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Oct 8, 2024
'Then why do you draw, Fujino?'
Before entering the theatres to watch this movie, I did not know what to expect, really. I'd read other works by the author Tatsuki Fujimoto — such as Chainsaw Man and Goodbye Eri — but not 'Look Back', and when I saw it was releasing in my city literally tomorrow (at the time) for screening, I impulsively bought a ticket, despite knowing next to nothing about the story. I'm not sure whether this limited or enhanced my experience, but regardless this 1 hour movie would leave me torn.
I won't waste your time with a detailed synopsis as it's easy to
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find, so I'll just cut to what I wanted to write in this review. To me, 'Look Back' is a masterpiece in human connection; how it portrays the experience of regret and the beauty of seemingly mundane moments we share with those we care about, as well as no matter how much we do care for someone, we cannot choose what's best for them. The relationship between the two main characters Fujino and Kyoumoto felt incredibly refreshing, each being so different yet so similar, making you route for them the whole way through, in spite of and because of the flaws they both held.
The movie also showcased a mastery in filmmaking and cinematography, utilized in a way I rarely see in anime. Very often there were prolonged scenes of a character's back (because look back, h a h a), and whenever you believe the scene was to cut away to another, it simply continues to roll, the only differences in the scene being the character making subtle movements and adjustments. A lot of the film felt as if we the audience were just getting a glimpse into someone's life, and I think that's exactly what this movie was. There were many wordless scenes where soft background music (composed by Haruka Nakamura) played over Fujino's and Kyoumoto's conversations or work, but never did these scenes feel dull or uninspired. There was silence because there was no need for anything to be said, and muted conversations because maybe they weren't for us to hear.
Fujimoto and the director Oshiyama definitely had a vision for 'Look Back', and I would say it truly came to fruition on the screen because of the immense work and visible creative energy they put into it, along with the talent of the voice actors and everyone else involved.
I did not give 'Look Back' a 10/10 when the lights brightened in the theatre and the credits rolled, but as I chatted about it and went home, I don't know why but I kept trying to figure out the meaning of the movie as a whole; the lesson or purpose 'Look Back' had set out for everyone viewing it. The more I tried to attribute symbolism and analogies to it, the more I thought back to each scene and moment, the more I understood that this movie is just life. I say this in the most metaphorically scarce way. Life isn't all metaphors and similes, it's a conglomerate of love, pains, jealousy, happiness, sorrows. Things happen because they happen. We may attribute disasters in our lives to some sort of twisted karma we hold, but in reality it's just how it is, and the world turns in spite of us, and in spite of it all. We can wish to rewind time, escape from reality for a while, but life goes on.
And that's okay.
I didn't cry in the theatre to 'Look Back', but the next morning in the mirror, I found tears falling down my cheeks. It was then I understood that all this time in the movie I was looking for closure and consolation, but knowing now that it was never needed for the story to be complete.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jan 7, 2021
'you're wrong. I like it because I like it.'
Ore ga Watashi ni Naru made is story that so far, is a gift that keeps on giving. I am somewhat disappointed about the lack of traction this series has (it doesn't even have a rating yet!!), but at the same time unsurprised, due to it's nature and topic of interest.
Despite this, I truly believe this is a manga that should not be shrugged off as a stereotypical gender bender, as for what I have read the purpose of this manga is to tear down the stereotypes that overlook all of us constantly. Anywho, onto the review.
Story:
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10/10
It is the story of Akira, the boy who turned girl in their sleep, yadda yadda yadda the typical things of trans fiction. Yet, the way that the story unfolds and is told is in a way that is much more than 'I turned into a girl one night and now I am living as a girl, oh no but also I'm kinda cute'. It is a coming of age story of a person slowly figuring out what it is and means to be a girl, while concurrently being a story of what it means to be yourself, whatever that may be or whatever body you may be residing in. It is a story of change, but also self acceptance. Akira often finds herself battling with fitting in, questioning her likes and dislikes stemming from the gender she has been unreadily assigned.
But it feels so relatable, as nobody chose their gender from the beginning, yet straight from the get-go the world already expects you to do/be certain things based on so. Akira is often frightened by the expectation he is to uphold of both male and female. Male (for the one's who knew him before the change), and female (the one's who knew her after). But in the end, Akira is just Akira, and will only be happy doing things that Akira enjoys, whatever 'side' it may be attuned to.
Everything about the plot is so cleverly set out and realistic (and usually cute), and I never felt like any interaction was dumb or unrealistic, as so much of it I could picture happening when I was the protagonists age. At least in my experience with reading this, there were so many moments that I believe could really change the way some people see the world and others for the better, at least in the generation I live in.
Art: 8/10
The art in this manga may seem roughly drawn with harsh lines and a bit wobbly at some times, but in no way for me did it take away from the story nor experience (though, I might be a little bias as I first read it in an even ROUGHER state).
Of course, the art really does get much better as the chapters go on, which I can't not appreciate (p.s. the cute moments get cuter <3).
Characters: 10/10
This is where the manga shines the most. I don't know if I'm just messed up, but nearly every character I felt like I could relate to on one level or another. While the story is focused and always told from the perspective of Akira, the way other characters are fleshed out is refreshing. I really could see a real personality in all of them, never feeling like a main character was made without thought and being typical cut and paste filler or solely a plot driver. Of course, Akira herself is so well thought out. Her character development through the series so far is on another level, without straying from realistic expectations, shattering any doubt that she did not earn what she got and to be how she is. My favourite dynamic though has to be Akira and her family that has known her before everything. Sometimes it shocks me how close her situation is to someone who is trans, that's all I have to say.
Enjoyment: 10/10
vvv
Overall..
I think maybe I just relate too much to this manga, as well as miss the life outside of quarantine, but still, this manga has everything. Even if you aren't into thinking too deeply and just want to leisurely read a comic for entertainment, you will still be able to enjoy this. It is relatable, sad, funny, dramatic, adorable, romantic; really just the whole pie, which is why I highly recommend this series. Anywho, have a good day/afternoon/night!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 19, 2017
(N0 SPOILERZS)ok i've been waiting since for literally 10 months to see thisss (august 2016) so i watched it minutes after it was release in eng sub,(may 17) and watched till like 1:26 am cause i took a ton of screen shots don't ask meh why, and it was actually worth ittt! I loved every part of it, i mean except for Ishida's attitude when he was young, but that was a part of him was crucial for the story. Basically this movie is about a 17 year old guy who regrets bullying a deaf girl for the only reason of being bored, and when
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she moved schools, everyone hated him and he was a loner, and now he finally saw the girl he bullied again after all these years, and he tries to make it right, even with the world against him. Since i read the manga like last year, i wasn't insanely judgemental on how the story has to be the exact same cause the manga isn't fresh in my brain, but i still wish the adaption was into tv episodes because they literally removed the entire movie making arc, like literally, it's not even there, and that removed some character from the side characters, like if you hadn't read the manga u'd be like why is this guy even here for one person, but i guess the movie peeps just decided to put their effort on the main, or had no more time. Anyways, imo, this is probably the best anime movie i've seen, because it's really unique in it's situations and interactions, and i just liked how some characters developed over the movie. Also it had all i neeeeed, funny moments, crying moments, dramatic moments, and some half romantic momentooo. last thing, the graphics are like, holy reAL lYfE DID U SEE THAT NIKON CAMERA GAWDDSDAEYM
P.S. this movie is for u if you like great story, sign language, epicness, and a little love <3
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 27, 2016
Soo this is my first review, so I don't really know how to write one but meh this'll be live practice or something.
All I can say is this manga is amazing. I picked it up awhile back since it was recommended after I finished like Koe no Katachi or something I forgot xd but I glad I did, because after every chapter I felt good for some reason. Like it has everything I need basically to keep on living (dw not litera-). Even though it kind of repeats the same plot, Nishikata super sure he can prank Takagi that day but always fails like no
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matter what and at the same time Takagi's way of beating him hits the heart spot. The uh, heart strings I think that's what it is welp off topic ;3. Even though these events mostly occur in each chapter, it's still entertaining and heartwarming since the entire time your always thinking 'ok these 2wo better get married or I'm gonna come over to the writer and wan paaaaaawnch.' Just, idk why I love this so much but if you haven't read it yet PLEASE DO!!!
Nishikata, having planned something: "let's play a game, you can choose! Hehe"
Takagi: "hmm... Fine, if you can kiss me, you win!"
Nishikata, flustered: "wha..?! ...T-that's not fair!"
Takagi grins: "mm, ok then if I can kiss you, then I, win."
N-nishikata: h-huh?!!? >//w//<
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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