TOKYO―22 October 2024―Prime Video today announced the exclusive streaming rights for the animated film Look Back, written by Tatsuki Fujimoto and directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama. Released in theaters earlier this year on June 28, the film will be available for Prime members in over 240 countries and regions starting November 7, 2024. Look Back is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in Japan enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership.
A theatrical adaptation of the manga published in Jump+ in 2021, Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the artist popularly known for Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, narrates the beautifully intertwined story of two young girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, connected by their earnest desire for manga and the unfortunate incident that upends their lives. Following their journey, their shared love for manga, and the shocking event that shatters everything between them. This heartbreaking coming-of-age story garnered an overwhelming response from critics and audiences alike during its successful theatrical run and held the number one position at the box office for two consecutive weeks while grossing over two billion yen (as of 10/7), despite a limited release in approximately 120 theaters nationwide. Directed, written, and character-designed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama—who has been involved in major theatrical productions such as Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, The Borrower Arrietty, and The Wind Rises—the film features Yuumi Kawai as Fujino and Mizuki Yoshida as Kyomoto. Kawai gained immense popularity for her role as Junko in the drama Extremely Inappropriate, and Yoshida is well-known for her roles in The Lump in My Heart and Songs of Kamui.
Look Back will be the first anime film released theatrically in Japan to be streamed exclusively worldwide by Prime Video since Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which was streamed exclusively worldwide by Prime Video in August 2021, marking Amazon MGM Studios joining the ranks of the Japanese Anime Production Committee.
Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama also unveiled a newly drawn key visual depicting Kyomoto marveling at Fujino’s manuscript to commemorate the film’s exclusive streaming on Prime Video.
“Building on the successful collaborations in the world-renowned Japanese animation industry since establishing a production division in Japan, we’re thrilled to exclusively stream the critically acclaimed and superhit anime film Look Back to the audience of Prime Video all over the world,” said James Farrell, Head of International Originals, Amazon MGM Studios. “With titles like Look Back, a masterpiece from Tatsuki Fujimoto, Prime Video is bringing the best of Japanese anime from talented creators to eager audiences worldwide by capitalizing on its involvement in the production committee, which has ‘An Ode to Creators’ as one of its central themes. And we’re committed to delivering animated works that resonate deeply with audiences around the world through the creative collaborations in the industry.”
“The film, Look Back, adds my own perspective to the powerful story of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga, bringing it to life as a film. Although it’s a short 58-minute movie, I’m truly amazed that so many people have visited the theaters multiple times to see it,” said Kiyotaka Oshiyama, director, scripter, and character designer. “I’m delighted that this worldwide launch on Prime Video will allow much more people to experience the film. I believe that being able to view it repeatedly through streaming will allow you to appreciate the movie from various perspectives at your own pace. Please do try to find the various Easter eggs hidden in the details of the film. I hope that through the beauty of animation, even a small part of its charm will be conveyed to you.”
“When the film Look Back was initially planned to release as a movie, I was told that if it was directly adapted from the original comic it would end up as a short film. To make the film available in more theaters, we needed to add 30-40 minutes to the original story, otherwise, this would limit the number of theaters where it could be shown in Japan or even America,” said Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of the original story. ” The fact that we were able to release it in its current form and quality is thanks to Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s direction. I was truly amazed at how he made the movie clearer and more vivid with regards to the expressions that I struggled with or couldn’t convey well in the manga. haruka nakamura’s music fits so perfectly that I can’t imagine any other music for it. It’s all thanks to these two. Thank you so much! Thank you also to everyone who came to see it in theaters! For those who are going to watch the film on Prime Video, it’s an incredible animation, so please try to watch it on the largest screen possible! I hope you enjoy it!”
Look Back Overview
Title: Look Back
Launch Date: November 7, 2024 (Thursday)
Casts: Yuumi Kawai, Mizuki Yoshida
Director: Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Writer: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Copyright: ©TATSUKI FUJIMOTO/SHUEISHA ©2024 Look Back Film Partners or ©TF/S ©2024LFP
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