Kore-eda Adapts "Look Back" Manga with Unique Style

Kore-eda Hirokazu's latest film, "Look Back," adapts the popular manga of the same name by Fujimoto Tatsuki. This marks Kore-eda's third adaptation from manga but his first from such a widely celebrated work. The story centers on two classmates, Fujino and Kyomoto, who pursue their dreams of becoming manga artists while still in school.

The director was drawn to the manga's cover image and found inspiration in its pages during a period of creative slump caused by the pandemic. He aimed to convey his gratitude to the original creator through this film, a medium he was compelled to return to. The resulting movie masterfully blends Kore-eda's naturalistic approach, particularly with child actors, with the dynamic tempo of the manga panels.

Kore-eda specifically noted his ability to adapt "Look Back" while feeling unsuited for Fujimoto's action-oriented works. He emphasized his deep dive into the manga creation process, including researching mangaka, reading extensively, and even hiring an instructor for the young actresses to learn authentic drawing techniques. The film carefully translates the solitary act of drawing manga into a rich cinematic experience, capturing the sounds and digital evolution of the craft.

In adapting the characters, Kore-eda softened Fujino's brashness compared to her manga counterpart. He transformed monologues into dialogues and actions to maintain realism in the live-action format, making the character's expressions more relational. Reflecting on his own youth, Kore-eda shared a personal anecdote about a classmate who inspired him to read voraciously, drawing a parallel to Fujino's shock upon encountering Kyomoto's superior artistic talent. This classmate remains a critical reader of Kore-eda's films to this day.