"Chainsaw Man" creator Tatsuki Fujimoto's acclaimed one-shot manga, "Look Back," captivated audiences with its animated film adaptation, proving that less than an hour can still hit hard. Last December, it was announced that a live-action film was in the works, helmed by none other than master director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Today (June 9), the official word dropped: the film is set to premiere on September 11! They also unveiled the dynamic duo starring as the leads: Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino and Maju Sakurada as Kyomoto. Plus, we'll see Fuuri Nanase and Rikka Okada portray the younger versions of Fujino and Kyomoto, respectively. To top it off, two teaser visuals and a special trailer have been released.
This live-action adaptation sees Hirokazu Kore-eda taking the reins as director, screenwriter, and editor – marking the very first live-action treatment of a Tatsuki Fujimoto work! The film spans 13 years, starting from elementary school, intricately charting Fujino and Kyomoto's life journeys against the backdrop of changing seasons.
To truly embody their roles as manga artists, Natsuki Deguchi and Maju Sakurada underwent about four months of drawing training before filming even began. This project also marks a reunion for the two actresses, who previously co-starred in the Netflix series "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House." Production involved an extended stay and extensive filming in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. Kore-eda shared his thoughts: "It's been four years since I first met Natsuki Deguchi, and her growth is truly astonishing. She can now express a much wider range of emotions while still retaining her original innocent charm. She's perfectly captured Fujino."
▼ Natsuki Deguchi as Fujino
Speaking about Maju Sakurada, Kore-eda revealed, "After reading the original manga, I happened to meet her, and I told her, 'If this ever becomes a film, I'm counting on you for Kyomoto.' So, I felt completely at ease entrusting Kyomoto to her."
▼ Maju Sakurada as Kyomoto
The younger Fujino will be played by Fuuri Nanase, while Rikka Okada takes on the role of young Kyomoto. Director Kore-eda said the moment he saw them at auditions, he knew: "It had to be these two." Coincidentally, both actresses were 11-year-old fifth graders during filming, and their birthdays are just one day apart!
This marks Fuuri Nanase's acting debut, with Kore-eda describing her as "optimistic, natural, and generous – essentially Fujino herself." As for Rikka Okada, the director chuckled, "She kept getting better and better, making me want to watch more, so I ended up adding quite a few scenes for her."
▼ Fuuri Nanase as young Fujino
▼ Rikka Okada as young Kyomoto
The live-action "Look Back" is slated for its official premiere on September 11, with a confirmed release in Taiwan as well. With Tatsuki Fujimoto's original work, Hirokazu Kore-eda's direction, and Natsuki Deguchi and Maju Sakurada leading the cast, this coming-of-age tale of creativity, dreams, and bonds is an absolute must-see for fans.
via： X@実写映画『ルックバック』公式