The anime film adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga, “Look Back,” continues to garner recognition, with its director and producers receiving the esteemed Fujimoto Award. This special award celebrates their outstanding contributions to the film, acknowledging its popularity and artistic merit.
Oshiyama and Oyama Receive Special Recognition
Director and producer Kiyotaka Oshiyama, alongside producer and planner Ryo Oyama, were named as the recipients of this year’s special award. The Eiga Engeki Bunka Kyokai (Film Theater Culture Association) in Japan made the announcement on Monday, highlighting the duo’s exceptional work in bringing Fujimoto’s poignant story to the screen.
The Fujimoto Award: A Legacy of Honoring Excellence
Named in honor of Sanezumi Fujimoto, a legendary producer known for the “Shacho” and “Wakadaisho” film series, the Fujimoto Awards recognize producers who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in creating films that resonate with audiences. The award highlights those who have significantly contributed to the film industry through their popular and entertaining works.
“Look Back’s” Journey to Critical Acclaim
“Look Back” has enjoyed considerable success since its release, both domestically and internationally. The film opened in Japanese theaters in June 2024, ranking second in ticket sales during its opening weekend but securing the top spot in weekend earnings. Within its first three days, the film sold 135,000 tickets and grossed ¥227 million (approximately $1.49 million USD at the time).
GKIDS, a North American film distributor specializing in animated films, screened “Look Back” in select US cities in October 2024 before a wider release. The film grossed $688,253 in its opening weekend in the U.S., further demonstrating its appeal to audiences outside of Japan.
A Story Resonating with Audiences
“Look Back” tells the story of Fujino, a fourth-grader who creates four-panel comics for her school newspaper. The film explores themes of friendship, artistic growth, and the challenges of pursuing creative dreams. Yūmi Kawai voices Fujino, while Mizuki Yoshida also stars in the film.
Other Accolades for “Look Back”
The Fujimoto Award is just one of several honors that “Look Back” has received.
- Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF): The film was named Animation of the Year in the film category at this year’s TAAF.
- Niigata International Animation Film Festival: Oshiyama, animator Toshiyuki Inoue, and sound director Eriko Kimura jointly won the Kōji Fukiya Award at this year’s festival.
- Japan Academy Film Prizes: The film is nominated for the Excellent Animation award at the upcoming 48th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes.
Frieren and Look Back win 2025 Anime of the Year
Look Back and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End both won the 2025 Anime of the Year awards. The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) made the announcement January 31, 2025.
The awards are given to the most outstanding anime works or individuals from all works that were screened, broadcasted or streamed in the fiscal year 2024.
Selection Process
The selection process begins with a vote by anime fans to select the 100 best works (20 theatrical films and 80 TV series). From those 100 works, “Best Work” (Feature film and TV series categories) and “Individual Award” awards were voted on by a wide range of animation industry professionals, including producers, creators, other media and stores handling anime merchandise. Additionally, the “Anime Fan Award” was selected by voting by the general users.
Award Details
The “Best Work” award in the feature film category went to Look Back, an anime film adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s (Chainsaw Man) coming-of-age manga of the same name.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End won the “Best Work” award in the TV series category.
The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe received the “Anime Fan Award” from a total of 21,316 votes cast by fans.
Why “Look Back” Resonates
The success of “Look Back” can be attributed to several factors:
- Source Material: Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga is highly regarded for its compelling story, relatable characters, and emotional depth.
- Adaptation: Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s direction and adaptation of the manga have been praised for capturing the essence of the source material while adding a unique cinematic vision.
- Themes: The film explores universal themes of creativity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up, which resonate with a wide audience.
- Animation: The animation quality and art style of the film have been lauded for their beauty and expressiveness.
The Impact of Tatsuki Fujimoto
Tatsuki Fujimoto is one of the most influential and celebrated manga artists working today. His previous work, “Chainsaw Man,” has achieved global popularity, with both the manga and anime adaptations receiving widespread acclaim. Fujimoto’s unique storytelling style, characterized by dark humor, emotional depth, and unpredictable plot twists, has earned him a dedicated following.
“Look Back” further solidifies Fujimoto’s reputation as a master storyteller. The manga’s success paved the way for the anime adaptation, and the film’s positive reception has only increased interest in Fujimoto’s work.
Oshiyama’s Vision
Kiyotaka Oshiyama brought “Look Back” to life with vision and dedication. Oshiyama, also an accomplished animator, has worked on numerous well-known anime series. His direction of “Look Back” demonstrates his talent for visual storytelling and his ability to translate complex emotions onto the screen.
The Future of “Look Back”
With its numerous awards and nominations, “Look Back” has established itself as a significant work in the anime landscape. The film’s success is a testament to the talent of its creators and the enduring power of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s story.
Continued Recognition
As the film continues to be recognized at various award ceremonies, it is likely to gain even more attention from audiences worldwide. Its themes and artistic merit ensure that it will remain a relevant and impactful work for years to come.
