The film first premiered in Japan on June 28, where it quickly became popular, ranking #2 in ticket sales during its opening weekend and earning $1.4 million.
After its debut in Japan, the film was screened in North America by GKIDS in early October, bringing in around $688,253 during its U.S. opening weekend.
The story of Look Back centers on two young girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, who share a passion for drawing manga.
Fujino is an energetic fourth grader who contributes comic strips to her school newspaper, while Kyomoto is a shy classmate who often skips school.
Despite their differences, the two girls form a unique bond over their shared love of art. The film captures their journey of friendship, growth, and the challenges they face as aspiring manga artists.
Kiyotaka Oshiyama, known for his work on Flip Flappers, directed the movie and also contributed to the screenplay and character designs.
His Studio Durian produced the film, assembling a talented team including art director Kiyoshi Sameshima and color key artist Maya Kusumoto.
The film’s visuals and animation were complemented by a heartfelt score composed by haruka nakamura, with the theme song Light song performed by singer urara.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Anime Film Look Back Set for Global Premiere on Prime Video (Studio Durian)
The Look Back manga originally debuted on Shonen Jump+ in July 2021 and quickly gained widespread attention, amassing over 2.5 million views on its first day.
Its popularity continued to grow, leading to its English release by Viz Media and a print publication in September 2022.
The story’s emotional depth and compelling characters earned it several accolades, including the top spot in the 2022 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook and a nomination for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator behind Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, is celebrated for his unique storytelling style. His work often explores themes of struggle, friendship, and self-discovery.
The success of Look Back adds to Fujimoto’s growing reputation, further solidifying his status in the manga industry.
His other notable series, Chainsaw Man, has also achieved global recognition, winning multiple awards and spawning an anime adaptation.
In addition to Look Back, fans of Fujimoto have more to look forward to, with a new Chainsaw Man film in the works, adapting the Reze Arc of the manga.
This upcoming movie will continue expanding the Chainsaw Man franchise, building on the momentum of the 2022 anime series and engaging audiences worldwide.
A live stream celebrating the anniversary of the anime adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) revealed some exciting news, including a key visual and a teaser video.
It was announced that the second season of the anime will premiere on January 10, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. JST (9:00 a.m. EST) on Nippon TV’s FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT.
This season is set to air for two consecutive cours, meaning it will run for about six months. Fans can also look forward to streaming on Crunchyroll.
The first season of The Apothecary Diaries began airing in October 2023, starting with the first three episodes. It was also split into two cours, with the second part premiering on January 6.
Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired in Japan and offered an English dub, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The popularity of the first season has set high expectations for the upcoming second season. The anime is directed by Norihiro Naganuma, who is known for his work on The Ancient Magus’ Bride season one.
He oversaw the script for the first season, ensuring the adaptation stayed true to the source material. Akinori Fudesaka served as the assistant director, while Yukiko Nakatani handled character design.
The Apothecary Diaries Returns Season 2 Teaser Confirms January 2025 Premiere (TOHO animation STUDIO)
Sound direction was managed by Shoji Hata, and the musical score was a collaborative effort by Satoru Kousaki, Kevin Penkin, and Arisa Okehazama.
The Apothecary Diaries follows the story of Maomao, a seemingly ordinary girl raised in a small town by her father, who is an apothecary.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is kidnapped and sold into service in the rear palace, where the emperor’s consorts and serving women reside.
Despite her humble background, Maomao possesses a sharp mind and extensive knowledge of medicine, which she keeps hidden until she meets Jinshi, the head eunuch of the palace.
Jinshi quickly realizes Maomao’s intelligence and unique skills, leading him to appoint her as a lady-in-waiting to the emperor’s favorite consort.
Her main task is to taste the consort’s food for poison, which places her in a dangerous yet intriguing position within the palace.
The story explores themes of intrigue, power dynamics, and Maomao’s growth as she handles the complexities of her new life.
The light novel series was first serialized by Natsu Hyuga on the Shosetsuka ni Naro website in October 2011, gaining popularity before it was published in print by Shufunotomo starting in August 2014.
An ongoing manga adaptation by Nekokurage began in May 2017, with Square Enix Manga & Books releasing both the manga and the light novels in English.
This multi-platform success showcases the widespread appeal of The Apothecary Diaries and its engaging story.
