Fujimoto - Blog Posts

oneforblu

7 months ago

i watched look back (spoilers)

got back from the theaters not long ago and immediately felt like i had to unload all my feelings about this movie. the manga itself was so beautiful but somehow, the movie just made each and every moment so much more beautiful.

from the silly moments that made me laugh to the heartwrenching ones that made me cry, this movie was full of so much detail and care. you could feel the effort from each scene. i can't believe this movie even exists; it's just that good.

the story of two young girls with a passion for art coming together to create manga. it's a simple concept, but fujimoto's story is one to remember. fujino is used to the "talented artist" role in 4th grade, only for all of that to crumble when she realizes she isn't as talented as she was made out to be. but going to drop off kyomoto's diploma begins an unlikely friendship.

the scene of fujino dancing in the rain and the montage of the two girls drawing together made me feel so happy. these two girls became so close, bonding over their love of drawing manga. not only did they have someone to share their love of art with, but the manga they created led them to success. when kyomoto thanked fujino for getting her out of that house, i could not stop crying at that point of the movie. It captured the youthful essence so perfectly. i felt so much joy watching these two draw their way through the years. it almost made me forget what was coming up next.

the friendship is captured so well, and so is the grief that fujino feels after losing kyomoto. this scene is already heartbreaking, but the voice acting takes it to another level. i was trying to hold it together, but when fujino blamed herself for what happended, i was a wreck. in her eyes, she would have been safe if kyomoto never stepped out that day. watching these moments on screen was so much more painful than reading them. i could not believe how well it was done.

but before i could cry anymore, it cuts to young kyomoto and her life in the alternate world where she meets fujino again. these moments were so comforting. in another world, they were both alive and well and could even come together to draw. i like to imagine that in every possible timeline where these two meet, they will create a friendship founded on their love of art and draw for the rest of their lives.

then why do you draw, fujino?

i genuinely have no words to describe how i felt at this moment. the moments of kyomoto happily reading their manga, the two drawing and laughing together. the reason for going back to drawing manga was because fujino met kyomoto. if it were not for that one day after their 6th grade graduation, fujino would not be where she is now. it doesn't matter in what timeline or universe these two are in; if fujino were to meet kyomoto, they would come together and draw.

this movie brought fujimoto's story to life in the most incredible and heartfelt way, and it was such an experience to watch on screen. even as i write this, i'm tearing up. this story is just so impactful. it's not a happy ending, nor is it a sad one. it's a part of life to love so much, to lose some, and to keep on going. look back is just such a moving piece of work, and i have said it so many times, but this movie truly outdid itself.

i wish i could see this in theaters again. if you love the manga, i highly recommend watching it. it's so beautiful.