventually connects them, creating a powerful story about friendship creativity and personal growth.
Originally released online in 2021 on Shonen Jump+, Fujimoto’s one-shot manga quickly became a global sensation. Within just two days of publication the story attracted more than four million readers. The printed edition later sold hundreds of thousands of copies both in Japan and internationally and earned a nomination at the prestigious Eisner Awards in 2023.
This upcoming live-action version follows the success of the 2024 animated adaptation directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama. That animated film received a nomination for Best Independent Animated Feature at the Annie Awards.
Kore-eda is widely recognized as one of the most influential directors in contemporary world cinema. His 2018 family drama Shoplifters won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature.
The live-action Look Back was filmed in Nikaho City in northern Japan and is currently in post-production. It is expected to premiere in Japanese theaters sometime in 2026, with international releases planned afterward.
Kore-eda also has a busy year ahead. His upcoming futuristic drama Sheep in a Box explores the story of a couple who adopt an advanced humanoid robot as their child. With multiple high-profile projects in development, the filmmaker continues to expand his global reputation for emotionally powerful storytelling.
