Look Back Live-Action Movie Confirmed for 2026 with Award-Winning Director

Acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is helming a live-action film adaptation of the manga “Look Back.” The project was announced this week. Filming has already concluded in Akita Prefecture, Japan. The movie is scheduled for a global release in 2026.

This adaptation brings together two giants of Japanese storytelling. Kore-eda, a Palme d’Or winner, is known for his poignant human dramas. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original one-shot manga is a deeply emotional story about art and friendship.

From Manga Page to Silver Screen: A Director’s Vision

The news broke at the end of the latest “Chainsaw Man” manga chapter. It revealed Kore-eda’s involvement in the “Look Back” project. According to Deadline, the director discovered the manga by chance at a train station. He was captivated by the cover and read it in one night.

Kore-eda described feeling the author’s “desperate resolve” in the work. He compared its personal significance to his own film, “Nobody Knows.” The live-action film has already completed principal photography. Post-production work is now underway for the 2026 premiere.

Fujimoto, the manga’s creator, expressed sheer excitement about the collaboration. He is a known admirer of Kore-eda’s previous film, “Our Little Sister.” The author stated he has “nothing more to say” and is eagerly anticipating the result.

Elevating a Modern Classic’s Legacy

This move signals a growing trend of premium live-action adaptations for revered manga. Kore-eda’s signature style focuses on subtle, powerful human connections. This makes him a uniquely fitting choice for Fujimoto’s intimate story. The project elevates “Look Back” beyond the anime and manga spheres.

It introduces the story to a broader, prestige-film audience. Fans of both the director and the manga are anticipating a thoughtful interpretation. The film’s success could pave the way for similar high-caliber adaptations. It blends cinematic artistry with popular narrative source material.

The “Look Back” live-action movie is poised to be a major cinematic event in 2026. With Hirokazu Kore-eda’s direction, it promises a profound new take on a beloved story. This collaboration highlights the powerful crossover potential between manga and international art-house cinema.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: When will the Look Back live-action movie be released?

The film is currently slated for release in 2026. Post-production is currently underway following the completion of filming.

Q2: Why is director Hirokazu Kore-eda a significant choice?

Kore-eda is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning director known for sensitive human dramas. His artistic vision is considered a perfect match for the manga’s emotional and character-driven story.

Q3: Has Look Back been adapted before?

Yes. A critically acclaimed anime film adaptation was released in 2024. The new live-action version is a separate project by a different creative team.

Q4: Who is creating the live-action Look Back movie?

The film is being directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and is based on the original manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The production company behind the project has not been fully detailed in initial reports.

Q5: What is the manga Look Back about?

It is a one-shot manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. The story follows two girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, and their complex, intertwined journey through manga creation and life.