Look Back is an anime coming-of-age film directed and scripted by Kiyotaka Oshiyama. It was produced by Studio Durian and based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto.
Elementary student Ayumu Fujino (Valerie Rose Lohman) draws manga shorts for her school newspaper. One day, a different student she has never seen, called Kyomoto (Grace Lu), draws a manga, and Ayumu is stunned by how impressive the background images are. At first, she obsesses over them, but then decides to call it quits. However, just before high school, a chance encounter reveals that Kyomoto is a fan of Ayumu’s, and they soon become friends. Soon, a manga contest changes their lives.
This is a touching and tragic tale about two friends. One is an extrovert while the other is agoraphobic, but they are both creative souls. It is a beautiful thing to see a story about a friendship that has no hidden agenda. You laugh with them, cheer for them, and cry with them as their story progresses. It tells the story of how art can bring people together.
The animation felt a bit rushed at times. Not that it was bad, but I do feel like it could have been enhanced just a bit. However, the character designs were excellent. You felt connected to Kyomoto and Ayumu as they were not drawn like superheroes, but normal people living normal lives.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the performance of the voice actresses. Both Lohman and Lu did an excellent job in their roles in the English dub. That goes just as much for the Japanese actresses Yuumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida. Everyone did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life.
Bottom line, Look Back is a true story of friendship and how the power of art can be uniting.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Distressing sequences
FAVORITE QUOTE: Keep your eyes on my back and you’ll grow too.
Check out the trailer below:
This review is based on the dub by VSI Los Angeles.
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