Look Back: A One-Shot Manga Masterpiece

[@NezumiVA]

Pinned comment question: what's your fondest memory of bonding over a piece of art with someone? (Whether it be yours, or somebody else's.)

[@movelea]

When I read Bloom Into You, there were a pair of full page panels that mirrored the way my friend and I expressed our love for one another. I shared it with them immediately^^

[@punkitt]

I played Deltarune with my boyfriend recently, and the experience of playing a favorite game of mine with a favorite person of mine was just...really special. It wasn't anything particularly emotionally cathartic, just overwhelming pleasant...and it was lovely. :D

[@seinorlemon]

Over the years iv'e found many freinds through art, and this analysis almost made me cy, iv'e never taken it very seriously, but I wanted to be an artist for the longest time, but its not my strongest suit, or at least what people say my strongest is. I have a high iq and pretty much have everything going for me in terms of being intelligent, and everyone loads that on me. Despite that I always feel the best when I.. draw somehow, iv'e always adored seeing classmates draw such intricate peices and longed to get as good as they are, I feel far more fulfilled when I complete something, and I look back and am so happy with it. Out of everything my favorite interactions were with a freind who I always looked to get as good as, and thats why this analysis almost made me sob, I sometimes wonder how they're doing now, and I call them every now and then too. This whole video reminded me why I even care about art, and why I love it so so much, why despite everything people tell me I need to do in life, I always know that I have something I genuinley enjoy, and always will.

[@driphearts8035]

I think it was when I watched Promare with my friend Rebekah. I knew her for just a week, and she came over to my house to watch it with me. The movie was amazing from an animation perspective and other areas, but the main piece was noticing something. In that moment, I looked at her, her eyes glistening with the same type and amount of joy I had for my own passions, I told myself "this is the girl I want to spend my life with." On October 2nd, 2021, me and her officially started dating. We have had our downs, but she's been amazing through and through for all this time I've been with her. Thank you, Promare.

[@moomoo3689]

My father's art. My brother was out camping for the day, so my dad and I went to the coast for fun. I brought my sketchpad so i could try and draw something, so my dad did the same. As we watched waves crash onto rocks, I was cold and by the end of all my drawing, I was spent and unsatisfied with what I came up with. My dad had however finished his drawing. When he showed it to me, it was a stick figure of me and the surrounds we were in, which was very messy. I laughed and said I love it. After that, while small, he inspired me to believe in myself a little more. Now, whenever I complete a piece, I go to him because i know out of all the unwanted comments others will give me, or the details or things about that piece I don't want others to notice, when he sees things like that, he laughs. He'll laughs and says he love it. And that is the most important thing anyone will ever have to say.

[@driphearts8035]

Tatsuki Fujimoto has such an amazing grasp on the human face and emotion. His ability to show realistic and raw reactions is what makes him so special.

[@BedirKhan]

I think what makes it feel unique is that Fujimoto's style is more realistic, the face and such dont have much exaggerated features so the emotion feels genuine

[@Alex-bw6yd]

@@driphearts8035 not only that but his paneling too. He’s got an amazing grasp on storytelling through his paneling, there doesn’t have to be a single ounce of dialogue and things can very slightly change or not change at all.

[@gi0rdangalanza325]

@@driphearts8035 do you like swords?

[@joyous18]

15:09 when Shark man said, "Its sharkin' time" was truly one of the moments ever in manga

[@a_random_W]

He shark my man till i baby

[@rin-io7]

i thought he said “it’s shark time baby”

[@eromangasensei9406]

I come from the Future to say ITS GETTING AN ANIMATED FILM!!!!

[@gensischosen251]

Not just an anime, it’s an anime film

[@Ark_knight0]

A movie*

[@SYDDOWIDOW]

I come from the future FUTURE to say THE TRAILER JUST DROPPED

[@Ark_knight0]

@@SYDDOWIDOW and it is amazing

[@thirdwheel9938]

Yeah, and one of the main animators had to sleep on the animation studio for a month due to overwork :/ I love this one shot and I was very happy to hear it was getting an adaptation, but now I'm definitely looking forward to watch a bootleg instead. I have no desire to support a film with such human rights violations behind it, it's really bitter too considering look back's themes and overall message

[@Flarban]

the double-spread scene of her running and flailing her arms around in the rain is just so so kino, its hard to put into words the feelings that scene puts out. being happy, but embarrassed, embarrassed you're happy, excited and cringing thinking about why you did that thing you just did. Fujino's face crunched up resisting a smile but blushing, its raining but shes skipped home arms wide open. Total kino

[@finchert]

@@Flarban came here after watching the anime and i couldn’t word it any better

[@Niphyne_Michaels]

This is really touching 😭. To all artist struggling out there, keep going guys. We need you.

[@corn2454]

I'm an artist myself. I'm not skilled at anything really, I'm not creative and have very few ideas in general, and I have very few, if any friends. I'm not intelligent in the slightest either. Art has not really connected me to others but it's always been there to me, I've drawn my entire life and I've suffered untold hours trying to improve and gone through immense amounts of stress over my work. I still could never give it up. The few scraps of a story I have in the form of my characters bring me a simple joy I cannot really describe. It just feels nice to get something out there, to bring into existence something that could only be created like me. It makes me feel like I have value, some sort of purpose in a world where it's hard to find any at all. Because of that I highly doubt I could ever give up art. There are other reasons too but art is really the reason I live my life at all, it feels like my calling and I don't think I'd have it any other way.

[@NelsonStJames]

Artists such as you will never be threatened by AI, because you are creating art in the purest sense of the word.

[@blo.8679]

Never lose your drive man!

[@CatPawLover]

People, PLEASE watch the movie. I watched it today and was in tears the entire second half. It's beautifully animated with perfect framing, heartwarming art, and amazing voice actors. Genuinely such a hard hitter.

[@ScuffedF]

@@CatPawLover Best movie I have seen this year. Hands down.

[@JeffreyBernabe]

Didn't know the manga. Already in tears 10 mins in of the film

[@isabelleliu995]

Originally, I finished Look Back thinking that the message was that finding enjoyment in art by connecting with others who are also committed artists and growing your skills. But after watching this video, a whole deeper meaning clicked in my brain: 13:52 "Fujino remembers what art is good for. Though it's tiring and it can drain so much time and work out of us, it's also a medium by which we can communicate our ideas and ourselves to other people. Connect with those people and make meaningful lasting memories, based around our attachments to and enjoyment of our work and the works of others we respect and care for." The FIRST example of this message truly reveals itself when Fujino meets Kyomoto for the first time. Kyomoto heartfeltly tells her how much Fujino's work inspired her and added a new sense of excitement and anticipation to the school manga strip when she connected with Fujino's initial work in the form of her funny comic strips. This same message ends Look Back when Fujino goes to Kyomoto's house once more, and realizes that it was not only the everlasting memories with Kyomoto that inspired and propelled her to go this far in the art industry, but the eternalization of each other's passion and character and that they imprinted in each page. When Fujino finishes reading Shark Kick and leaves her house, she is reminded of how their hours, days, months of sacrifice into their work will carry remnants of their history - a reminder of the impact they gave each other (and the readers of their comics) that will push them to move on and work harder.

[@coffin29]

To be an artist can be such a lonely life. You lose a part of yourself, (in this case, literally) but you carry on. Art connects people, and the memories will live on as one looks back on it. It's a beautiful message and a well-told story. Great video by the way. Very well put together.

[@user-ri9ci6fg6l]

Look Back is so good because it really reminds you that the best part of art is really not even the creation itself, it's the 'self' you yourself pour into them. I feel like when people talk about art they make it into this thing where it's all 'you can't even comprehend what made the artist think or feel like this and all of the meaning behind it'... but I feel like not all 'art' is supposed to be super meaningful. I don't consider my art to be meaningful in any circumstance. And im sure a lot of people wouldn't consider a comic like what Fujino makes at the beginning of the story to be incredibly meaningful either - it's a kids funny stories that aren't supposed to evoke any feeling besides maybe to make you laugh. Regardless, art is still 'meaningful' because it is your very own creation. It has a piece of you inside of it. And when you share that art with other people, put it up in a gallery or post it on the internet, you are exposing a piece of yourself in the process. I'm a really introverted person - almost to the degree that Kyomoto is in the beginning - so the idea of exposing myself like that is scary, even when my work isn't all that personal. It still shows your thoughts and ideas and emotions, it is an incredibly clear form of self expression. I mean even when you draw you have a habit of making the same face as the person you're drawing. And Look Back really shows that the enjoyment that can be derived from art is mainly taken from the people you share it with - not their praise, but how you can work on something side by side, expressing every idea and belief you have and how that informs your ideas for the art itself, and share it to other people together. I hope one day I get to feel what it's like to work on art with someone else together

[@Mira_Mira_0n_The_Wall]

I recently realised that I don't enjoy making art or the creative process. I used to draw (and got quite good at it) only because of the praise I got from others looking at my artwork and so for a long time I thought art was about the finished product. But I've come to realise that's not the case. I could never relate to real artist, who enjoyed what they did just for the sake of creating and so I stopped drawing. I was sad about it but I moved on, realising it's okay to give up on something if it's unachievable. Though I still want to express myself, I want to create art and most of all I want to enjoy it. I am still looking for the right art form for me, so wish me luck on that journey. And please remember, it's okay to not enjoy something everyone else is enjoying ♡

[@badkidz92]

@@Mira_Mira_0n_The_Wall hope you find it! :D

[@Riomulen]

Zamn, you spoke for me right there. I created a lot less art the past 2 years. Find it harder to endure the tiresome process of drawing. We might never see each other's art forever but good luck to you!!

[@mobpsy1526]

Thank you for the precious statement. So often I read that if you feel emptiness/meaninglesness you should create some form of art. But not everyone can enjoy the process or has to find some really specific form of it.

[@BusterCorp]

....dang. I legit started tearing up over this. Thank you so much for making this and sharing this amazing story.

[@srna_cx]

I just finished this movie. And it's cut me deep. But also I think I truly needed it.

[@ethernian2461]

@@srna_cx Oh hey same. I also finished the movie literally forty minutes ago. Absolutely loved it. God it just makes me want to write so badly.

[@hemanthkumarjalluri6551]

I really wish this one-shot to get an adaptation like a movie or a OVA cause it'll be cool and depressing yk.

[@Ark_knight0]

Well, *it actually might* In an interview mappa's ceo said that they want to adapt all of tatsuki fujimoto's works

[@benhiller1285]

It's your lucky day

[@carlosesquivel1823]

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say

[@hemanthkumarjalluri6551]

@@carlosesquivel1823 😂😂😂

[@mariocop7184]

I have good news

[@ryoki_PH]

God, you've convinced me to go read this. I'm a visual 2D artist myself who also has an interest in making manga/comics, and as I'm reaching points in my life where I have to consider how I can use my art in my adulthood (even further complicated by my neurodivergencies), I am almost constantly thinking about the importance and process of what I'm making and then, how it can be "useful" to give me money in this capitalist hellscape. And I think this manga can really help me with thinking about that. Plus, the art of the manga itself is just simply amazing, the shading and character posing especially really gets me, it's all beautiful and skilled to a fault, and it sucks I hadn't heard of it before! Thank you for making a video about it. :]

[@maries.7494]

Fujimoto's one shots have been amazing. I read look back again after reading "goodbye, eri" and God, this man is special. Thank you so much for the video, it made me tear up a little.

[@shakeyboi3770]

Looking back on this video right after the anime movie has been released digitally.

[@Nani-xm1kb]

Well I’m crying now, good video though.

[@Nani-xm1kb]

I was just planning to listen to this in the background , wasn’t expecting it to utterly obliterate me with a mental breakdown, this was such a good video but holy hesus why

[@Nani-xm1kb]

I WAS LEGIT DRAWING AND HAD TO STOP MID WATCH CAUSE IT GOT TOO REAL

[@TOMOMIKIKI]

Ive had a relationship like this with an old childhood friend. I was more like fujino and she was like kyomoto. We bonded over art but as the years pasted we drifted away. I hope shes doing well now

[@emmavoid]

definitely a manga- and video- that i wanna share with my artist friends

[@enistoja]

the pain of creating art. thank you for sharing your view on this!

[@bearysweetgyu2774]

i recently read look back and i felt super emotional after finishing it but your analysis added so much more to my understanding and i felt super emotional again

[@MahiMahi-yu5jo]

I'm scared to watch the movie. I know I'll just being a crying mess at the end...

[@pumpkingamebox]

Apart from this being a master piece story. I was also been very terrified by the pickaxe villain. For his motives were the same as of Kyoani Arsonist. Oof.

[@human_i_swear]

regarding 8:52 , I also mention that at that point, theres some panels that are literally the exact same. The exact image copy pasted in the same format, signifying that time is passing, but possibly that Fujino is not truly growing as an artist or person. Orginially, her room become continously more and more cluttered with art and related materials, her new work room not only stays the same, but is a sterile, empty office

[@FinnTheGentleman]

Incredible video, subscribed. I really really want that panel of Fujino running in the rain and feeling that freedom of self-doubt lifting off of her as a tattoo. It's one of my favourite Fujimoto panels he's ever done

[@yenmink]

this was wonderfully made, it really touches that part of my soul as to why I even create art in the first place. thank you for making this video, truly :)

[@Akitektur]

Today I watched the film in the cinema an dit was great. I had read the manga back in 2022, and the film definitely did it justice. Probably one of my favourite anime films ever, especially in todays world

[@hirone5337]

I liked the manga so much and recently I bought the one shot … now it is in my library and I’m so happy

[@JoJo-zd5tm]

I hadn't read the Oneshot. Whats funny is that when I decided I wanted to read it, a movie for this was announced. So I waited. I watched the movie 2 TIMES. My 1st time was an EXPERIENCE I will hold dear to my heart forever. I was mute, confused, happy, sad, crying.....There was lots of emotions I was put through by the end of the movie. The 2nd time I watched was for more appreciation of the animation and OST. And to support the film and creators of this beautiful work 😄. I also wanted to pick on parts I missed because of my investment the first watch around. This work for me is a tour de force for me. I love it.

[@philinegro]

That was awesome! Thank you for sharing and the effort this took 🙏🏾

[@eiyuuousubs]

this is by far my favourite video from you and im stunned it has so little attention in comparison to your other uploads, the way you deliver it is so touching... im glad i found your channel :)

[@SpiderKnife1]

Superb video. Thank you! 🙏

[@Grizzleboi]

I resent this video for making me bawl like a baby

[@frandolled]

what a wonderful video!! you did such a good job! 🖤 this really got me in the heart, being an artist myself ;v;

[@jpeckdraws3932]

To create a powerful manga inspire others is my dream ✨️ to all other manga or inspiring manga artists you got this 😀👍

[@kcryrine5056]

what a beautiful video! hope it gets more views with the movie coming out

[@brycecartwright2403]

Returning here because of that jaw dropping trailer. Would love to see you talk about the adaptation or any of Fujimotos other works like Goodbye Eri or, of course, Chainsaw Man.

[@SauceyNoodle]

A sonic oc pfp in 2021? I wasn’t ready for that nostalgia

[@NezumiVA]

It’s a fun brand to have, haha

[@brunoreinhardt1182]

Beautiful review! Thanks for this 🎉

[@Lavendernewy]

This is such a beautiful video and I really want to say thank you for it

[@cookiesyruplover]

Thank you for making this video and shining light to this beautiful gem!

[@daniellin1726]

And this message draws parallel to Berserk as well.

[@santiagowho]

There was someone I used to draw with that brought me so much peace, The same thing that makes life so great also meant that i would not stay in that spot forever.

[@nyannyan443]

I'm back here a few weeks after watching the movie. I bawled as much (if not more) than when I first read the manga. I'm still crying right now as I'm listening 🥹

[@AratakaReigen497]

Such an awesome video. Your narration perfectly captured the emotions I felt reading this ❤

[@b00shy68]

I was reading two days ago and the news of kyomoto dying hit like a fucking tank was launched at me at the speed of A-Train

[@unique4mebiz441]

Awesome analysis video on look back man

[@5TVPL3]

Anime coming out soon!

[@jahovachite]

Fuck man the media of manga and anime tell such stories that encase a feeling of nostalgia never had or times we all long for but at the end of the day they all make us feel the same human emotions. Saddening and beautiful how we are all alike and so vastly different. Good analysis and great points I got here by circumstance but glad all the same keep up the good work fam

[@Paracetamolecito]

Im an artist, never saw myself as one, i have now worked on several zines and projects, growing up i saw art as a lesser thing, a hobby in which i knew i should invest myself less and less bc ultimately i was studying in the medical field, not to draw, i was already set up to give up and i couldn't even call myself an artist, then i met someone who became my creative partner, he was a great artist and writer too who admired my work and i admired his, he included me in plenty works and publications on his own, then i would dare myself to keep pushing and improving on my own so i applied to projects and even got paid plus merch and such each time, now we spend our days working as romantic partners with cats in our everyday jobs but in our free time we work on a shared project for his novel and i draw, why do i draw? Bc its truly something where i can only just do not bc i have to, but bc i can

[@satouanimation5368]

... I.. I'm speechless... My eyes... I can't stop the water from came out

[@MoKuZai]

yeah...

[@hunterprt1274]

I love how KZbin ALWAYS pairs Look Back with the movie “Look Who’s Back” (a movie about Hitler coming back to life) and its so funny seeing this wholesome yet sad one shot be paired with the fucking “Hitler - Viva la vida” edit LMAOOO

[@pinpompompurin]

Thank you soooo much! Such a beautiful video💖

[@TimsGamesDoneHard]

I read the manga before watching the video, and cried. Watched the video and cried again. Thank you :')

[@渡辺優子-c2o]

The author has given part of their own name to the names of two characters in the story. This can be interpreted as meaning that these two characters symbolize the author themselves. I believe the author has expressed the answer to 'Why do I continue to write manga?' through this work. In other words, the author wants to convey the message that 'writing manga is tough. It’s much better to read manga than to draw it. But the reason I write manga is because there are people who laugh and cry when they read my work.' I think that is the beauty of an unseen heart of FUJIMOTO SENSEI (or creator).

[@jackold9834]

This was brilliant! Great analysis and coverage of the manga!

[@anormaluser5750]

You deserve so much more views, this is such a beautiful video. I have a new fav content creator and you have a new sub

[@y.f8139]

i'm crying like a bitch right now this video was absolutely amaizng

[@brycecartwright2403]

Tatsuki Fujimoto is a goddamn brilliant writer who has made some of my absolute favorite media in recent years. Fire punch is wild and brutal, Look Back is a genius rollercoaster of emotions, Goodbye Eri is probably his best work and one of the most impressive and interesting things I’ve ever read, and Chainsaw Man might be my favorite manga If not one of my favorite pieces of media ever made. Dudes so talented and I cannot wait to see what he does next through CSM part 2 and beyond

[@SlickEvan]

I was *not* trying to be this sad this morning. Such is a sad but really great story that I thank you for introducing me to...

[@gaalanonim4503]

I've just now realized that every story I've read from Fujimoto - be it Chainsawman, Fire Punch, Look Back and Goodbye, Eri moved me deeply at least once with very different types of scenes. I think Fujimoto might truly be special to me and I gotta sleep on that realization. Damn.

[@trashymc4564]

Comment for the algorithm. Praise be to the algorithm please spread this brilliant video.

[@lazyartiste_2357]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I really hope your channel will do well. Keep up it!

[@remuvs]

Kyomoto deserved the world, I will never forgive Fujimoto for what he has done to her ; - ;

[@GantzGeo]

Just finished reading it. My god I did not see that part coming, it really hit me man.

[@teloiiv]

When I was 13 and read Look Back for the first time I geniuely cried and I don't even know why 💀 it's just art

[@NezumiVA]

Hey, nothing weird about that at all 😊 Art's how we express ourselves, our lives, our emotions...Things we can't just easily put into words. I don't think we as a species could thrive at all without it.

[@tartali63]

im not watching this vid because i just wanted to come here to say ITS GETTING A MOVIE!!!!

[@Krievei]

This shit made me cry

[@cratag7190]

Undertale background music

[@Chesterpie]

this vid was cool :) made me want to pick up drawing manga again

[@riddlerdiddler1425]

Great job

[@saulgoodman5324]

it stung my heart so badly

[@kiwi_bird]

Damn, I wish I could like this twice 😭

[@2shadowgamer2]

Hell yeah! New video!

[@kieranboelman5621]

great video you got my subscribe

[@DwAboutItManFr]

Yeha i am cryint again.

[@lucasgelati]

Fantastic!

[@rodrigo3732]

Ohh dude,the umineko soundtrack made everything even heavier

[@ikenaiartistadigital5128]

And then AI was released and everything got ruined

[@kazu-n3751]

Fuji(no)+(Kyo)moto=

[@paulw.1965]

Damn this shit 🔥🔥🔥

[@AsherSD]

Video starts at 1:45

[@slayerofcrusadersandsmallh6404]

Ahhhhhhhh.

[@quantumlasagna4669]

Contentttt

[@NezumiVA]

Feeds it to my viewers like baby birds

[@mackabnormal8375]

good video 👍

[@GuiltyGal]

FUJIno KyoMOTO = FUJIMOTO!!! 😎👍

[@aurzelli]

o7 Kyoto Animation.

[@ryancier]

omg it's girl bakumon

[@dASto371]

BECAUSE I WANNA BE GOD thas wy i create art

[@gawixone]

nice

[@Cyanobacteria.k]

Yo

[@isamekailmahmud9302]

so does fujimoto keep making his manga because of his fans?

[@michuumichowski]

Late answer, but yeah

[@gamebond6248]

What is the soundtrack at first?

[@ItsShaz1]

Ayyy

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

Irrelevant, but Haikyu is GOATed

[@quemira1207]

AUUUGDHHDH 😭😭

[@theplaylistmaker1846]

Yo im early :0