by Alex Billington
July 15, 2026
Source: YouTube
“I want to go to art college.” K2 Pictures in Japan has revealed another new teaser trailer for Look Back, Koreeda’s live-action version of the beloved manga and anime of the same name. This charming new film opens first in Japanese cinemas starting in September before a US release later this year. The coming-of-age story follows two Japanese girls passionately pursuing their dreams of becoming manga artists. Originally published on Shonen Jump+ in 2021, the manga sparked buzz upon its initial release in Japan, recording 2.5 million views on its first day. Kore-eda’s adaptation of Look Back comes after the 2024 animated movie adaptation of the same name, which was the feature directorial debut of director Kiyotaka Oshiyama (view the trailers here). The story follows two manga artists, the brash Fujino and the reclusive Kyomoto, who meet & develop a close bond over making their own manga. This live-action version stars Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino and Aju Makita as Kyomoto; with Furi Nanase & Rokka Okada. The film was shot in Nikaho City in northern Japan. The first teaser trailer was released last month and this second one includes a few more glimpses – including a lovely shot of them in the grass, and plenty of them working on their drawings.
Here’s the second teaser trailer (+ new posters) for Hirokazu Koreeda’s film Look Back, from YouTube:
You can rewatch the initial teaser trailer for Hirokazu Koreeda’s Look Back right here for that first look.
The story follows Fujino (藤野), a popular and outgoing student, and Kyomoto (京本, Kyōmoto), a shut-in with severe social anxiety, who bond over their shared love of creating manga. Kyomoto idolises Fujino for her work drawing manga for their elementary school’s newspaper, wishing to befriend her, however Fujino initially resents Kyomoto’s natural artistic talents. The pair grow close through their shared love, with the work following their bond as they grow into adulthood. Look Back, also known as ルックバック in Japanese, is written and directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, director of many other great films including Maborosi, Without Memory, After Life, Distance, Nobody Knows, Still Walking, Air Doll, Like Father Like Son, Our Little Sister, After the Storm, The Third Murder, the Palme d’Or winner Shoplifters, The Truth, Broker, Monster, and this year’s Sheep in the Box as well. Based on the manga “Look Back” created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Produced by Daiju Koide. Opening in Japan in September. GKids will debut Koreeda’s Look Back film in US theaters sometime later in 2026. Stay tuned for more. Who’s into it?
