I went to see the much talked about movie “Look Back!”, which is based on a work by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of the popular manga “Chainsaw Man” . I would like to explain a culture that is difficult to understand unless you have lived in Japan for a long time.
Below, I will talk about the Japanese culture and attention to detail seen in the movie. The synopsis is also included, so if you have not seen the movie, please be careful of spoilers. Also, since the Japanese was translated into English using AI, there may be some strange expressions, so please understand
School Newspaper in Elementary School
The concept of an elementary school newspaper is quite nostalgic. I wonder if they still exist today; they might have transitioned to sharing through websites or apps. However, the idea of students with good drawing skills contributing four-panel comics to a school newspaper is something that feels uniquely Japanese. This is a cultural trait of Japan and it may not be something easily understood by overseas audiences. Many may not realize that elementary school students are sharing school news in the form of a newspaper.
Childhood Setbacks
The protagonist, Fujino, is responsible for drawing four-panel comics for the school newspaper. Fujino’s comics are very popular, and he is quite proud of his work. One day, due to a teacher’s request, Fujino is asked to give his spot for the comic section to Kyomoto, a student who is often absent from school. Later, when Fujino sees Kyomoto’s work, he is shocked by the superior quality of Kyomoto’s drawings.
After being shocked by Kyomoto’s art, Fujino feels frustrated and begins studying the basics of drawing in order to improve. He continues drawing to the point that his family starts to worry about him. However, Kyomoto also keeps improving, and Fujino eventually feels defeated and stops drawing comics. This is likely Fujino’s first experience with failure.
Have you ever had an experience where, despite putting in a lot of effort and receiving recognition, you still realized that someone else was better? Or did you ever find yourself compared to others or labeled when you were in elementary school? Watching this movie made me reflect on those past experiences.
Overcoming Setbacks
Fujino, who initially thought he could never surpass Kyomoto’s drawing ability, is able to overcome his setback when Kyomoto reveals that he is a fan of Fujino’s work. Kyomoto’s respect for Fujino helps Fujino regain his confidence. He realizes that while Kyomoto may be a better artist, Fujino has a unique skill in storytelling through manga. After this realization, the two become friends and start drawing together.
Have you ever overcome a setback? Even when you feel inferior, perhaps by seeing your strengths from a different perspective, you can overcome failure by focusing on what you excel at. This is one of the messages I took away from the movie. However, the movie also conveys the message that not every situation can be perfectly resolved, and you must still push forward despite the challenges.
Homage to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Style
The Genius vs. the Hard Worker
The story of comparing a genius with a hard worker is a common theme in Japanese manga. The narrative often shows the hard worker, who gains confidence through effort, growing and improving, contrasted with the genius, who possesses an innate talent that the hard worker cannot reach. Interestingly, in many cases, even the genius is shown to have put in immense effort. In Look Back, Fujino represents the hard worker, while Kyomoto is positioned as the genius.
One of my favorite mangas that explores this “genius vs. hard worker” theme is Piano no Mori, which depicts a child’s growth alongside their development in piano playing. It’s a fascinating story, and I highly recommend it.
Kyoto Animation Incident
Look Back has been said to subtly reference the Kyoto Animation incident with the character of Kyomoto. Perhaps Tatsuki Fujimoto, given his background, had personal thoughts or feelings about this event.
Finding Fun in the Homages
In addition to the above, there are various other references, such as Fujino -> Tatsuki Fujimoto, Chainsaw Man -> Shark Man, and more. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s works often include numerous elements from his other creations. It’s enjoyable to spot these connections within his works, so I encourage viewers to look for them while watching.
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