Look Back, the critically acclaimed animated film based on the one-shot manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, will soon be released in theaters and homes in the United States. Independent film distributor GKIDS will release the highly anticipated animated film in North American theaters this October.
The Wrap has announced the upcoming North American release of the animated film Look Back from the New York-based distributor. GKIDS will release Look Back in theaters on October 4, 2024In its original Japanese with English subtitles, the new trailer can be viewed below. A home media release will follow in the future. GKIDS is currently the English-language distributor for many of Studio Ghibli's best films, such as Kiki's Delivery Service and the recently released The Boy and the Heron. However, GKIDS is also handling the upcoming Shonen Jump anime Dandadan and has released other critically acclaimed anime films such as A Silent Voice and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.
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Look Back Gets New English Subtitled Trailer Ahead of GKIDS North American Release
Look Back is officially getting a theatrical release in North America after the indie anime film found critical and commercial success in Japan since its release in late June. However, the film's 60-minute runtime initially raised serious doubts about its ability to be released theatrically in the United States, as US cinemas typically require a film to hit a 70-minute threshold in order to be screened. While this disappointing news was reported when Look Back was screened for Anime Expo 2024, an Avex Pictures representative clarified that the film's production team was still looking into ways to potentially get a theatrical release in the United States. Now, that possibility has become a reality. Interestingly, no further information was provided about how GKIDS will compensate for the film's short runtime.
Tatsuki Fujimoto's 'Look Back' Receives Praise From Studio Ghibli Co-Founder Toshio Suzuki
Since its domestic release in June, Look Back has received praise from anime fans for its emotional story about two girls pursuing their dreams of becoming manga artists and how their rivalry shapes their futures. Fujimoto, who wrote the Shonen Jump one-shot in 2021, praised the anime adaptation by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, who wrote, directed, and designed the characters for the film at his animation studio. Toshio Suzuki, president and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, also praised Look Back, as did renowned Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara.
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Look Back director speaks out against “fake” designs of AI art
The critical and commercial success of Look Back comes at a time when many in the anime industry are concerned about the negative impact that AI-based art and animation will have on their livelihoods, which has not gone unnoticed by the film's director. While Oshiyama did not outright reject AI art in an interview in August, he believes the controversial technology is incapable of portraying an artist's raw emotions in its crafted designs.
“As it becomes easier to create beautiful images with AI, I think human-drawn lines still have a place,” Oshiyama said. “Even if AI imitates humans and recreates rough sketches, it’s just a design. It’s a fake. The lines have meaning because they were drawn by humans. This may be the last time we can do this, but it has value. It also involves praising the creators.”
Source: GKIDS, The Wrap