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Jun 14, 7:32 AM
#1

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Dec 2021
2880
Well this definitely had that Fujimoto's feel to it. I've only read Chainsaw Man and Goodbye Eri, so I was expecting something like one of the two, mainly leaning towards Goodbye, Eri. And in a way it is, but not exactly—they're more different than you might think. I loved everything about it, from the art and story to the characters. Everything about this movie was amazing. So glad I was visiting France so I could go to this whole special premiere thing. Japan releases in a couple of weeks and the west will get it who knows when...

For some context, Fujino is an arrogant fourth-grader who thinks she's the best artist ever. That's until someone named Kyomoto, who's too socially anxious to attend school, starts submitting work to the school newspaper and turns out to be on another level entirely. At first, it seems like a rivalry story where the winner takes all, but I liked how their art comparison shows that both are missing something. Fujino shows people, dialogue, and plot, while Kyomoto shows details and setting.

The second half of the movie basically retells the first half in a condensed form, showing the earlier symbolism but focusing on Kyomoto. And as a result of their childhood collaborations, Fujino, who has given up manga to focus on karate, saves Kyomoto's life using her karate skills to prevent a massacre. For those thinking this is a feel-good movie, it's not. Considering the madman of a creator that's behind it, there's a lot of violence, blood, and even a school massacre. Few anime touch on such sensitive topics, but I loved how this story handled it.

Besides the story and plot, the art direction of this movie was phenomenal. It's unlike anything I've seen before. I want to read the one-shot later because I think they faithfully adapted Fujimoto's art style and brought it to life perfectly. Take notes MAPPA. I'm just kidding, but there were production issues, though nothing major affected the final product from what I could see.

This is easily one of the best movies I've watched in a while, not just in anime. It doesn't feel like anime anymore. it feels like a live-action movie, and that's what I love about this medium. Overall, a beautiful story, and you'll need tissues because it will make you cry. A solid 9/10, and I will definitely rewatch it when it comes to streaming. After all, looking back is the only way we can move forward.
IzanaSolosJun 14, 7:51 AM


Jun 29, 5:15 AM
#2

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Sep 2013
274
Just watched it, and honestly I’m impressed. This film exceeded my expectations in every aspect, making me want to re-read the one-shot again.

The best part is definitely OSTs which took the atmosphere to the next level. Also, there are some nice references of CSM and Goodbye Eri, so really appreciate that.

Thank you, Oshiyama. You nailed it!
Gear707Jun 29, 5:23 AM
Jun 29, 6:48 PM
#3
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Jul 2022
3
It was a faithful adaptation of the original work, and I was moved by how Tatsuki Fujimoto's drawings seemed to move. The voice actors were also fantastic.
Jun 30, 12:11 AM
#4

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Feb 2016
132
Where are you guys getting to watch this? I am trying to search whole internet and even local theaters, but can't find anything
Jun 30, 12:18 AM
#5
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Jan 2021
279
Reply to MDTURZA
Where are you guys getting to watch this? I am trying to search whole internet and even local theaters, but can't find anything
@MDTURZA in Japan probably
TO EXCEL IS TO FAIL
Jun 30, 10:58 AM
#6

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Mar 2008
157
Reply to MDTURZA
Where are you guys getting to watch this? I am trying to search whole internet and even local theaters, but can't find anything
@MDTURZA It's in theaters in Japan.

Really really good. Stunning animation and music. The short runtime works in its favor. Wrecked me.
Jun 30, 12:08 PM
#7
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Apr 2020
132
so good man, gorgeous adaptation

Jul 1, 9:41 AM
#8

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Jul 2020
639
When I saw it at the cinema it came with the entire storyboard for the film, which was interestingly enough made to be a manga. So essentially there are two different manga versions of Look Back now, the original and the storyboard version. Of course the storyboard is a bit rougher but still pretty damn good. It was fun to compare the three versions as well. Such a good film so hopefully it gets a proper international release as well.
Jul 4, 10:02 PM
#9
Lucky★supporter

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Mar 2021
1835
Reply to InfinityDude88
When I saw it at the cinema it came with the entire storyboard for the film, which was interestingly enough made to be a manga. So essentially there are two different manga versions of Look Back now, the original and the storyboard version. Of course the storyboard is a bit rougher but still pretty damn good. It was fun to compare the three versions as well. Such a good film so hopefully it gets a proper international release as well.
@InfinityDude88

Although it is marked as a "storyboard," the bonus is the "name" of Tatsuki Fujimoto's original manga. A "name" is a "rough sketch" of the frame layout, camera angles, dialogue, facial expressions, etc., drawn on a separate sheet of paper before the manga is drawn on the manuscript paper. Therefore, it is natural that the drawings are rougher than the manga to be published.

Not surprisingly, some people went to see the movie for this privilege. Those who bought advance tickets probably received an additional bookmark.

Jul 5, 2:59 AM

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Jul 2020
639
Reply to kihel
@InfinityDude88

Although it is marked as a "storyboard," the bonus is the "name" of Tatsuki Fujimoto's original manga. A "name" is a "rough sketch" of the frame layout, camera angles, dialogue, facial expressions, etc., drawn on a separate sheet of paper before the manga is drawn on the manuscript paper. Therefore, it is natural that the drawings are rougher than the manga to be published.

Not surprisingly, some people went to see the movie for this privilege. Those who bought advance tickets probably received an additional bookmark.
@kihel Ah ok thanks for the information. I didn't research it at all so I was just going by what I saw. Makes a lot more sense this way.
Jul 8, 2:22 AM
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Feb 2021
7
frozenpandaman said:
@MDTURZA It's in theaters in Japan.

Really really good. Stunning animation and music. The short runtime works in its favor. Wrecked me.

do you know if and when it will be coming to north american theaters?
Jul 13, 4:50 AM

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Mar 2013
1879
Anime Expo said it wouldn't be released in theaters because of it's length.
added the fourth most popular anime onto this site
Jul 14, 2:36 PM
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May 2018
774
I got to see this at the Japan Society in NYC, absolutely amazing film. I went in completely blind and it didn't disappoint.
Jul 20, 7:43 AM

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Feb 2017
795
Great film. They should make more anime films based on one-shots
Jul 31, 2:56 AM
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Jun 2023
7
Damn this shit hurts on the personal level
Jul 31, 5:15 AM

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Dec 2022
874
Just recently watched this movie in CGV cinemas and dang not only did it surpass my expectations but exceeded my urge of wanting to re-read the manga. Also, have to respect some csm references (in a form of Shark Kick) and even a Sayonara Eri explosion reference in a movie within the movie.

Loved the usage of OST and rlly loved the end credits song (Light Song) a lot. I actually kind of teared towards near end of the movie cause of a certain tragedy. After Look Back I would like to see a Sayonara Eri movie adaptation in the future.

All in all, not much to say but I'll say this is a spectacular and great near masterpiece movie.

9/10

Jul 31, 7:08 AM

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Aug 2013
215
it sure is Fujimoto's work

English is my second language
Jul 31, 2:15 PM

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Oct 2017
27153
Fujimoto makes some incredible stuff.
Aug 18, 10:05 AM

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Nov 2013
281
I went to my local cinema completely blind, and what can I say


GethemalotNov 13, 10:59 PM
Aug 28, 5:37 AM

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Oct 2021
1297
Read the source almost 2 years ago. This film really elevated the source and the animation, voice-acting, and OST was well done! 9/10

If ever Sayonara Eri also gets animated into a film, I will be there watching it in my local cinema.
Aug 31, 12:00 AM
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Jan 2020
1988
Goodbye Eri gotta be next
Aug 31, 12:21 AM

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Nov 2019
103
There were three who came to the theaters at our place to go watch it, and that includes me, really surprised at how this is poorly advertised at my place and only few people knew of it.

Watching it fully blind without a hint of spoilers from the internet sure did payed off. Was bawling my eyes out when the credits rolled.

Can't wait for Goodbye, Eri. I've read that one and its absolute cinema as well.
Sep 9, 8:34 AM

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Feb 2008
494
I was at my doctor’s office and checked to see what the new show times for this week were (AEON Cinema changes their screening times on Mondays). I found I couldn’t make it to the 5:30 screening and it’s only on screen once in Yamagata at a time when I’m at work. So it was off to tonight’s 8:30 screening in town since it was my last chance to see it in theatres.

I’m glad I was able to catch this one on the big screen. It’s a charming little movie that had a gut punch in it when I heard the art university was in Yamagata city (it’s a real place btw). I could relate to the movie through it’s setting (I have a couple of classes I teach in a small town similar in size and with a similar climate as the one shown in the film). I chuckled when Fujino grumbled about only spending ¥5000 out of the ¥100,000 she had taken with her for their trip into town.

All in all, the artwork was wonderful. To me, the colour palette was muted and worked well to give the film both its warmth and its tension. The framing and perspective of some shots was superb. I found the music to be a bit too loud in spots though.

BTW: The token of appreciation handout at this stage of the game was a special edition book cover for the manga.
Sep 10, 6:59 AM

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Sep 2020
68
Reply to InfinityDude88
When I saw it at the cinema it came with the entire storyboard for the film, which was interestingly enough made to be a manga. So essentially there are two different manga versions of Look Back now, the original and the storyboard version. Of course the storyboard is a bit rougher but still pretty damn good. It was fun to compare the three versions as well. Such a good film so hopefully it gets a proper international release as well.
@InfinityDude88 oof, I am kinda jealous, only got a themed book jacket. Which cinema did you go to? I went to a toho cinema, maybe I got none because I went to see it at such a late date...
Sep 11, 12:58 AM

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Jul 2020
639
Reply to SDA0
@InfinityDude88 oof, I am kinda jealous, only got a themed book jacket. Which cinema did you go to? I went to a toho cinema, maybe I got none because I went to see it at such a late date...
@SDA0 yeah the jacket you got is intended for the book I got. They changed the giveaway item fairly recently to encourage people to go a second time.
Sep 12, 1:12 AM

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Jan 2017
2884
The time-travel / timeline aspect came out of nowhere, had me baffled for a bit. I don't actually know what I've seen even after coming out of the cinema lmao
Sep 12, 2:38 AM

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Apr 2012
21455
Reply to FragmantLemon
The time-travel / timeline aspect came out of nowhere, had me baffled for a bit. I don't actually know what I've seen even after coming out of the cinema lmao
@FragmantLemon ? What are you talking about? There is no time travel in this story.
Sep 12, 6:58 AM

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Jan 2017
2884
Reply to RobertBobert
@FragmantLemon ? What are you talking about? There is no time travel in this story.
@RobertBobert wdym none, Fujino's half-torn 4koma strip went to a different timeline and allowed Fujimoto to live (original timeline has her seeing the full strip which as we see in most of the movie, she followed Fujino and later died in the university attack)

The subtle hint was the 1st Fujino strip we saw, about the lovers reincarnation. But goddamn that is a stretch
Sep 12, 7:07 AM

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Apr 2012
21455
Reply to FragmantLemon
@RobertBobert wdym none, Fujino's half-torn 4koma strip went to a different timeline and allowed Fujimoto to live (original timeline has her seeing the full strip which as we see in most of the movie, she followed Fujino and later died in the university attack)

The subtle hint was the 1st Fujino strip we saw, about the lovers reincarnation. But goddamn that is a stretch
@FragmantLemon This does not yet mean time travel. She just sees their comic and imagines what would happen if she could actually prevent the attack. This was not a literal reincarnation or time travel.

Sep 12, 7:38 AM

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Jan 2017
2884
Reply to RobertBobert
@FragmantLemon This does not yet mean time travel. She just sees their comic and imagines what would happen if she could actually prevent the attack. This was not a literal reincarnation or time travel.

@RobertBobert It's not any of those but the multiple timeline aspect of time-travel, the plot doesn't match up otherwise.

It's overall a very open-ended ending up to interpretation but I've also read the oneshot after getting home from the cinema. The events that happen in the 2nd half of the movie / manga doesn't hold up if we're bound by conventional laws
Sep 12, 7:46 AM

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Apr 2012
21455
Reply to FragmantLemon
@RobertBobert It's not any of those but the multiple timeline aspect of time-travel, the plot doesn't match up otherwise.

It's overall a very open-ended ending up to interpretation but I've also read the oneshot after getting home from the cinema. The events that happen in the 2nd half of the movie / manga doesn't hold up if we're bound by conventional laws
@FragmantLemon Well, this is a pretty straightforward reflection from an experienced manga artist on their career and experience in the industry. No more and no less. I don't quite understand why you want so badly to find the science fiction in this. Moreover, a trope where a character fantasizes about what a missed happy future might look like after a tragic moment is not something new in fiction.
Sep 14, 7:11 AM
孔真・コウマコト

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Jun 2017
7869
Just got back home after watching this short film in Hong Kong. I must admit, I'd doubts walking in due to the high acclaim this has garnered to date, but boy, I get it. It's a very refreshing short tale of two creators getting enamoured in the creative process and the fact that the creator himself shed tears over the adaption really feels like a irl lookback. Fujino's struggle to find why she's doing what she's doing might also be a reflection. Regardless of how accurate these may be or not, but this is just beautiful!

Shark kick = JJK references was a nice touch, lol. A complete contrast to the other more difficult to pick up subtleties in the film. For those who have watched the series, the whole parallel messaging idea of what could've been will definitely have multiple interpretations. My take? Considering the empty 4-panel manga, I feel like that resembled his next manga idea. He'd it all in his mind and that's why pasted that in front of his workspace.

Hand drawn quality is top-notch and the audio experience was awesome too. Solid 8/10 from here!
#Anime4Life be my Life Motto! #PrayForKyoAni


Sep 29, 10:01 PM
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Aug 2021
487
What a beautiful movie. A little heartbreaking and somber, but nothing you can't recover from. The humanity is this story is piercing-accurate. Anyone involved in anything artistic will feel the crushing feelings of the two mains from both sides in a way that makes you feel self-conscious and also kinda depressed. But all in all, it leaves you lingering with the thought of what makes a life worth living, even adding up the risks involved with setting out to face life and all its dangers and bullshit outside of your comfort zone when the amount of time you're given is never guaranteed.

It was a painful experience, but the nice kind.
Sep 30, 7:50 PM

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Mar 2008
1254
Perfect.
No, a bit more than perfect, because of a few very good additions.

This was how Chainsaw should be animated.
PaninaManinaSep 30, 8:31 PM
Oct 1, 1:35 PM

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Sep 2014
4839
I randomly decided to quit work early and go watch this movie since I noticed it aired only today in my cinemas, sadly thx to my astonishing timing and a late call from my boss I missed the first ~15 minutes, which definitely does not help when the movie is only an hour long to begin with.. so I will have to watch this again whenever it becomes available.

The animation was amazing, if I could make a wish I would want every one of Fujimotos works to get this level of care. It truly feels like his style has come to life, compared to CSM anime which felt very much like any other Mappa anime.

Sound and voice acting was great too. Always unbelievable to hear what newcomers can deliver.
Noticed a lot of CSM references throughout the movie.

Since I missed a good chunk of the plot I dont want to criticise it, it seemed surprisingly down to earth for something from Fujimoto, I expected some more madness. I guess the quasi time travel/delusion fits? Dont really know how what to think of this, it just sort of happened?

I will have to read the manga now. In any case this solidified my opinion that Fujimoto should just drop CSM and make more one shots/something new instead.

"This emotion is mine alone.
It is for Madoka alone." - Homura
or how I would descripe Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica.
Oct 1, 5:05 PM
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Feb 2015
46
finally had a chance to watch it in cinemas
prior i only knew of look back but not what the plot was other than the vaguest of synopsis, so i essentially went in blind.

absolutely blew me away, made me tear up several times.
it just hit so hard, especially as an artist / creator myself
watching the characters draw with so muchlove and passion made me miss when i used to draw way more than I do know.
especially the stacks of sketchbooks. I used to fill out a big book every 3 months and it was just me drawing and drawing and drawing.
now i moved mostly onto digital art, occasionally doodling into a sketch book i started 3(?) years ago, but I just went to buy a new set of sketchbooks to fill in.
most of my markers are probably dried up, but my inking pens should be fine.

I was sooo jealous watching the two bond, I wish I had someone liek this when I was yougn and drew tons. No one really drew but me, I was a bit the odd one out. I couldn't find anyone to draw with.
Now I've got some online friends to draw together with, but in person, that hits just different
Also this movie just came out at a good time for me, since I just started a doujin last december and am still working on it.
made everything in it resonate much harder had I not been into doujin drawing before
(already drew 4 page comics, but never anything beyond 15 pages, its hard work)

Anyway it's a bit hard to put in words how much I adore it, the movie asking "it's painful, lonely and hard work, so why do [we] still draw?"
I think everyone's answer will differ a bit, but personally, at the core it's probably something like "because I want to"

10/10, truly a formative movie I'll think about a lot going on
Oct 6, 2:18 PM

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Jul 2017
6750
Saw this film in theatres today and it was such a great experience as a whole, even if brief for a movie spanning roughly 1 hour only. The story was always really good but the overall direction, animation, music composition quality was so top notch and made it an even more immersive and complex experience as a whole.

Loved the interviews with the director and voice actresses shown after the film too where I saw it. Could feel the passion and effort ooze from the people involved and appreciated where the interpretation of the manga came from and how it was to be interpreted to work here in this film.
Oct 6, 3:09 PM

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May 2015
1892
Just came back from the movie theater.
It was an excellent movie. It felt like a passion project. I really liked the art and the bold decisions the director made towards the animation.
Things I didn't like:
Fujino's personality. What an awful personality for a main character. I feel like if it wasn't for her, the phone scene would have hit harder.
The movie length. The movie felt like it lacked more substance. It wasn't too short but it wasn't long enough to make an impact.

Again, the art was fabulous. Really enjoyed all the gloomy scenes. If Flowers of Evil ever gets a remake, I'd want something similar.
Oct 6, 3:27 PM

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Nov 2017
266
oh my god

beyond fantastic, that end credits song had me SOBBING
"Leonardo... it wasn't, by any means, only your eyes that we welcomed into Libra."
- Klaus von Reinherz
Oct 6, 3:36 PM

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Mar 2010
470
I haven't commented on a forum on MAL in close to a decade, but I wanted to log in and say this.

I had the pleasure of watching this film in a packed theater on a cold autumn afternoon. Everything about it, from top to bottom. The performances, the animation, the use of its music.. I was already a big fan of the one shot, but to see it fully adaptation on the screen was great. I love how some of the four panel comics got animated in the movie, it was such a small inclusion but it added so much.
ShibuyaRiverOct 6, 4:06 PM
あなたは日本の翻訳を使用しました。あなたは悪い人!
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Oct 6, 4:16 PM

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Apr 2016
1064
An excellent adaptation, beautifully animated as expected
I always appreciate a story that's a tribute to all the creators out there, while actors and singers are always the ones that seem to get the most glamorized in the public, creators are the ones most important to me.
The Chainsaw Man references with Shark Kick are great too
I love that Fujimoto has so much range as a mangaka to make something like this and something like Chainsaw Man
And kudos to everyone who worked on the film. from animation to voice acting to the music, it was all fantastic
Oct 6, 4:26 PM

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Jun 2014
7421
Got back from the theater and wow. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. This was cinema personified. The way they executed this, elevated the source material, the music, the voice acting, the emotions of the one-shot being brought to life....I really don't know what else to say. I'm speechless at how amazing this was. Even as I write this I'm still holding back tears. The whole team involved in making this deserve all the flowers in the world. A job well fucking done.

And I love how there were little nods and references to Chainsaw Man and Goodbye, Eri. Speaking of the latter, I'm gonna need a movie adaptation of that next, IMMEDIATELY.
People on MAL refuse to actually enjoy watching anime.

Your taste in anime isn't a personality trait.

MAL is literally just anime Twitter as its own website lol.


Oct 6, 4:48 PM
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Oct 2007
847
Good film, was kind of bothered they essentially used the Kyoani fire as a plot element. Kind of short as well
Oct 6, 4:49 PM

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May 2011
718
Beautiful movie.
Just how it was presented, the friendship and the growing up.
Really worth watching at the cinema.
Oct 6, 6:09 PM
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Apr 2024
33
i love look back i love tatsuki fujimoto i love fujino i love kymoto
Urmameh.newgrounds.com
Oct 6, 6:14 PM

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Nov 2021
657
Out of all the anime movies I've seen in theaters over the past 4 years or so, this one was by far the most packed. Probably nearing 100 people and almost sold out. I can't imagine how much money the Chainsaw Man movie will make here.
This was a perfectly adapted, it feels so surreal to be watching it in theaters after reading it not too long ago.
Oct 7, 9:46 AM
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Aug 2017
17
Reply to FragmantLemon
The time-travel / timeline aspect came out of nowhere, had me baffled for a bit. I don't actually know what I've seen even after coming out of the cinema lmao
@FragmantLemon I'd say that the 6th-dimension door slit at the end is the touch of gold, it really moved the whole story to a new level.

I have to be honest when I read the manga I was a bit confused of what's real and what's not, and I think the movie did a good job helping me understand it better (at least I think so).

The ending is definitely more open to different interpretations. But regardless if you think the time-travel actually happened or not (even if it happened, it may as well didn't happen for Fujino, because when she walks into the room, Kyoumoto was gone, R.I.P for good), the "never giving up" spirit stuck with Fujino, and she kept going.

Now that I'm thinking about it, Kyoumoto is the reason why Fujino kept on her hard work with manga. Just like how Kyoumoto said to Fujino that she's the reason why Kyoumoto got out of her room, if not for that moment, Fujino won't end up as a mangaka either (as we seen in the alternate timeline). So we can also interpret Kyoumoto as some abstract motivation that kept those people who didn't give up, it's like their best friend, regardless whether they actually existed or not.
Oct 7, 12:11 PM

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Jul 2016
2402
Hope Goodbye Eri gets an adaption too, preferably with a pinch of fantasy added
Oct 7, 5:38 PM

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Dec 2020
342
well that was an absolutely devastating masterpiece

i saw it in theaters i don't know what to do with myself rn
Oct 7, 6:13 PM

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Feb 2021
6800
Really good movie, maybe too short I wish there was even more.
But the final scene was amazing, really sad story.
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