Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Look Back’ Brings Manga Friendship Story to Venice 2026

Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is heading to the 83rd Venice Film Festival with ‘Look Back’, a live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga that marks a significant shift for the celebrated director.

The film represents new creative territory for Kore-eda, whose emotionally charged dramas like ‘Shoplifters’, ‘Like Father, Like Son’ and ‘Nobody Knows’ have earned him international recognition. It’s also his first live-action adaptation of work by Fujimoto, the creator behind the blockbuster ‘Chainsaw Man’.

Kore-eda stumbled upon Fujimoto’s 2021 one-shot manga during the pandemic, and the story stayed with him. He eventually decided to adapt it as a tribute to the author, recognizing that bringing the work to the screen was the best way to express his gratitude.

The film centers on two schoolgirls Ayumu Fujino and Kyomoto whose shared passion for drawing manga forms the backbone of their relationship. What begins as a creative connection evolves into a close friendship, but as they mature, their lives diverge. The narrative explores how ambition, artistic identity, loss and the bonds of creative partnerships can transform a person’s life.

True to his signature style, Kore-eda mines the material for emotional authenticity rather than spectacle. He zeroes in on the nuances of the girls’ relationship and their evolution as artists, using their drawing practice as a lens to examine the thrill of creation, competitive pressure and the value of having a kindred creative spirit.

The sound of pen on paper becomes a storytelling device itself, echoing how the characters grow as artists and how their work deepens over time.

The cast underwent rigorous training in manga illustration, with their actual artwork woven into the film. Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita, Furi Nanase and Rokka Okada all learned the craft to bring authenticity to their roles a level of detail that reflects Kore-eda’s commitment to honoring Fujimoto’s original vision.

The live-action adaptation arrives after an acclaimed animated film version debuted in 2024, with Kore-eda taking the material in an entirely different direction.

‘Look Back’ premiered at Venice on September 7 and is in the running for the Golden Lion, competing against films from major international filmmakers. The festival runs through September 12, 2026.

The film is Kore-eda’s second major festival entry this year, following his presentation of ‘Sheep in the Box’ at Cannes earlier in 2026.

With ‘Look Back’, Kore-eda weaves together his longtime fascination with human connection and a story rooted in artistic ambition, proving that whether examining family bonds or creative partnerships, his work remains fundamentally about the quiet emotional currents that shape who we become.