Gkids has acquired the U.S., Canadian, U.K. and Ireland distribution rights to Hirokazu Kore-eda’s new feature “Look Back.”
Adapted by Kore-eda, the project marks the first live-action version of Fujimoto Tatsuki’s coming-of-age story about two young women pursuing their dreams of becoming manga artists. Kore-eda is also directing and editing the film.
The film was shot in Nikaho City in northern Japan and is currently in post-production. Daiju Koide is producing under his own K2 Pictures banner, which will distribute the film in Japan. The film is set for a 2026 theatrical release in Japan, with a U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland theatrical release to follow.
Kore-eda said he was inspired to tell the story on a return trip from Kyoto to Tokyo. “I was drawn to a figure’s back on the cover of a book in a bookstore at Shinagawa Station. Without thinking, I picked a copy up — that was my first encounter with ‘Look Back,'” he said in a statement. “That night, I read it in one sitting. Though manga and film are different genres, as a fellow creator, I felt the desperate resolve behind this work. I could feel, almost painfully, that Mr. Fujimoto simply couldn’t move forward without creating this piece. For me, Nobody Knows was that kind of work.”
Gkids VP of distribution Chance Huskey added: “We are thrilled to bring ‘Look Back’ to audiences in North America, the U.K. and Ireland. Hirokazu Kore-eda is a master storyteller whose work continues to define contemporary world cinema, while Tatsuki Fujimoto has emerged as one of the most impactful mangaka’s of the past decade. As Gkids expands further into live action, we’re seeking out films and creators that reflect the artistry, emotional intelligence, and global perspective that have always been at the heart of Gkids. ‘Look Back’ is a perfect expression of that vision and we are honored to be working with one of our favorite filmmakers taking on this incredible story.”
Daiju Koide is on board as a producer. He said, “When I first met the team at Gkids, what struck me most was, above all, their deep respect for the original work ‘Look Back’ and for Tatsuki Fujimoto. I was also moved by their admiration for Director Kore-eda and for all the creators and staff involved in this project; the more we spoke, the more I could feel their growing passion for the film. I am truly delighted that, through Gkids, this work will be released in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. We will continue to devote ourselves fully to completing the film, and I hope you will look forward to it.”
First published on Shonen Jump+ in 2021, the manga sparked buzz upon its release in Japan, recording 2.5 million views on its first day and climbing to over 4 million views in two days. The manga has sold over 900,000 copies domestically and has been published in 37 countries worldwide with more than 750,000 copies sold internationally. It went on to receive numerous awards and nominations, including a nomination at the 2023 Eisner Awards.
The acquisition of “Look Back” marks the next contemporary live-action title to be acquired by animation specialist Gkids, following this year’s “Kokuho.” Later this year, Gkids will also release Takashi Yamazaki’s upcoming “Godzilla Minus Zero.”
The deal for “Look Back” was negotiated by Huskey at Gkids and Eva Diederix at Goodfellas. Goodfellas is representing film sales for all available international territories outside Asia.
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