Hideo Kojima Lauds Look Back: A New Anime Masterpiece

In a world where anime continues to redefine the boundaries of visual storytelling, Hideo Kojima has thrown his weight behind a new feature that he describes as one of the most significant works in the medium over the last decade. The game designer and filmmaker took to Twitter to share his admiration for Look Back, an animated film based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga series. Kojima’s endorsement is clear: “Look Back is one of the most remarkable anime of the past decade. I’ve written commentary for it. The original work was amazing, too. I was shaken to my core! The tenderness, the kindness, the strength! Such rich expressions and sensitivity, surpassing even a live-action film! I was moved by the present and future of entertainment! Anime is truly incredible. I’ve already ordered Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga and can’t wait to ’look back’ on it.”

Hideo Kojima’s praise for anime is as impactful as the films themselves.

The Story Behind Look Back

The film follows two distinctly different girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, growing up in a small town. What begins as an ordinary circumstance evolves into a profound bond as they discover their shared passion for drawing manga. Fujimoto, who is renowned for his groundbreaking work on Chainsaw Man—the manga that has taken the world by storm and inspired a hit anime adaptation—collaborated with Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay. Oshiyama’s previous credits include notable pieces such as The First Slam Dunk and Mary and the Witch’s Flower, rounding out an impressive resume with work on classics from Studio Ghibli like The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron.

Kojima’s Broader Recommendations

In addition to his thoughts on Look Back, Kojima also shared a list of movie recommendations from the first half of 2024. His favorites range from All of Us Strangers to Furiosa and Past Lives, while he highlighted notable series such as True Detective: Night Country and Shogun. This eclectic mix underscores Kojima’s deep appreciation for storytelling across different formats.

Directing talent, Kiyotaka Oshiyama, brings vibrancy to Look Back.

The Future of Look Back

Currently, Look Back has hit theaters in Japan, but its release date for the US and UK audiences remains uncertain. As anime continues to permeate mainstream culture, the anticipation for international film releases is growing, creating a buzz among fans eager to experience Fujimoto’s masterpiece.

In the meantime, for those looking to keep up with 2024’s most talked-about anime, Cinephile Central has prepared a comprehensive guide detailing all the big releases to keep an eye on.

Conclusion

Kojima’s enthusiastic endorsement of Look Back reflects a growing trend within the anime industry where the division between live-action and animated storytelling becomes increasingly porous. As fans eagerly await further developments surrounding the film’s international release, one thing is for certain: Look Back has already left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who have seen it. For now, we can all eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this remarkable story.

The anime community waits in anticipation for more announcements on Look Back.