The upcoming live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back has revealed its lead cast, release date, a new poster visual and a special trailer. The film is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on September 11, 2026.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, the adaptation will star Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino and Aju Makita as Kyomoto, the two aspiring manga artists whose friendship is basis of the one-shot manga.
Deguchi plays Fujino, a confident elementary school student recognized for her four-panel manga. After discovering the artistic talent of her reclusive classmate Kyomoto, she becomes increasingly determined to improve her own work and pursue manga creation.
Makita portrays Kyomoto, a shut-in who rarely leaves her home and spends her days drawing manga. The two actresses previously appeared together in Kore-eda’s Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House and reunited for the film after building what the production described as a “strong relationship of trust.”
According to the announcement, both actresses spent approximately four months practicing manga drawing before filming began. You can watch the new teaser below.
The child actors portraying the younger versions of the protagonists. Furi Nanase will play young Fujino, while Rokka Okada will play young Kyomoto. Both performers were 11 years old and in the fifth grade at the time of filming.
Director Hirokazu Kore-eda praised the two young actresses, saying that he immediately felt they were the right choices during auditions. This will mark Nanase’s acting debut.
Reflecting on the original manga, Deguchi commented:
“After finishing the original manga, I was deeply moved by the way the two characters desperately pursue their dreams together, always moving forward, and by the sincerity and unwavering determination that overflow throughout the story.”
Makita commented:
“I remember feeling a strong connection to both Fujino and Kyomoto as they encountered many challenges, but still found the strength to keep moving forward for the sake of what they were passionate about.”
Kore-eda also shared his thoughts on the film’s cast.
Regarding Deguchi, he said:
“What makes her so captivating is the way her remarkable growth coexists with the same natural cheerfulness she has always had. She portrayed Fujino beautifully, fully embodying the character.”
Speaking about Makita, Koreeda revealed that he had envisioned her in the role long before production began:
“After reading the original manga, I had the opportunity to meet with her and told her, ‘If I ever get to make this film, I want you to play Kyomoto.'”
He added:
“I felt completely confident entrusting the role of Kyomoto to her.”
The new visual also features Fujino and Kyomoto, and you can check it out below.
Originally published in 2021, Look Back is a standalone manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. The one-shot received widespread acclaim and later inspired the 2024 anime film adaptation produced by Studio Durian. We also had the chance to interview the anime film’s director Kiyotaka Oshiyamaa.
The live-action version is being filmed primarily in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture in Japan and is scheduled to premiere in the country on September 11, 2026. GKIDs also confirmed a 2026 release date for the US. The full staff includes:
- Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Composer: Yuta Bandoh (also known as Taku Matsushiba)
- Photography: Senzo Ueno
- Lighting: Masachio Nishida
- Sound Engineer: Kazuhiko Tomita
- Art Direction: Shinsuke Kojima
- Costume: Sacico Ito
- Hair & Make-Up Supervision: Katsuhiko Yuumi
- Assistant Director: Kensei Nakayama
- Scripter: Ryoko Taguchi
- Casting: Toshie Tabata, Yoko Yamashita
- VFX Supervisor: Rinto Ueda
- Line Producer: Shinichiro Muraoka
- Support: Nikaho, Akita Prefecture
- Planning, Producer: Daiju Koide
Source: Look Back Official Website
© Tatsuki Fujimoto / Shueisha
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