Crunchyroll's Anime Film Of The Year Receives A Major Update

Tatsuki Fujimoto is undoubtedly one of the greatest mangaka of all time. He is mostly known for his shonen manga, Chainsaw Man, so many fans believe that it’s his best project. But those familiar with other works strongly disagree. They firmly believe that Fujimoto has written better titles. One such book is Look Back. The author released the one-shot in 2021, and in 2024, an animated movie based on the title premiered on streaming services. The movie was lauded by fans and critics for its brilliant story and phenomenal characters.

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The movie even ended up winning Crunchyroll’s Anime Film of the Year award in 2024, which was another feather in its cap. Crunchyroll awards are held in higher regard than others, so when an anime wins an accolade, it ends up receiving a major popularity boost. Look Back also received this benefit as more people came to know about the movie.

Look Back Live Action Movie Has Been Announced

Look Back Live Action Movie Will Release In 2026

Look Back’s live-action movie will be released in 2026
Look Back’s new adaptation will be directed by the legendary Hirokazu Kore-eda

Fans who adore Tatsuki Fujimoto’s works have had a tremendous year. Not only did they get to enjoy the critically acclaimed Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze Arc, but they also experienced the adaptation of Fujimoto’s 17–26. Most fan bases would be happy if they witnessed just one of the two things, but Chainsaw Man got lucky in 2025. However, the excitement is far from over, as it has been confirmed that Look Back will be receiving a live-action adaptation. Look Back’s live-action movie will be released in 2026. An exact release date hasn’t been shared, but it should be disclosed in the coming weeks.

The movie will be directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, a well-known Japanese director. He is nothing short of a living legend, who is responsible for projects like Nobody Knows, Still Walking, Monster, and Shoplifters. Having a director of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s caliber work on Look Back’s live-action movie is a huge deal. Given the masterpieces that he has produced, there is no doubt that Look Back is going to be a massive hit. Another thing worth mentioning is that Hirokazu Kore-eda has read Look Back, and he appreciates the author’s efforts. In fact, Fujimoto’s work resonated with him.

“On a return trip from Kyoto to Tokyo, I was drawn to a figure’s back on the cover of a book in a bookstore at Shinagawa Station. Without thinking, I picked a copy up—that was my first encounter with Look Back. That night, I read it in one sitting. Though manga and film are different genres, as a fellow creator, I felt the desperate resolve behind this work. I could feel, almost painfully, that Mr. Fujimoto simply couldn’t move forward without creating this piece. For me, Nobody Knows was that kind of work.”

Kore-eda Look Back was shot in Nikaho City, and the movie is presently in post-production. Two visuals from the movie have also been revealed, and Ayumu Fujino and Kyomoto feature in both of them.

Fujimoto was asked about Hirokazu Kore-eda directing the Look Back live-action movie, to which he responded, “If director Kore-eda is going to film Look Back, I have nothing more to say. I’m looking forward to it!” It’s quite apparent that both Fujimoto and Kore-eda have a great deal of respect for each other.

Chainsaw Man Season 2 Hasn’t Been Announced Yet

Denji meets Reze in the phone booth - Chainsaw Man

As previously stated, Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze Arc was released in September 2025, and it received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the audience. The movie may not have earned as much as Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, but it managed to score a higher rating on MyAnimeList. Currently, it has a rating of 9.18, which puts it above the likes of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter, and Monster.

The real truth is…I’m tired…of eatin’ stuff like toast with jam for breakfast…! What I really want…is to eat steak for breakfast every morning! I know I shouldn’t! I know it’s terrible!

Before the movie’s premiere, there was a great deal of speculation that there would be some kind of announcement related to the next season of the anime. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, which left fans disappointed. Now fans have to be patient and wait until the official social media accounts share an update.

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Due to the lack of news, it’s hard to estimate when the studio is planning to release the new season. MAPPA is releasing two massive projects in January 2026, so it’s highly unlikely that the studio has enough members to work on Chainsaw Man Season 2. However, fans shouldn’t lose hope, as Chainsaw Man is confirmed to be present at Jump Festa 2026. The series has Jump Super Stage, meaning there’s a strong possibility of fans receiving an update pertaining to Chainsaw Man. If one were to make an assumption about the release date, it’s likely that Chainsaw Man Season 2 will air in 2027, as anything before that seems impossible.

Look Back is available to stream on Crunchyroll.