The 48th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes ceremony, held on March 14, 2025, saw both the animated film Look Back and the live-action Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General recognized for their excellence in filmmaking. While Look Back clinched the Best Animated Film award, Kingdom 4 garnered multiple awards, showcasing the diverse talent and achievements within the Japanese film industry.
‘Look Back’ Takes Home Best Animated Film
Look Back, an anime film directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, earned the prestigious Best Animated Film award, triumphing over other strong contenders in the category, including Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram, and Give It All. The film also received the Creative Contribution award for its key and in-between animation staff, highlighting the technical artistry and dedication involved in its production.
Accolades for ‘Look Back’ Prior to Japan Academy Film Prize:
- Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF): Animation of the Year award
- Niigata International Animation Film Festival: Kōji Fukiya Award for Kiyotaka Oshiyama (director/animator), Toshiyuki Inoue (animator), and Eriko Kimura (sound director).
- Rakuten Kobo E-book Awards: First place
- Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga Is Amazing!): Ranked #1 in the 2022 edition
- Fujimoto Awards: Special Award for Director, producer and animator Kiyotaka Oshiyama and Ryo Oyama, producer and in charge of planning.
‘Kingdom 4’ Earns Five Awards, Including Best Supporting Actor
Despite losing the Picture of the Year award to A Samurai in Time, Kingdom: Taishogun no Kikan (Return of the General), the fourth live-action film in the Kingdom series, secured five awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in various aspects of the film’s production.
‘Kingdom 4’s’ Wins at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prizes:
- Best Supporting Actor: Takao Osawa, for his portrayal of Ō Ki/Wang Qi.
- Best Cinematography: Akira Sako.
- Best Lighting: Hiroyuki Kase.
- Best Sound Recording: Kazushiko Yokono.
- Special Award: For the film’s VFX team.
Takao Osawa Reflects on Seven Years in the ‘Kingdom’ Series
Takao Osawa, who won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Qin general Ou Ki, reflected on his seven years working on the Kingdom series. He acknowledged the support of the lead actor, Kento Yamazaki, the staff, and the audience. Osawa stated that the award was not just for him but for everyone who supported him throughout his journey with the franchise.
Other Notable Awards
- Best Music: Hiroko Sebu for Let’s Go Karaoke!
- Best Production Design: Masumi Miura for the live-action Cells at Work! film.
- Best New Actor:
- Rihito Itagaki (Hakkenden, Cells at Work!, Onmyōji Zero)
- Asuka Saitō (Oshi no Ko -The Final Act-)
- Jun Saito (Let’s Go Karaoke!)
- Anna Yamada (Golden Kamuy, Shōtai)
- Creative Contribution Award: Golden Kamuy‘s production designers.
- Special Awards: The late Doraemon voice actresses Noriko Ohara and Nobuyo Ōyama, and the late actor Toshiyuki Nishida.
Eligibility and Ceremony Details
Movies that opened in Japan between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, were eligible for consideration. The 48th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony took place at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo. Last year, Godzilla Minus One won Picture of the Year, and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron won Best Animated Film.
